Runner’s Unite!!! I’ve added a new page above called “Runner’s Gang Sign” and this is my official call for entries. In my previous posts on this topic – My Campaign for a Runner’s Gang Sign and My Campaign for a Runner’s Gang Sign: Part Deux I called for a rejuvenation in the social aspect of running by trying to create a universal gang sign for runner’s. One that conveys a kinship and motivation to fellow “Urban Warriors”.

This is a call for entries. Flash the gang sign to the course photographers or family in your races. Send me the links or the photos and I’ll post them to the Gang Sign page. Fads have to start somewhere right!!! Check out our first photo in the Runner’s Gang Sign Hall of Fame.

I’ve been struggling as of late so I thought I’d throw a wrench into the workout routine. I went on a trail run. I know for most of you, this isn’t a novel idea but for me I’ve been an “Urban Warrior” since I started running. The crazy thing is, it’s not like I have to go very far to get to the desert and trails – less than a 1/4 mile.

I live on the west side of Las Vegas adjacent to the Spring Mountains and the Red Rock Conservation Area. There’s a lot of construction going on and it’s amazing how easy it was to run up there. There are semi-graded roads that could literally hold four lanes of traffic. This morning, the most they held was myself and a couple of bunnies.

Here’s an aerial of the area (from what I can measure online, it’s about 3 miles up to the first outcroppings of red rock). NOTE: If my family or friends want to know what to get me for my birthday in June, click here or here!!!

I was really hoping for some spirituality this morning taking in God’s creations (being one with my surroundings) and with “God Skys” (right B?) it was looking good from the beginning.

My son doesn't call these "God Skys" but says that people go to heaven by going up the rays of the sun to God.

The climb was steep but I didn’t think about it much. With my mantra by my side and trying to figure out which way to go, it didn’t take too long to reach my destination.

This goes back forever and I can't wait to get a descent pair of trail shoes and an entire morning to explore how far back these trails goes.

The way back down was a piece of cake and took about 15 minutes less than it took to get up here. I “hanked” a left when I should have gone straight and came out 1/2 mile from where I entered. It’s funny how things look entirely strange from a different perspective.

This photo is from my highest point. The red circle indicates the Las Vegas strip. The yellow circle is the Red Rock Resort.

The point of this entire post is that changing things up is good…no GREAT!!! Was I fully energized? No. Was I fully in a meditative state with God? No. Was my running desire restored? You bet your “Slump Buster”!!! Now I’m going to pick up a pair of Nike Air Terra Humara’s tomorrow.

I officially started training for my Disney half in September this week. So far so bad!!! Every run and every swim has just been difficult. Not that I’m out of shape or am training harder than usual, I’ve just had zero energy. My easy 5 miles yesterday seemed like a 50 mile ultra. My swim today was like dragging rocks along the bottom. Maybe it’s the heat or the economy but my brain isn’t right.

It just goes to show that even though we love running, it doesn’t always love us. I know it’s not going to last but getting thru these tough times is what truly makes us runners.

Struggle on my friends!!!

Scanning the financial headlines this morning, one sort of leap off the page. “Hot in Recession: Chocolate, running shoes, Spam” is the name of the AP article and to me it came as no surprise. He’s an excerpt from the article that talked about “us”:

Those on the go are not shying away from footing the bill for sturdy running shoes. Sales increased 2 percent in 2008, said Tom Doyle at the National Sporting Goods Association in Mount Prospect, Ill.

“Runners aren’t going to hurt themselves to save a few bucks,” he said.

How true is this? Are you going to go with a pair of those cross-trainers for $39 or invest in your running health? Personally, I’d rather sacrifice the chocolate and Spam (not that it resides on our family’s shopping list) before my shoes.

I’m no Jim Cramer but as a runner, I’d be taking a look at those running stocks right about now.

After cheering me on for 3+ years, 1 marathon and 5 half marathons…they’re joining in. My wife and two boyz will be running with me in the Disneyland 5K on September 5th – the day before the Disneyland Half Marathon.

The two previous years, the boyz participated in the kids races – 200 & 400 meter dashes. The wife however isn’t much of a runner. I’ll give her credit, she tried it a couple of times with me but it just didn’t quite fit. My boyz are young (6 & 8 yrs.) so this won’t be a competitive race but a time to share the joy of running with my family in the “Happiest Place on Earth”.

