If the following sounds strange to you, then perhaps you have become too far removed from the natural, physical life, you've become a creature of comfort in this modern society.
"That without strength, efficient organs, intelligence and an absence of secret fears man is only a parody, and for him life cannot be fully lived. He does not dominate his enviroment, it is the enviroment that dominates him. Such a man is not free. Only the mentally free and the physically strong can live this type of life to the full. Nature ordains it this way.There is no catch to it. Nature favors the fit." (Percy Cerutty).
As Cerutty used to say--"only the fit are fearless."
Monday, October 14, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Taking Risks
"To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow love, live.
Chained by their certitudes they are a slave, they have forfeited their freedom.
Only a person who risks is free."
Author Unknown
As they say----Live the life you love--Are you existing or truly living?
Exhausting work day but ran 20 minutes easy in the morning---6 hours at work on my feet the whole timer--lots of lifting and walking.
What did you do?
Author Unknown
As they say----Live the life you love--Are you existing or truly living?
Exhausting work day but ran 20 minutes easy in the morning---6 hours at work on my feet the whole timer--lots of lifting and walking.
What did you do?
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Principles
"As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods, ignoring principles is sure to have trouble."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don't believe Emerson was an athlete but the above quote sure is applicable to training.
Not too long ago someone asked me if I had heard of a book on running that advocated a certain way of training. I said that I hadn't but if it incorporated the fundamentals of training for distance runners I was all for it. A large part of the training principles for distance running and other sports teaches that easier work is followed by progressively more stressful work as the body can tolerate it. At the end point,these training principles all lead to the athlete being in peak condition for competition. It's all incredibly simple, logical and sensible.
The running coach I follow, Arthur Lydiard, instructed athletes to follow the principles he laid down but added that the individual could adapt them to their specific needs( the methods).
As far as training principles for sports? They must take into account human anatomy and physiology.
Still, many try to 'reinvent the wheel' and come up with "methods" they believe will revolutionize their sport.
Be very careful when you decide to choose a way to train, or way to eat for that matter, is it adhering to sound principles? Do not be fooled by charismatic hucksters.
Lastly, speaking of Arthur Lydiard: he was a giant in the sport of running, just as Vince Lombardi was in American football, John Wooden in college basketball or Casey Stengel in pro baseball. Even though Lydiard trained and developed many champions and record holders, he would always take time to interact with anyone who approached him. I recall back in the '80's writing a letter to him, I can't remember how I found his address in New Zealand, I sort of hoped he might write back but wasn't willing to put any money on it. Sure enough, not quite a month later I received a letter from him. A couple years later I wrote again and the same thing happened. Talking with others, I later found out that, that was just the way he was. Take it from me, this is a rare quality among famous people.
27 minutes at 2/3's pace with a 5 minute warm up and a 10 minute warm down--stretching after.
What did you do today?
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I don't believe Emerson was an athlete but the above quote sure is applicable to training.
Not too long ago someone asked me if I had heard of a book on running that advocated a certain way of training. I said that I hadn't but if it incorporated the fundamentals of training for distance runners I was all for it. A large part of the training principles for distance running and other sports teaches that easier work is followed by progressively more stressful work as the body can tolerate it. At the end point,these training principles all lead to the athlete being in peak condition for competition. It's all incredibly simple, logical and sensible.
The running coach I follow, Arthur Lydiard, instructed athletes to follow the principles he laid down but added that the individual could adapt them to their specific needs( the methods).
As far as training principles for sports? They must take into account human anatomy and physiology.
Still, many try to 'reinvent the wheel' and come up with "methods" they believe will revolutionize their sport.
Be very careful when you decide to choose a way to train, or way to eat for that matter, is it adhering to sound principles? Do not be fooled by charismatic hucksters.
Lastly, speaking of Arthur Lydiard: he was a giant in the sport of running, just as Vince Lombardi was in American football, John Wooden in college basketball or Casey Stengel in pro baseball. Even though Lydiard trained and developed many champions and record holders, he would always take time to interact with anyone who approached him. I recall back in the '80's writing a letter to him, I can't remember how I found his address in New Zealand, I sort of hoped he might write back but wasn't willing to put any money on it. Sure enough, not quite a month later I received a letter from him. A couple years later I wrote again and the same thing happened. Talking with others, I later found out that, that was just the way he was. Take it from me, this is a rare quality among famous people.
27 minutes at 2/3's pace with a 5 minute warm up and a 10 minute warm down--stretching after.
What did you do today?
Friday, October 11, 2013
Each Day
Each Day is a Gift
Each day is a gift if you have your health.
Each day is a gift if you have a place to live and food to eat.
Each day is a gift if you have someone who cares
Each day is a gift if you have an appreciation...for all that you have.
Each day is a gift because you have the ability to determine the way you live.
A great workout--40 minutes running over a hilly course--walking and stretching after.
How was your day??
Each day is a gift if you have your health.
Each day is a gift if you have a place to live and food to eat.
Each day is a gift if you have someone who cares
Each day is a gift if you have an appreciation...for all that you have.
Each day is a gift because you have the ability to determine the way you live.
A great workout--40 minutes running over a hilly course--walking and stretching after.
How was your day??
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Consider This
Words to consider and contemplate from time to time, written by Rudyard Kipling.
"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!"
Whew! Just so well put--nothing more needs to be said, and I won't.
"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!"
