It is the 1-year anniversary of the day I walked away from a well-paying corporate job to the would-be life of the self-employed.
Fed-up. Burned-out. Disgusted. Tired. Frustrated. Every word imaginable of just being unable to bring myself to go into an office any longer.
I could no longer get paid to do a job I hated. I didn't mind the people with whom I worked, but rather the people whom I was forced to speak to and listen for 10 hours, 4 days a week. People required to a have some sort of degree and responsibility. People with whom parents leave their children several times a week while they go to work. People who couldn't tell you how to spell their last name or know "What's a Clock"
I could no longer numb my mind to the daily repetitive tasks, repeating the same lines at the beginning of the 40+ phone calls per days. I could no longer kill time on the internet "researching", blogging, or reading pointless news articles.
I had to escape.
A plan was in development. I could save x amount per paycheck and squirrel away enough to pay for tattoo schooling in just a few months. I just had to keep working.
Not good enough.
I could quit in a few weeks after the summer and before we reached "busy" season as students returned to school.
Still not good enough.
A proper notice of resignation could be written and submitted that day.
Close...but it would still involve at least 8 more work days.
That day, I took a massive dive into oblivion.
20090629
Worn Tires
I've ridden these Schwalbe Marathon Racers for almost 18 months and they have seen at least 5,000 miles on the Long Haul Trucker. They seem to be pretty good tires in terms of puncture resistance, speed, and traction and have served me well. I don't have the money right now to replace them with an identical tire so I've moved on to the Panaracer Paselas to see how well they perform.
Wish me luck!
Wish me luck!
20090622
Wedding By Bike!
My good friends, Bonnie and Pete tied the knot this past weekend!
Congrats to the happy new couple!
Congrats to the happy new couple!
Blogging is Challenging
I'm really enjoying the amount of writing and thought that must be put into my three blogs. So much work is involved in trying to consistently post about specific subjects and gather material and pictures for said subjects.
I feel the blogging has really improved my writing and is re-awakening a lost part of my brain that is reveling in the light.
Creative writing or journalism has never really been a big part of my life, but this chronicles of the last few years have become very interesting to me and my friends.
I hope to keep up the momentum and update at LEAST once a week, preferably 5 times a week.
I feel the blogging has really improved my writing and is re-awakening a lost part of my brain that is reveling in the light.
Creative writing or journalism has never really been a big part of my life, but this chronicles of the last few years have become very interesting to me and my friends.
I hope to keep up the momentum and update at LEAST once a week, preferably 5 times a week.
Unicycle Noobs - Pedalpalooza
Pedalpalooza 2009 is rolling right along. One of the events I attended and had untold amounts of fun was the Unicycle Noobs clinic held by the Unicycle Bastards.
They invited anyone interested in learning to ride a unicycle and supplied numerous unicycles of various sizes and styles.
Around 20+ people showed for free lessons and it seemed EVERYONE was really enjoying themselves. The hosts were very patient and encouraged everyone to give it a try and made suggestions on how to ride.
I can't thank them enough for the opportunity and advice.
See Flickr Set Unicycle Noobs for more pictures.
-Tomascosauce
They invited anyone interested in learning to ride a unicycle and supplied numerous unicycles of various sizes and styles.
Around 20+ people showed for free lessons and it seemed EVERYONE was really enjoying themselves. The hosts were very patient and encouraged everyone to give it a try and made suggestions on how to ride.
I can't thank them enough for the opportunity and advice.
See Flickr Set Unicycle Noobs for more pictures.
-Tomascosauce
20090616
World Naked Bike Ride 2009
Portland must have the largest naked bike ride in THE WORLD.
As a volunteer, I was privy to many communications about Portland's World Naked Bike Ride and Kick-Off Party.
I overheard the attending Fire Marshall proclaim "Yeah, that's about 5,000 people", I knew something great was going down.
A sea of flesh in various stages of costume, body paint and undress, dancing, laughing and having a great time. Cheers, hugs, chants, singing, finding missed friends, bicycles, painting, and awesome frivoloty all BEFORE the ride even started.
