This is "The Steepest Race in Europe" - The Red Bull 400 Planica. It looks terrible and awesome all at the same time. I wonder how long it would take my flatland legs to get me to the top.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Yoga and Attitude
Background:
I almost always have good intentions when it comes to stretching, but laziness or impatience usually kick in. The net result of this is that I wind up only stretching about 1-2 times a week for only about 15 minutes each time. I have a love/hate relationship with stretching. I recognize the benefits, but dislike the process, and I have never been flexible. I always got screwed in the President’s Fitness Challenge in elementary school. I would sail through all of the requirements until I got to the dreaded sit-and-reach. This was always frustrating/embarrassing since all of the girls could reach a full hands-length below their feet while I struggled to get my hands past my knees. Lately, I have been feeling that my lack of flexibility is contributing to various little injuries that keep cropping up and has been potentially hindering my performance. With that in mind, and my general reluctance to stretch, I decided to sign up for one month of Yoga classes. Since the 1 month pass is for “unlimited” classes, my goal would be to try to go at least 5 times per week. I figured that going to a class will force me to stretch for a full hour and build strength in a bunch of mostly neglected muscles. Prior to embarking on my 1 month yogathon, I had been to maybe 1 or 2 yoga classes and had decided that yoga pretty much sucks, a lot…. Which brings me to Attitude.
Attitude:
I can summarize my dislike of yoga by saying that all of the poses are uncomfortable/hurt, even the so-called “easy” or “resting” poses. In addition to that (and probably more significantly), I don’t like being bad at things. It is frustrating to watch people do things that I can’t do, and to do them seemingly without effort. I always think to myself that “I must be working harder than they are” or “there is no way they are suffering as much as I am” when, in reality, they are likely thinking the same things or have at some point. I am sure that everyone experiences this in whatever it is that they are pursuing from music, to sports, to knitting, but it still sucks. So, as I have been taking my yoga classes, I have been finding myself dwelling on these negative thoughts. Thinking about how stupid I must look, or how much harder I must be working than other people (if they only knew…), how I wish yoga studios weren’t so hot, how I wish we didn’t waste so much time on “focusing on our inner light” and other more spiritual matters and just got to stretching (I am not really in the mood to be relaxed and contemplative at 6:00 AM. If I am going to get up early I want it to be doing something, otherwise I should have just slept in!). What I have realized is that, despite the yoga instructor’s clear instructions to relax and focus on the present, I fester and dwell on the negative. So, the other day I decided to stop this. Stop focusing on the negative and just try to embrace the experience. If I stop dwelling on the parts I don’t like I may have time to savor the parts I do like. And it has worked, for the most part. Yoga still isn’t my favorite thing to be doing at 6:00AM (or any other time of the day), but I am able to appreciate the experience and focus on the benefits (both physical and mental). I have even found myself looking forward to it – not so much for the yoga, but for the chance to practice living in the moment….to practice getting stronger, physically, but, more importantly, mentally.
About Me
My name is Daniel Murphy. I live in Houston, Texas. I began running in 2005 when I decided that I would train for my first marathon. Since then, I have run numerous races on the roads and on the trails from distances ranging from the beer mile to 100 miles. I love running and the community of runners that I have the privilege to be a part of. For me running is about much more than just the fitness or the times on my watch. It is about the people, the adventures, the challenges, and the good times that inevitably ensue.
The Crowds I Run With
These are the groups that I have trained or run with:
Feel free to look us up and come out for a run!
My Gear
Here is a list of the gear that I use on most of my runs and some of my thoughts on that gear. I am not specifically advocating any of the gear, just sharing my opinions and preferences.
GPS:
Garmin Forerunner 305 - I have had this watch for over 3 years now and have been very happy with it. It is kind of big and clunky, but it works well and was cheap (compared to other GPS watches). I use the heart-rate monitor on most of my runs and really love this feature. I like that the battery lasts for over 10 hours, which makes it good for ultras. Even though it is billed as not being water proof, it is continually drenched in my sweat, I have dunked the watch more than a few times, and worn it in heavy rain without ever having issues. The watch does occasionally lock up, but a hard reset has fixed it every time.
Hydration:
CamelBak Quick Grip handheld water bottle - I have a few of these bottles and love them This is my main hydration for almost any run where I carry water (for long runs I even carry 2). They are insulated and keep your drink cold pretty well. I like the "jet valve" on top. It doesn't require any twisting or biting and it doesn't really leak. One drawback is that the pocket on the hand strap is pretty small and is really only big enough for 1 gel (you can squeeze 2 in but it is really tight).
Nathan HPL #020 race vest - I don't typically wear a hydration pack, but when I need to carry a little extra water and gear I will wear this one. I love the way it fits and love the pockets in front for quick access to gear or food. It doesn't bounce or wiggle and I can wear it all day without chafing. I have even worn it with no shirt for over 10 hours and not had any issues. I also like that the bladder opens up wide and is easy to fill with ice (and easy to clean).