Whew! Just so well put--nothing more needs to be said, and I won't.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Random Thoughts
Have you noticed that as we age life gets more complicated? It seems that how we deal with the variety of things that come with the passage of time determines our level of enjoyment in this life. If we are having trouble handling things, it's only natural that life, for the most part, will not be all that pleasant. I suppose that may be one of the reasons why so many people drink or eat too much,or take drugs. It's all about trying to cope. What to do. I think of what Dr.Sheehan wrote; "To go back to those times when your soul, your self, was not what you possessed or your social standing or other people's opinion but a totality of body mind and spirit. And that totality interacting freely with your total environment. Somewhere past childhood that integration of self and that response to the universe began to dissolve. We came more and more to associate who we were with what we owned; to judge ourselves by other people's opinions; to make our decisions by other people's rules; to live by other people's values."
Dr. Sheehan goes on to say, and I'll paraphrase what he said, coincidentally, or perhaps not coincidentally, our physical condition began to decline, as it did for so many of our peers.
I remember the time Dr. Sheehan refers to when 'that integration of self and that response to the universe' began to dissolve.' For me, it was when I first entered the job market. I felt compromise was essential to "fit in." Fortunately, I soon learned it wasn't worth it.
If some of you feel that you are not where you want to be, it is never too late to assert yourself and take control of your life.One of the things you can do that is a step in the right direction is simplifying your life. Cutting down on the number of activities you're involved in and the amount of possessions you have is a great start.
And another thing that concerns being in control of our lives, it's about our physical being, the condition our body is in--"no life can be completely lived without being lived completely on a physical level. The way to relive our life is to go back to the physical self we had before we lost our way." (Dr. Sheehan).
A vital, alive, fit body is essential if we are to have that mental peace.
Live life vigorously!
Dr. Sheehan goes on to say, and I'll paraphrase what he said, coincidentally, or perhaps not coincidentally, our physical condition began to decline, as it did for so many of our peers.
I remember the time Dr. Sheehan refers to when 'that integration of self and that response to the universe' began to dissolve.' For me, it was when I first entered the job market. I felt compromise was essential to "fit in." Fortunately, I soon learned it wasn't worth it.
If some of you feel that you are not where you want to be, it is never too late to assert yourself and take control of your life.One of the things you can do that is a step in the right direction is simplifying your life. Cutting down on the number of activities you're involved in and the amount of possessions you have is a great start.
And another thing that concerns being in control of our lives, it's about our physical being, the condition our body is in--"no life can be completely lived without being lived completely on a physical level. The way to relive our life is to go back to the physical self we had before we lost our way." (Dr. Sheehan).
A vital, alive, fit body is essential if we are to have that mental peace.
Live life vigorously!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The Forgotten Health Practice
Fasting. Ahh, for so many that word conjures up thoughts of agony and deprivation. However, in reality, we all fast. We fast during the hours that we sleep and then break(the)fast in the morning when we have, you guessed it, breakfast. Fasting is something beneficial to all who try it.
The easiest type of fast is to take one day a week and go without food. Drink all the purified water you choose but take in nothing else. I used to fast that way for quite awhile until I got, I don't know, lazy,......?
I would have dinner around 6pm, go to bed and then upon arising I might have a cup of herbal tea(no coffee!) but for the rest of the day it would be water only. I recall feeling somewhat hungry during the early part of that day but I believe a lot of my hunger had to do with the habit of eating. I always made a point of being by myself at lunch, reading or going for a walk. Around 1 or 2pm I recall feeling energetic for the remainder of the fast which I ended at 6 or 6:30pm.
Almost as important as the fast is how you 'break' the fast. Eating a salad with a fairly light meal is the way to go. Overeating only negates the benefits you gained from your fast.
The following are some of the benefits given by Dr. Alan Cott as to the benefits of a Fast. I put the one I believe is the best reason at the top of the list.
Fasting gives the body a physiological rest.
Fasting increases the pleasure of eating(particularly for fresh and raw foods after breaking the fast).
Fasting is an energizer, not a debilitator.
Fasting aids in the elimination process.
Fasting, done regularly, is a rejuvenator, slowing the aging process.
Fasting can lead to improved dietary habits.
Fasting lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Fasting is adaptable to a busy life.
Fasting rids the body of toxins.
I could go on but I think you can see that fasting is beneficial.
One benefit I would add that the Dr. didn't list:
Fasting builds discipline. Heaven knows most of us need to work on our discipline.
Go for it!
20 minutes easy in a cold rain ---stretching after.
What did you do today?
The easiest type of fast is to take one day a week and go without food. Drink all the purified water you choose but take in nothing else. I used to fast that way for quite awhile until I got, I don't know, lazy,......?
I would have dinner around 6pm, go to bed and then upon arising I might have a cup of herbal tea(no coffee!) but for the rest of the day it would be water only. I recall feeling somewhat hungry during the early part of that day but I believe a lot of my hunger had to do with the habit of eating. I always made a point of being by myself at lunch, reading or going for a walk. Around 1 or 2pm I recall feeling energetic for the remainder of the fast which I ended at 6 or 6:30pm.
Almost as important as the fast is how you 'break' the fast. Eating a salad with a fairly light meal is the way to go. Overeating only negates the benefits you gained from your fast.
The following are some of the benefits given by Dr. Alan Cott as to the benefits of a Fast. I put the one I believe is the best reason at the top of the list.
Fasting gives the body a physiological rest.
Fasting increases the pleasure of eating(particularly for fresh and raw foods after breaking the fast).
Fasting is an energizer, not a debilitator.
Fasting aids in the elimination process.
Fasting, done regularly, is a rejuvenator, slowing the aging process.
Fasting can lead to improved dietary habits.
Fasting lowers cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Fasting is adaptable to a busy life.
Fasting rids the body of toxins.
I could go on but I think you can see that fasting is beneficial.
One benefit I would add that the Dr. didn't list:
Fasting builds discipline. Heaven knows most of us need to work on our discipline.
Go for it!
20 minutes easy in a cold rain ---stretching after.
What did you do today?
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