At Midnight, the ride started it's procession with the tune of drums from The Last Regimine.
BikePortland.org blogged all about and has MANY photos.
I was able to snap a few of the site before the party started, but was unable to continue as I was not an official photographer.
There was so much hard work put in by the core group of organizers. all of whom are unpaid volunteers. Umbrella, the fiscal backer, helped obtain permits, insurance and sponsors.
I'm still smiling from all the fun I had that evening.
More photos from my Flickr Contacts:
BikePortland
K'Tesh
William
As a volunteer, I was privy to many communications about Portland's World Naked Bike Ride and Kick-Off Party.
I overheard the attending Fire Marshall proclaim "Yeah, that's about 5,000 people", I knew something great was going down.
A sea of flesh in various stages of costume, body paint and undress, dancing, laughing and having a great time. Cheers, hugs, chants, singing, finding missed friends, bicycles, painting, and awesome frivoloty all BEFORE the ride even started.
At Midnight, the ride started it's procession with the tune of drums from The Last Regimine.
BikePortland.org blogged all about and has MANY photos.
I was able to snap a few of the site before the party started, but was unable to continue as I was not an official photographer.
There was so much hard work put in by the core group of organizers. all of whom are unpaid volunteers. Umbrella, the fiscal backer, helped obtain permits, insurance and sponsors.
I'm still smiling from all the fun I had that evening.
More photos from my Flickr Contacts:
BikePortland
K'Tesh
William
20090615
Fig Leif 5k
Nothing feels as Primal as running naked through the forest...and I did just that on the Fig Leif 5k. It was held as part of Pedalpalooza just prior to the World Naked Bike Ride. It started 500 yards up Lief Erickson Drive and onto the 2 mile mark and back.
A couple of cute volunteer girls painted my face as a tiger and wrote "Hug Life, Run Naked" on my back. I don't know if it was because I was so eager to get painted or my physique, but I seemed to be attracting some attention from the ladies and several men. Wow. I felt so flattered.
15 runners, a good mix of men and woman of different levels of fitness took part in this annual run. I was in front of the pack for a short while but started to slow down about half-way through as my left knee was still sore from a hyper-extension the week before. I finished mid-pack and was greeted by a paper-tape finish, a ribbon with my finishing time and some glow-sticks for the WNBR.
I didn't take any pictures of the other runners as it felt a little inappropriate to be staring. Everyone looked good naked at this point.
The feeling of raw freedom and re-connecting to nature in such a festive way sealed my plans to do this run again next year.
A couple of cute volunteer girls painted my face as a tiger and wrote "Hug Life, Run Naked" on my back. I don't know if it was because I was so eager to get painted or my physique, but I seemed to be attracting some attention from the ladies and several men. Wow. I felt so flattered.
15 runners, a good mix of men and woman of different levels of fitness took part in this annual run. I was in front of the pack for a short while but started to slow down about half-way through as my left knee was still sore from a hyper-extension the week before. I finished mid-pack and was greeted by a paper-tape finish, a ribbon with my finishing time and some glow-sticks for the WNBR.
I didn't take any pictures of the other runners as it felt a little inappropriate to be staring. Everyone looked good naked at this point.
The feeling of raw freedom and re-connecting to nature in such a festive way sealed my plans to do this run again next year.
20090612
The Tour Divide Race 2009
Today, the Tour Divide Race Begins!
See the Adventure Cycling Associations press release.
The contestants abilities and mettle are a sight to behold and inspire me to be ultralight and hardcore.
Make sure to check out the official site and last year's pictures!
It is a great desire to participate in this glory-less race and complete in the allotted time, but alas I don't have the equipment, fitness or finances to set upon such an endeavor.
In general, I'm not much of a racer. In fact, I really suck at it. However, these ultra-distance events like The Great Divide Race and Race Across America light up something in my brain that makes me want to train consistantly and get a better bike to do such a thing.
Good luck to all 42 racers!
See the Adventure Cycling Associations press release.
The contestants abilities and mettle are a sight to behold and inspire me to be ultralight and hardcore.
Make sure to check out the official site and last year's pictures!
