Running is Creative

"The amazing distances that a healthy individual may be able to run after only a few months of training can lead to an increased sense of one's ability to master challenges and to attain goals that seemed remote only months earlier. One's entire belief system about the degree to which one's life is self-determined, or internal (versus other- or fate-determined, or external), may be influenced by such successes."
Sachs & Buffone, Running as Therapy

This weekend, I'll be running in the San Diego Marathon and look forward to meeting other running Souls there. Every one of us tens of thousands of runners will have something in common — there was a time when we had never run a marathon. For a good number, that will still be true as we all line up at the start on Sunday morning. A few hours later, that will no longer be true. There will be no arguing with that. Something entirely new will be true.

Sure, they can say they have run a (first!) marathon and that's an enormous achievement. But something much bigger will also be true — that they have the power to create their own truth, their own experience, their own possibilities, their own reality.

I know no other sport that can spotlight this truth as quickly. Year after year, I have seen myself and others challenge their thoughts about how far, or even IF, they could run, and let go of the stories that have limited them. All the reasons why not (time, place to do it, not being good enough, fast enough, etc, etc) fall away under the powerful focus of intention, action, and, especially, shared commitment.

This year, at least once, challenge what is true for you about your running. Run a new distance, whether it's a first 5k, 10k, half or full marathon, or an ultra distance. Discover anew that what is true for you is what you tell yourself is true for you—and will continue to be so until you challenge it.

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The folks at SofSole recently sent me some of their products to try out. As my mileage is increasing from 35 up to 45-50 miles a week in preparation for the Bulldog 50k in a couple of months, I am listening carefully to my body, especially my feet. Having been sidelined with plantar fascitis a couple of times in the last fifteen years, I am always on the look out for products that will prevent a reoccurrence.

I started out with the SofSole inserts at the Palos Verdes Half-Marathon a week ago with my Running buddy Tiffany. We were joined by her friend Patrick, who was running his first ever Half Marathon. Patrick finished strong and redefined for himself what was possible! That was a joy to see.

The PV event is held along the Pacific Coast, a beautiful location with a lot of hill climbs and descents—the kind of topography that puts added strain on my calves and plantar muscles and can also lead to blisters. I came home in bliss, feelings strong, not the hint of a blister. I will confess to having a second secret weapon: the folks at SofSole had also included some cushion performance socks. The next sentence may not be G-rated — my feet felt as though they were being made love to for all thirteen miles. These socks are incredible. They are orgasmic. Coupled with the inserts, I experienced the highest levels of support to stay strong, healthy, and injury-free.

Well enough talk of foot orgasms—I'm off for a light run to prep for this weekend. Wishing you all happy trails and happy feet!

Prove Yourself a Liar

In just a few weeks, the Team in Training organization will launch its next season of training groups for runners who are interested in achieving a new goal while raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and patient support. Many of the people in those groups—in fact the majority of them—will never have completed a marathon before. Right now, it seems about as possible as flying to the moon.

Amazingly, in three months time, those same people will be crossing their first marathon finishing line. And while the camaraderie, training, and shared experience will have provided them with many answers along the way, there will be one big question there to meet them at the finish line. That question is this:

What else can't you do?

Once you have looked at one impossible thing and achieved it, the neat line that has separated the idea (for it is only that, and idea, a thought) of what is possible and what is impossible is forever erased.

What is it that carries something from the impossible to the possible column? Four essential elements: Desire, Preparation, Accountability, Fun.

As my friend and master life coach Steve Chandler points out, too many of us look for the "how to" when we are presented with new challenges: "Oh, I could never run a marathon, I don't know how to." That's looking through the wrong end of the telescope. First comes the want to. And I coach my running clients the same way—find a reason to run other than yourself. What will you do with the greater health, mobility, sense of achievement? That will create your want to. Perhaps you'll be able to keep up with your kids or grand kids. Perhaps you'll be able to inspire or support someone else making a life-affirming decision—if you think your spouse needs to exercise more, model that, share that, live that with them. Perhaps you can raise money for those in a less fortunate position that yourself. The possibilities are endless. Find your "want to."