Light:
AyUp headlamp- I LOVE this light. It is kind of pricey, but it rocks the party (and lights it up like daytime). My opinion is that the more light you have the faster you can run (or bike) at night. I have an older model that is 350 lumens and I have the half-epic battery pack. On high it lasts for about 3 hours, on low it will last around 8 (I have friends that have newer ones and theirs don't last quite as long). I don't mind wearing a headlamp and think this is perfectly comfortable. I have worn it all night long a few times and never had issues. It is good for running, biking, adventure racing, and more.
Shoes:
This could easily be an entire post or series of posts, so I will just keep it very brief here. As a quick background I have a wide foot and tend to over-pronate.
Road Shoes:
Nike Structure Triax - I have probably owned 10+ pairs of various versions of these shoes and have been wearing them for most of my running career. This are my old faithful companions.
Brooks Pure Cadence 2 - The newest addition to my "stable". I am really starting to like them a lot. The lower drop has taken some getting used to, but they are light, comfy, and make me want to go fast!
Hoka Stinson Evo Tarmac - Still not sure what to think of these shoes. I tried on all of the different Hoka models and these were the only ones that seemed to fit my foot. I only wear them occasionally on easy or recovery days. I just don't think they are right for me.
Trail Shoes:
New Balance Leadville 1210 - I have only had this shoe for a little while, but I am really loving it. My favorite trail shoe so far (for longer distances). Did Hell's Hills 50 miler in them pretty much right out of the box and they held up a lot better than I did!
New Balance MT110 - I bought these because Academy had them on sale for $30 and have wound up really liking them (and bought a second pair). I use these for shorter trail runs and races. They are perfect for the Tour de Bayou cross country races.
Clothes:
I don't really have any strong preferences here. I like shorts with lots of pockets, and I wear shirts from races (when I wear a shirt). I am also not that picky on socks. I prefer thicker socks and have been happy with the pairs of Wright Socks and Drymax socks that I have.
...and don't forget the BodyGlide. No, seriously, Don't Forget It! You will regret it!
GPS:
Garmin Forerunner 305 - I have had this watch for over 3 years now and have been very happy with it. It is kind of big and clunky, but it works well and was cheap (compared to other GPS watches). I use the heart-rate monitor on most of my runs and really love this feature. I like that the battery lasts for over 10 hours, which makes it good for ultras. Even though it is billed as not being water proof, it is continually drenched in my sweat, I have dunked the watch more than a few times, and worn it in heavy rain without ever having issues. The watch does occasionally lock up, but a hard reset has fixed it every time.
Hydration:
CamelBak Quick Grip handheld water bottle - I have a few of these bottles and love them This is my main hydration for almost any run where I carry water (for long runs I even carry 2). They are insulated and keep your drink cold pretty well. I like the "jet valve" on top. It doesn't require any twisting or biting and it doesn't really leak. One drawback is that the pocket on the hand strap is pretty small and is really only big enough for 1 gel (you can squeeze 2 in but it is really tight).
Nathan HPL #020 race vest - I don't typically wear a hydration pack, but when I need to carry a little extra water and gear I will wear this one. I love the way it fits and love the pockets in front for quick access to gear or food. It doesn't bounce or wiggle and I can wear it all day without chafing. I have even worn it with no shirt for over 10 hours and not had any issues. I also like that the bladder opens up wide and is easy to fill with ice (and easy to clean).
Light:
AyUp headlamp- I LOVE this light. It is kind of pricey, but it rocks the party (and lights it up like daytime). My opinion is that the more light you have the faster you can run (or bike) at night. I have an older model that is 350 lumens and I have the half-epic battery pack. On high it lasts for about 3 hours, on low it will last around 8 (I have friends that have newer ones and theirs don't last quite as long). I don't mind wearing a headlamp and think this is perfectly comfortable. I have worn it all night long a few times and never had issues. It is good for running, biking, adventure racing, and more.
Shoes:
This could easily be an entire post or series of posts, so I will just keep it very brief here. As a quick background I have a wide foot and tend to over-pronate.
Road Shoes:
Nike Structure Triax - I have probably owned 10+ pairs of various versions of these shoes and have been wearing them for most of my running career. This are my old faithful companions.
Brooks Pure Cadence 2 - The newest addition to my "stable". I am really starting to like them a lot. The lower drop has taken some getting used to, but they are light, comfy, and make me want to go fast!
Hoka Stinson Evo Tarmac - Still not sure what to think of these shoes. I tried on all of the different Hoka models and these were the only ones that seemed to fit my foot. I only wear them occasionally on easy or recovery days. I just don't think they are right for me.
Trail Shoes:
New Balance Leadville 1210 - I have only had this shoe for a little while, but I am really loving it. My favorite trail shoe so far (for longer distances). Did Hell's Hills 50 miler in them pretty much right out of the box and they held up a lot better than I did!
New Balance MT110 - I bought these because Academy had them on sale for $30 and have wound up really liking them (and bought a second pair). I use these for shorter trail runs and races. They are perfect for the Tour de Bayou cross country races.
Clothes:
I don't really have any strong preferences here. I like shorts with lots of pockets, and I wear shirts from races (when I wear a shirt). I am also not that picky on socks. I prefer thicker socks and have been happy with the pairs of Wright Socks and Drymax socks that I have.
...and don't forget the BodyGlide. No, seriously, Don't Forget It! You will regret it!
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