It is a great desire to participate in this glory-less race and complete in the allotted time, but alas I don't have the equipment, fitness or finances to set upon such an endeavor.
In general, I'm not much of a racer. In fact, I really suck at it. However, these ultra-distance events like The Great Divide Race and Race Across America light up something in my brain that makes me want to train consistantly and get a better bike to do such a thing.
Good luck to all 42 racers!
20090611
Green Electra
I just felt like getting a snap-shot of this perty thing and sharing it with the world.
The Barefoot Update
I'm still going barefoot as much as possible and have even run my first quarter-mile sans shoes. Blisters have caused a little bit of a set back, but the skin is healing quickly. I can't really say that my feet feel any tougher as I can still feel every little pebble and bump but rather they are much like going outside without sunglasses. At first, the sun is so bright it hurts your eyes but eventually they adjust but still feel the brightness.
I've gone into a few grocery stores sans shoes and not been bothered by staff to re-shod. However, I was a Powells the other night after several hours in the bare and after 15 minutes in store, a staff person asked me to put something on the feet. A little on the rude side but I didn't really feel like arguing at the point so I put on the sandals I keep handy for just a moment.
Out of all the places I've walked outside and around downtown Portland, the one piece of glass that finally embedded itself into my foot originated from my own basement. Go figure.
To get around town a bit more easily and not have to worry so much about glass and rough pavement, I may make some huaraches or see if I can get a hold of some Vibram FiveFingers.
I'm loving the progress so far and can't wait to try some serious distance pitter pattering of my size 10 bare feet.
I've gone into a few grocery stores sans shoes and not been bothered by staff to re-shod. However, I was a Powells the other night after several hours in the bare and after 15 minutes in store, a staff person asked me to put something on the feet. A little on the rude side but I didn't really feel like arguing at the point so I put on the sandals I keep handy for just a moment.
Out of all the places I've walked outside and around downtown Portland, the one piece of glass that finally embedded itself into my foot originated from my own basement. Go figure.
To get around town a bit more easily and not have to worry so much about glass and rough pavement, I may make some huaraches or see if I can get a hold of some Vibram FiveFingers.
I'm loving the progress so far and can't wait to try some serious distance pitter pattering of my size 10 bare feet.
Challenges and Tic Tac Toe
Push Yourself. Try Harder. Don't Take the Easy Way.
Isn't Tic Tac Toe a simple game? It didn't take very long to learn to play or get constant stalemate, so you move on to something harder. Chutes and Ladders, Life, Chess, Risk... You keep moving on to something more challenging.
See Spot Run was a good start to your reading abilities, Shakespear is a bit more challenging.
It seems that the most challenging is also the most interesting.
Why keep yourself bored on the couch, tired from walking up the 5 steps of your porch. Strive for something more difficult. Find some stairs. Ride the bicycle around the block more than once. Add more miles, add more weight. Test your limits and expand them!
Running SEEMS easy in terms of equipment and technique needed. Anyone with two legs and a pulse can run. It's built into our biology.
While riding the bicycle 200 miles in an afternoon, a driver pulled up along me and simply asked "Why?" and I responded "Because Tic Tac Toe was too easy!" The driver seemed satisfied with the answer.
20090609
Firmly Embedded Shrapnel
I've only flatted twice on these tires and both were from the shrapnel of snow chains during Portland's Snowpocolypse 2009. Otherwise, all other flats were from the rim tape shifting and exposing the spoke holes in the rim.
I've been using the Schwalbe Marathon XR's on my touring bicycle for the majority of the time over the last year or so. I'm very pleased with their reliability, traction, durability and long long lasting tread wear. Over 4,000 miles on my current set and they still look awesome.
The real downfall of these tires is their weight and rolling resistance. I constantly keep them at the top PSI and have to keep checking the brakes to make sure they aren't rubbing because these tank treads make one feel so very, VERY slow.
I'm at the point where I'm switching back to a smaller, faster, albeit less reliable tire to get around town and go on some long trips. Sometimes, the extra work isn't worth the extra protection.
Think of it as steel-toed boots. Walk through anything, but would you really want to run in them?
