How many times have you heard the metaphor, “Life is a marathon”? It has been said so many times that it’s become cliché. However, the reason that things become cliché is because they are basically true.

Believe it or not, last Saturday’s 50-mile run for me was one of the best, most enjoyable runs I’ve ever done. That’s not to say that it was easy or that I didn’t “run” into some rough patches. I will say, though, that there was not one time through the course of the day that I considered quitting. Even when things got a little dicey or lonely out there, I knew that if I just hung in long enough that it would get better.

We all face challenges in our lives. Do we just give up? No. We keep plugging away, and what happens? (more…)

On January 3rd, I am going to run my first 50-mile race. I’m a little nervous, but it’s more excitement than anxiety. I’ve done the training, I’ve done the research on the race and the course, and I’ve planned my race strategy. However, I know that all the planning in the world can change on race day. It will be…what it will be.

I’m not really sure what to expect as I’ve never run this long at one time.  My longest run to date is 40.48 miles, but that was in 2004. My most recent long runs have been back-to-back 20-milers a few weeks ago (on a Saturday and a Sunday) and a 50K (31 miles) race in November.

Part of my philosophy is to “Look for and expect good things to happen.” And, that is what I expect for Saturday. I’ll be running around Lake Mead in Nevada, and the scenery is reported to be spectacular. I can’t think of too many other things I would rather do than to spend the day running while taking in the beauty of nature.

50 miles may seem a little crazy to some people, but the idea of testing yourself is the same for everyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are running or walking  2 miles or 50 miles – the accomplishment is equally inspiring.

The distance will be a challenge, but I love challenges.  I will be testing my limits, but that is how we grow.

So, find a way to challenge yourself – to test your limits – to do something that previously you might not have thought possible. I know it will be worth the effort.

Happy New Year! January 1st is the symbolic “new beginning” of every year. It’s the day you hit the “restart” button. It’s the day most people make resolutions.

For me, it’s really just another day. It’s fun to hang up a new Runner’s World calendar, start a new day planner, begin a new running log. Setting resolutions works for some people, but I prefer to set goals year round. Goal setting for me is a continuous, ever growing activity. In the middle of 2008, I started making my plans for 2009. And, I already have 2010 races on my calendar.

I recognize that running and planning races is a little different than a lot of other activities. I have to plan my training, my travel, and other accommodations. So that, in itself, requires some advanced planning. However, I am a planner by nature, so it carries over into the other areas of my life.

So, if you’re one who sets New Year’s resolutions, why don’t you “resolve” to set resolutions all year. There is no rule that says you can only make resolutions at the beginning of the year.  Try something different this year. It’s a new year: Create  new adventures and enjoy new accomplishments! Good luck and have fun!

In one week, I’ll be running my first 50-mile race. I’ve been diligently following a training schedule, and I’m ready to give it a go. However, this past week, I’ve been unable to run outside at all. There is snow and ice everywhere! In fact, we had to cancel our (outside) training run with Boise RunWalk (our training group) for the first time ever. The running path was simply unsafe to run on, and it would have been irresponsible to lead a group of runners and walkers on such treacherous conditions.

That said, I’ve had to move indoors and train on a treadmill – and this week will probably be the same.  Not the ideal scenario for the last couple of weeks before a long race, but I’m lucky to be able to get my workouts in at all.

There was a time when I would have stressed out over this “kink” in my training plan – to be honest, a “kink” in any kind of plan would have caused anxiety. However, I’m totally ok with this minor obstacle, and I’ve asked myself: “What is the Opportunity?” in this.

There are several answers to that question: (more…)

A few days ago, I wrote a post about my back-to-back 20-mile runs and climbing the hills on the 2nd 20. Today, I have another “hill” post. If it seems like I’m obsessed with hills, maybe I am, just a little. I’m just so excited to be able to run hills!

When I decided to take on my ultrarunning adventures, one of my primary goals was to become a good hill runner. (more…)

My friend Dick Beardsley visited Idaho for the first time this week. On Tuesday night, Dick gave an inspirational talk here in Boise at The Pursuit. He continues to inspire people everywhere he goes with his message of hope and perseverance.  (more…)

This past weekend was a milestone for me. I did back-to-back 20-milers, and it was awesome! I had been getting psyched all week, and it’s all about what you “dial in” your brain. I knew that I would be running 20 miles on relatively flat on Saturday with 20 miles on hills on Sunday. I’ve never done a double 20 before, and I was so exhilarated to accomplish this endeavor.

