Helios Natural Healthcare

I’ve been off-line for a while doing field research for the next set of blogs I have planned; a series of articles about finding bliss and building a strong mind and body, while practicing the primitive and “no props required” sport of running. Armed with a solid understanding of human biomechanics, and some select training advice I had picked up over the years from articles in publications like Runner’s World and Running Times, and books like Born to Run (by Christopher McDougall) and Chi Running (by Danny Dreyer), I took to the trails, tracks, and streets with the intent of running a relatively competitive marathon, while remaining (and this is key) injury-free. I chose the marathon because it is a run that fascinates me, but I think useful information for any length of run, walk or jog can be taken from what I learned. My hope in sharing the ups and downs of my training adventures is that I will incite another to get out and find the physical activity that makes her feel like she can fly.

The venue I chose for this undertaking was the Inaugural Oakland Running Festival Marathon, as I felt the excitement of a first ever event might conjure up some extra inspiration for me. I started training in December 2009, following recovery from an injury-filled marathon that I had recently, and just barely, finished. Using the Less is More Marathon Plan from the August 2004 issue of Runner’s World, I committed to three days of running per week, and two days of cross-training. Some weeks I made better than good on this pledge and other weeks, not as much. Regardless, I continued forward, leaving those perceived failures in my dust. Earlier in the year, I had happened upon what proved to be a very useful lecture along these lines during a continuing education course. The talk was given by a chiropractor, Dr. Eric Plasker, about his book, The 100 Year Lifestyle. He made several points that resonated with me, but one particular idea proved invaluable to my training psychology. In explaining his proposed principles for living long and with quality, he said something like “aim for progress, not perfection.” He went on to explain that dwelling on past shortcomings is completely useless, and that we generally accomplish our goals, not in one large jump, but in a series of smaller steps. We also fall off course sometimes – this is normal human nature, not failure. When this happens, the only focus we need is that of getting back on track. As long as we have net forward motion at the checkpoints, we are successful. And, without the baggage of all that dwelling, forward motion is likely. Using Dr. Plasker’s advice, I progressed through this training schedule, trudged at times, and didn’t worry about the lack of perfection in my training. At the end of it all, I felt strong, prepared and, most importantly, incredibly excited for the event.

In addition to running and cross-training, which included cycling, walking, hiking, and yoga, I focused as much on daily core stabilization exercises and stretching. From basic biomechanics, I knew that good posture during motion is critical to injury prevention, and also that good posture is impossible without optimal mobility of the joints, muscles and connective tissues, as well as strong and activated core musculature. Danny Dreyer talks about this at length in his book, Chi Running, and I will write more later about how this made all the difference for me. I gave equal attention to nutrition, both in my overall diet for building strength and endurance over the training period, and in the specifics during the longer runs for preventing “bonking” at the higher mileage. I had experienced the pitfalls of electrolyte imbalance and nutrient deficit in past events, and was impressed by the difference a little planning could make for this one. I didn’t get the race day nutrition perfect, but was content with the extra insight this shortcoming provided.

At the onset of this project, I hoped for good subject matter to write about and an experience that would either support or refute my previously held ideas about endurance training. As I progressed through the plan, however, I found more; that the positive side effects of exercising in a deliberate and self-preserving manner, for reasons other than winning or firming up the thighs, completely steamroll any other motivations one might have. I wasn’t crushed by the heaviness of the commitments, but instead felt empowered, energized, and elated. I came to understand the runner’s high, but it didn’t come from where I thought it would.