Marking Progress
The satisfaction of vanity is not felt when taking pictures of myself.
I've gone from 3 strained pull-ups per every other day to about 20-30 repetitions and variations.
Muscle has been visibly building, fat measurably disappearing and confidence socially noticeable.
One month from now, we'll see how the back looks and how many reps can be pulled off.
-Tomas
I've gone from 3 strained pull-ups per every other day to about 20-30 repetitions and variations.
Muscle has been visibly building, fat measurably disappearing and confidence socially noticeable.
One month from now, we'll see how the back looks and how many reps can be pulled off.
-Tomas
Not Anti-Consumerist
I own very little...and I continue to crop my possessions to the bare-minimums.
I don't own any entertainment electronics like a Playstation, Xbox or even a TV. Sure, I may have a laptop and an iPhone, but both devices let me pursue the actions and adventures I deem most valuable to me.
Putting a higher value on one's time over the collection of "stuff" is starting to work for me.
I have more time to be spontaneous, appreciate nature, go on adventures into the wilderness and other cities and really enjoy the things and actions that mean the most to me.
I no longer any:
-Entertainment Electronics
-Game Systems
-DVDs
-Music CDs
-Toys
-Clothing for the sake of Fashion
-Collection of anything for the sake of collecting
-Annual Publications
I often have to ask myself the question many times during the purchase of an item, "Will this item help me or just be another thing to take up room, clutter my living area, or just flat out be a waste of money?" There have indeed been many times lately that I've picked up an item and while waiting in line I turn around and place the item back on the shelf. If I still desire or greatly need said item days later then I will posit the question again and again.
I've found much inspiration for this satisfying life-style from some blogs and books I've read about simplification and nescessity.
ZenHabits, TheSimpleDollar, Vagabonding, Voluntary Poverty,
I've been likened to someone on a religious quest to find God, Buddah, Flying Spaghetti Monster or whatever, but my point in this life-style exercise is to get more enjoyment out of life by spending more TIME over money pursuing such a life.
Would you rather read about hiking trails around your state for 10 hours a week or spend that same time on the trail?
I don't own any entertainment electronics like a Playstation, Xbox or even a TV. Sure, I may have a laptop and an iPhone, but both devices let me pursue the actions and adventures I deem most valuable to me.
Putting a higher value on one's time over the collection of "stuff" is starting to work for me.
I have more time to be spontaneous, appreciate nature, go on adventures into the wilderness and other cities and really enjoy the things and actions that mean the most to me.
I no longer any:
-Entertainment Electronics
-Game Systems
-DVDs
-Music CDs
-Toys
-Clothing for the sake of Fashion
-Collection of anything for the sake of collecting
-Annual Publications
I often have to ask myself the question many times during the purchase of an item, "Will this item help me or just be another thing to take up room, clutter my living area, or just flat out be a waste of money?" There have indeed been many times lately that I've picked up an item and while waiting in line I turn around and place the item back on the shelf. If I still desire or greatly need said item days later then I will posit the question again and again.
I've found much inspiration for this satisfying life-style from some blogs and books I've read about simplification and nescessity.
ZenHabits, TheSimpleDollar, Vagabonding, Voluntary Poverty,
I've been likened to someone on a religious quest to find God, Buddah, Flying Spaghetti Monster or whatever, but my point in this life-style exercise is to get more enjoyment out of life by spending more TIME over money pursuing such a life.
Would you rather read about hiking trails around your state for 10 hours a week or spend that same time on the trail?
Breakfast on the Bridges
The local bike fun group, Shift, usually holds their monthly event on the last Friday of each month. Free coffee and pastries to cyclists and pedestrians cross the Hawthorne and Steel bridges on their way to work.
June is time for Pedalpalooza, the 2+ week long party of bike-related fun and themed rides like the World Naked Bike Ride, Pizza Ride, Sausage-fest Ride and more!
All month long Shift will be holding BonB every Friday morning.
Thanks for all the Volunteers and their dedication to food and fun!
Minimizing Stuff - Maximizing Life
"Really? You need 8 flashlights?"