On Saturday, our local running group – Boise RunWalk – met to begin the “winter session,” and I ran the first few miles with some folks from the group. After they turned around, I relaxed and ran the rest alone. I’m accustomed to solitary running and I enjoy it, so I had no trouble when I left the group. I felt pretty good when I finished – the greenbelt is pretty flat, so it was a typical 20-mile run.

Sunday was a little different story. (more…)

A few days ago, I suggested that you get started on your goals now instead of waiting until the New Year. Have you started yet? What’s stopping you? If you’re not sure how to get started, here are a few tips:

1. Do something today. Do anything. Go out and walk around the block. Do a few situps. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Just do something today.
2. Eliminate ALL excuses. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. The hardest part is getting started, so just start with 10 minutes. I KNOW you have 10 minutes you can spend walking or doing some kind of exercise. Not having the time is the biggest excuse. No more excuses!
3. Make it a habit. It only takes 21-30 days to form a new habit. So, do a little something everyday. Before you know it, you will have exercised for one month, then 2 months. After only one month of exercise, you’ll  notice a change in many aspects of your life…and you’ll love it. Stick with it, and form a new good habit.

Everyone is different, and we all have different views of exercise. Do what works for you. Make it fun. Set a goal. And enjoy your success!

December is here, and maybe you’re already thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. Personally, I’ve never been fond of the word “resolutions” in connection with “New Year’s.” So many resolutions get broken, and once it’s broken, you think, “Oh well, since I already broke my resolution, I don’t have to keep trying to keep it.” Resolutions are things that have to be “kept.” “Goals,” on the other hand, are ongoing and ever-changing, and if you don’t hit your target “goal” right away, you can modify it and keep working on it. You don’t abandon goals as easily as resolutions.

Also, why do we just set “resolutions” with the changing of a “new year”? Every day is the beginning of a “new year.”

So, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions on January 1, start today by setting a new goal. Why wait until January 1 when you can start now?

Thanksgiving is now over. Did you eat too much? Exercise too little? Are you already thinking about the Christmas holidays? Maybe you’re thinking that in 2009 – after the holidays – you’d like to lose 10 pounds.

Why don’t you try something totally different? Instead of shedding those 10 pounds beginning January 1, why don’t you make it your goal to LOSE a few pounds over the next month instead of GAINING a few pounds over the next month? Crazy idea, I know!

And, even crazier…Why don’t you start your exercise program now? “Now?” you ask, “It’s not 2009 yet.” Why wait? Get a headstart on all your friends. Start walking, running, join a gym. If you go to a local gym and tell them that you want their New Year’s special now, I’ll bet they’ll give it to you. In order to G-E-T, you have to A-S-K!

No more excuses or procrastination. The New Year starts today!

“You can’t hit a target that you can’t see” – I can hear the voice of Zig Ziglar saying those very words. “You gotta have a goal – and you have to picture what achieving that goal looks like.”

But what happens when you reach that goal? It feels great, you have a sense of accomplishment, you enjoy the moment. And afterwards, it’s not uncommon to feel a little bit of a letdown as you consider, “Now what?”

Part of what keeps us motivated and energized is to set new challenges for ourselves – goals that really stretch us, goals that require us to test our limits. The goals have to be hard. There is much more pleasure in realizing how much we are capable of achieving than there is in doing something that doesn’t require a lot of effort.

Now that I’ve run my first 50K on difficult trails, my next pursuit is to conquer a 50-mile race. This new challenge is not something that will be easy for me, but I love to stretch myself – I love the challenge. I remember when I ran my first 5K. At the time, I thought, “Man, this is really  hard.” But I went on to run 10Ks, half marathons, marathons, and ultramarathons – each time, going just a little farther than I thought I could at the time.

Obviously, I didn’t jump from the 5K to the 50K. Nothing happens overnight. Every time you set new goals, you build on all your past experiences. So, as you consider your new challenges – whether it’s losing 5 pounds or walking a mile without stopping – use the skills, knowledge, and confidence you gained through other endeavors, and you will be successful in your new pursuit.