Indiana Basketball coach, Bobby Knight was right on the money when he said that, "Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win." Lack of preparation has become so endemic in our society that it has now actually become an acceptable excuse, "I'm sorry, I'm not prepared to do that." Exactly. Practice, practice, practice. Preparation brings the "how to" into being, brings it alive in you, brings you into contact with support.

As an addict of many shades, I know the power of accountability. There have been many times in my life when I was not willing to do something for myself, but I was willing to do it for someone else. Sounds crazy. Then again, addiction is crazy. I started each journey of sobriety by knowing that I'd walk into a room each week and report whether or not I had kept my agreement with them. I did it for them long enough, I learned to do it for myself. It's a lot harder to miss those 6 a.m. training runs when you know there's someone else waiting for you on the street corner. (Shameless plug: you can also get daily inspiration delivered to your phone now at www.IRunInspired.com).

First law of lasting change? In my view it's this: If you are going to succeed at anything, you have to find a way to make it fun. Train with buddies; stock up on the gear that you like; visit those you are raising money for; run events that involve swimming through trenches of mud; whatever it is for you, find it.

I've heard it said both that, "The impossible is where God likes to play," and "Joy is the proof of the presence of Spirit." Stand at any marathon finishing line and you'll see that both are wonderfully, powerfully, and undeniably true.

So . . . what can't you do? Now, prove yourself a liar.

For me, registering for the Bulldog 50k later this year has put me back in "impossibility." 100+ degree temperatures; 8,000ft overall elevation; 50k of hot, dusty, August trails in Southern California. Perhaps I'll see you there! Living with the impossible has already lifted my training, running, and joy to new levels. It can do the same for you.

Run INSPIRED: Now Get the Daily Inspiration to Keep You on Track!

Don't simply run through your environment, run IN it. Search for, find, & fill yourself with the beauty of your surroundings; it's a reflection of who you are.” Toby Estler, from the new site: www.IRunInspired.com

Whether you are a newcomer or a veteran runner, the foundational support that you need is the support that first and foremost gets you out there-to keep you inspired, motivated, injury-free, committed, and fresh in your running.

Running buddies, coaches, inspiring magazines and articles all help. And they are fallible. Every now and then the running buddy (or you) is out of town. Coaches get sick. Magazines come round but once a month.

Now you can get regular, daily inspiration for your runner, wherever you are! You can even try them out for a 45-day free trial.

I have written these daily messages to inspire all aspects of your running: the doing, thinking, feeling, and evolving aspects of your running.

Evolving?? YES—because running is not only a tool for relaxing and strengthening the body. It can also ease the mind and free the soul.

These messages will support you in bringing more into your running, by consciously preparing not just physically, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. By bringing this focused awareness to your runs, you can connect with an enhanced experience of who you truly are: not merely a human being with a soul, but rather a soul-a spiritual being-having a human (running!) experience.

This multidimensional approach to running will mean you get more miles to the gallon and recover quicker. You'll not only run faster, stronger, and longer, you'll also run deeper.

For those of you who are existing runners, you'll find ways for building upon the levels of freedom, peace, and expansiveness that you already enjoy in your running. You'll be able to carry those qualities deeper into your life-into your relationships with yourself, those closest to you, and your running buddies; into your workplace; and into your wider world so that all are infused with the joy and possibility you experience when running.

I extend an especially heartfelt welcome to those of you that are new to running! Here you'll find enthusiastic and encouraging daily words to support you as you ease into your new running practice. I invite you to do so recognizing that it also has much to offer beyond the already significant physical benefits.

With I Run Inspired you can:

• Choose which days of the week you receive the message.
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• Messages focus on both the inner and outer aspects of running: how to run stronger, longer, and deeper.
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Happy trails!