It has been nearly a year since I left my IT Help Desk job to pursue a career as a Personal Fitness training. An endeavor with little success. Since my employment-suicide, I've been selling off the majority of my possessions.
Bicycles, furniture, most boooks, all CDs, all DVDs, toys, electronics, outdoor gear, even my bed. Gone. Yes, I sleep on the floor using only my foam camping pad and usually just a couple of fleece blankets or sleeping bag.
The Great Purging Continues...
-Tomas
It has been nearly a year since I left my IT Help Desk job to pursue a career as a Personal Fitness training. An endeavor with little success. Since my employment-suicide, I've been selling off the majority of my possessions.
Bicycles, furniture, most boooks, all CDs, all DVDs, toys, electronics, outdoor gear, even my bed. Gone. Yes, I sleep on the floor using only my foam camping pad and usually just a couple of fleece blankets or sleeping bag.
The Great Purging Continues...
-Tomas
20090608
Cycle Wild Trip to Beacon Rock
One must always double check the starting location the morning of the ride.
I had it all figured out: Get up at 6:30am, catch the Max to Gresham, breakfast at Elmer's, meet up with the Cycle Wild starting group at the Cleveland Max station.
Everything was working out just perfectly. Except the part where there wasn't anyone at the Cleaveland Max station. I headed back to Elmer's to check my e-mail one more time and re-read the start point as CASCADE Station which is way out by the airport. I took the wrong line!
Due to the Grand Floral Parade and other events in Downtown Portland, the Max lines all seemed to be running a little late and very crowded. I eventually got to the Cascade Station and thought I could catch up to the group at the Safeway in Camas, WA, but I got a flat tire!
Impossible! I'm running the Schwalbe Marathon XRs, the most flat resistant tire I could find! However, it ended up not being a puncture flat at all but rather the rim tape shifted, again, and exposed the holes that lead to the recessed spoke nipples. This is now the THIRD occasion to bring me down. I happen to have new rim tape with me from the last time this happened but never go around to changing it at the time so now I pay the price.
Problem #2: The spare tube I brought was entirely the wrong size. I run 26" tires on Betty and the tube was 700c. That wasn't going to roll.
Problem #3: No patches. I loaned them out to someone the last time I was on a group ride and never got them back! It took about 30 minutes to finally flag down a passing ride that carried a spare patch kit. To that rider, I thank thee!
After re-assembling the tire, attaching all the camping gear and regaining my composure, I doubled back to the Sports Authority a short distance away. They happened to have the exact size tubes and the patches I like in stock. I stopped at Panda Express for a quick bite but by this time I was feeling so demoralized, knees were sore as hell, and I was so tired from stress that I was on a hair's edge of just turning around and going home. It was 12:30pm and I haven't even left the PDX Airport area. Pathetic.
Panda Bowl, Excedrine dose, and a bottle of Mountain Dew later, I was ready to rock the 40 mile ride along SR 14 to the Rock. A 1pm start was a bit late, but I knew I could get there with plenty of time to do some hiking.
4:30pm, I roll up to the camp site just as the group was walking away to do some hiking. Their 3-hour lead was cut down to 1 hour 30 minutes due to their long stop at Safeway and some mechanical problems of their own.
After downing some food and catching up with the ride leader, we caught up with the peeps while hiking up Beacon rock. Something triggered me to just have a ton of energy and bolt the rest of the way. I passed everyone else and was second at the top.
Oh what a view of the Columbia Gorge. Check out Matt's Flickr set (coming soon).
There was some tom-foolery at the top involving my barefeet, dancing like a monkey and being nude for a quick picture. Fun times!
The weather was just a bit over-cast but still rather pleasant. The camp sites were a little pricey but comfortable.
Good company and good times.
Pictures:
Matt's Flickr
Tomas' Flickr
Robert's Picasa
I had it all figured out: Get up at 6:30am, catch the Max to Gresham, breakfast at Elmer's, meet up with the Cycle Wild starting group at the Cleveland Max station.
Everything was working out just perfectly. Except the part where there wasn't anyone at the Cleaveland Max station. I headed back to Elmer's to check my e-mail one more time and re-read the start point as CASCADE Station which is way out by the airport. I took the wrong line!
Due to the Grand Floral Parade and other events in Downtown Portland, the Max lines all seemed to be running a little late and very crowded. I eventually got to the Cascade Station and thought I could catch up to the group at the Safeway in Camas, WA, but I got a flat tire!
Impossible! I'm running the Schwalbe Marathon XRs, the most flat resistant tire I could find! However, it ended up not being a puncture flat at all but rather the rim tape shifted, again, and exposed the holes that lead to the recessed spoke nipples. This is now the THIRD occasion to bring me down. I happen to have new rim tape with me from the last time this happened but never go around to changing it at the time so now I pay the price.
Problem #2: The spare tube I brought was entirely the wrong size. I run 26" tires on Betty and the tube was 700c. That wasn't going to roll.
Problem #3: No patches. I loaned them out to someone the last time I was on a group ride and never got them back! It took about 30 minutes to finally flag down a passing ride that carried a spare patch kit. To that rider, I thank thee!
After re-assembling the tire, attaching all the camping gear and regaining my composure, I doubled back to the Sports Authority a short distance away. They happened to have the exact size tubes and the patches I like in stock. I stopped at Panda Express for a quick bite but by this time I was feeling so demoralized, knees were sore as hell, and I was so tired from stress that I was on a hair's edge of just turning around and going home. It was 12:30pm and I haven't even left the PDX Airport area. Pathetic.
Panda Bowl, Excedrine dose, and a bottle of Mountain Dew later, I was ready to rock the 40 mile ride along SR 14 to the Rock. A 1pm start was a bit late, but I knew I could get there with plenty of time to do some hiking.
4:30pm, I roll up to the camp site just as the group was walking away to do some hiking. Their 3-hour lead was cut down to 1 hour 30 minutes due to their long stop at Safeway and some mechanical problems of their own.
After downing some food and catching up with the ride leader, we caught up with the peeps while hiking up Beacon rock. Something triggered me to just have a ton of energy and bolt the rest of the way. I passed everyone else and was second at the top.
Oh what a view of the Columbia Gorge. Check out Matt's Flickr set (coming soon).
There was some tom-foolery at the top involving my barefeet, dancing like a monkey and being nude for a quick picture. Fun times!
The weather was just a bit over-cast but still rather pleasant. The camp sites were a little pricey but comfortable.
Good company and good times.
Pictures:
Matt's Flickr
Tomas' Flickr
Robert's Picasa
20090605
The Lost Art of Brevity
Using Few Words to Say Much.
Despite the limits of SMS and Twitter, we seem to want to say as much as possible. Some may take shortcuts like "CUL8R" for "See You Later" but many blogs and e-mails seem to be full of fluff.
We seem to use fluff to make nice a truth in an e-mail to a loved one about how stupid they are being. A message to a co-worker about their lack of effort in work.
I once had a two page e-mail about the importance of punctuality. Why couldn't he say "Get to work on time or there will be consequences"?
Practice Brevity. Say exactly what you mean. Keep it simple.
Despite the limits of SMS and Twitter, we seem to want to say as much as possible. Some may take shortcuts like "CUL8R" for "See You Later" but many blogs and e-mails seem to be full of fluff.
We seem to use fluff to make nice a truth in an e-mail to a loved one about how stupid they are being. A message to a co-worker about their lack of effort in work.
I once had a two page e-mail about the importance of punctuality. Why couldn't he say "Get to work on time or there will be consequences"?
Practice Brevity. Say exactly what you mean. Keep it simple.
Finding Fitness in Hard Work
I've been taking care of the lawn and other odd chores around the house like cutting the grass, pulling weeds, cutting firewood and raking up dead branches.
There is a surprising amount of exercise involved in this sort of hard work that has really helped give me a good workout and boost my shoulders, biceps, back and core strength.
Use those manual tools, rakes, saws, axes, push mowers, clippers, feel the sweat and get some blisters to show for your labor. The workout you get and getting something accomplished if a good feeling.
There is a surprising amount of exercise involved in this sort of hard work that has really helped give me a good workout and boost my shoulders, biceps, back and core strength.
Use those manual tools, rakes, saws, axes, push mowers, clippers, feel the sweat and get some blisters to show for your labor. The workout you get and getting something accomplished if a good feeling.
Simple Running
Run as Naked as Possible.
Leave the watch, GPS, iPod, backpack, heart rate monitor, pedometer, or whatever other gadgets you would normally take on a run and just get out there and run!
So many people, myself included, focus so much on the exercise and training aspect of running that we get caught up in the technical frills and beating the clock that we no longer sense running around as being "Fun".
I find myself feeling far more pleasant when I don't worry about the mileage, pace, time, e-mails, sms, heartrate, or exact location or which track is playing in my ears. The rustle of trees, earth and twigs under my feet, birds chirping, squirrels barking at my presence, scents of woods and flowers, white noise of running water.
The most enjoyable run I've had was on a trail to Cape Lookout Point. No music, conversation, pacing, time, or phone calls. I had a gps in one hand to find my way back, camera in the other to record my adventures. Should I do it again, both electronics would be left behind and only running shorts upon my body.
Despite the jump in mileage, I felt accomplished, exhausted but utterly AMAZING. It was Zen-like and hours of meditation and nature appreciation.
You will run with a smile on your face the entire time.
Do:
Leave the watch, GPS, iPod, backpack, heart rate monitor, pedometer, or whatever other gadgets you would normally take on a run and just get out there and run!
So many people, myself included, focus so much on the exercise and training aspect of running that we get caught up in the technical frills and beating the clock that we no longer sense running around as being "Fun".
I find myself feeling far more pleasant when I don't worry about the mileage, pace, time, e-mails, sms, heartrate, or exact location or which track is playing in my ears. The rustle of trees, earth and twigs under my feet, birds chirping, squirrels barking at my presence, scents of woods and flowers, white noise of running water.
The most enjoyable run I've had was on a trail to Cape Lookout Point. No music, conversation, pacing, time, or phone calls. I had a gps in one hand to find my way back, camera in the other to record my adventures. Should I do it again, both electronics would be left behind and only running shorts upon my body.
Despite the jump in mileage, I felt accomplished, exhausted but utterly AMAZING. It was Zen-like and hours of meditation and nature appreciation.
You will run with a smile on your face the entire time.
Do:
- Run in an area you are familiar
- Take a waterbottle so you may stay out longer
- Go shirtless (if the law allows)
- Take in the scents of the area
- Listen to the sounds of your own breathing and footfalls
- Go as fast or slow as you like
- Play as you run, jump over the bench, do cartwheels, sprint past the barking dog
- Ignore Time
20090603
Quick Life Update
- Still looking for IT work
- Updating 3 blogs
- Focusing on Running
- Exercising Regularly
- No iPhone at the moment
- Dating someone for two months now
- Completely money-less
- Eating pretty healthy
- Going Barefoot as much as possible
- Trying to lean towards the Paleo or Caveman diet
- Camping every other weekend
20090601
DIY Parallettes
Even if you aren't a gymnast, there are so many exercises you can do on this light-weight and easy to make piece of equipment.
I found the article on Drew Baye's blog and built the parallettes accordingly.
After you make a set, check out some of the various exercises on SkillsandDrill and YouTube.
As always, be reasonable, know your capabilities, don't get injured.
I found the article on Drew Baye's blog and built the parallettes accordingly.
After you make a set, check out some of the various exercises on SkillsandDrill and YouTube.
As always, be reasonable, know your capabilities, don't get injured.
Monday Weigh-In
Today, 150 lbs 18% Body Fat.
A couple of weeks ago, I was at 155lbs. To lose the initial 5 pounds, I cut out the sodas, alcohol and other empty calories through junk food. Running, cycling, hiking and playground exercises probably helped as well.
We'll see how I fair this week.
A couple of weeks ago, I was at 155lbs. To lose the initial 5 pounds, I cut out the sodas, alcohol and other empty calories through junk food. Running, cycling, hiking and playground exercises probably helped as well.
We'll see how I fair this week.
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