As we enter triple digit temperatures here in Las Vegas for the next 5 months, I’m already daydreaming about the fall and winter race schedule. This year it filled up pretty quickly without much thought having been put into it. I’m dying to get back on a training program because not having one leaves room for skipping workouts. Here’s the schedule and a review of each:

2009 Disneyland Half Marathon
September 6
This will be the third year in a row that I will have run this family-oriented race. The course runs through Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks as well as the well manicured streets of Anaheim. While running through the parks is an event to itself there is a small let down as you head out on the streets during miles 4-8. Things again get interesting as you run by the Honda Center (home of the Anaheim Ducks), down the Santa Ana Trial (flanking the Santa Ana river), around/thru (ran the foul lines in 2007 and thru the “A” in 2008) Angel Stadium until heading back thru California Adventure and Downtown Disney to the finish. Running thru the parks with the characters and employees is awesome and the community support with bands and cheerleaders is second to none.

Ragnar Relay Las Vegas
October 9-10
(Valley of Fire to Las Vegas)
I’ve been interested in the Ragnar Relays since seeing their booth at my very first expo in 2006. Now they are finally coming to me and I’m pumped. This isn’t set in stone as of yet, but I’m working on a team as we speak. The relay calls for teams made up of 12 runners and a couple of support vehicles. You run for 5 miles, relax/ride/sleep/eat, run for 5 miles, relax/ride/sleep/eat, run for 5 miles and you’re done. The spirituality and camaraderie that will accompany this run has me so excited that I can’t wait for it to come.

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon
December 6
As excited I am for Ragnar, I’m just as excited for the new management for the Las Vegas Marathon. This was my first marathon in 2006 and the event was going downhill ever since. The previous owners ran into financial trouble and it showed. In 2007 and 2008 I ran the halfs, but now that the Competitor Group has taken over and brought Rock-n-Roll to Vegas, I going long again. If you haven’t run the Las Vegas strip, this is a must run. It’s hard to give a proper review with the event changing hands but if it’s anything like what I’ve seen from the other Rock-n-Roll’s, it’s going to be great!!!

2010 Walt Disney World Marathon
January 10
Yes, I know I’ve told you that I’m excited for each of the previous races but this one is it!!! Not for the fact that it’s Disney World or that the entire race is run thru the park. Not for the fact that I’ve never been to Florida or that it’s another great Disney family trip. This one is going special. My sister, who just finished her first marathon relay, is going to be running her first marathon with me. She’s been so supportive of my recent running conversion that I could not be more excited that she has made the running leap of faith and we’ll be side-by-side cheering each other on. I’m sure the race will be great too.

Looking at my schedule will help me thru my training runs this summer. There’s only so many times you can tell yourself that 95 degrees isn’t that hot – at 10 PM!!!

The Fargo Marathon is underway and so are the Cobber Chicks. Have fun ladies and we’ll have an update after the race.

Meditation is a whole new thing for me. I’ve never tried traditional meditation. Maybe it’s my lack of interest or my unwillingness to try but it’s never held much interest for me. Since reading “Running the Spiritual Path” by Roger D. Joslin, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve been practicing mediation for quite a while now – I just didn’t know it.

Have you ever been on a long run and come to realize you don’t recall the last mile or so you just ran? You checked out at some point and something pulled you back to reality. In most cases, your mind gets filled with thousands of trivial thoughts that occupy your time. It’s time to harness this “time” and use it as your “meditation time”. Here are a couple tools that may help you:

Chants and Mantras
These are words or phrases that you can repeat to the rhythm of your breath and/or stride. RMFR used to be my mantra of choice but that has been shuffled to my “Running Gang Sign” and it doesn’t fit my new spiritual path. Remember that you should find a chant or mantra that fits your breathing. Let your words develop naturally to your own running rhythm.

My chant that I started using to focus on my time with God running is “He Has Risen. Saved By Grace.” When I feel my focus wavering and I need to rechannel my thoughts to my breathing or the sound of my stride, I use this chant and it brings me right back to where my thoughts need to be.

Mudras
This is funny because I didn’t know it officially had a name. Mudra is loosely defined as hand movements that accompany dance, music, chants or mantras. I can explain this using my chant. When I say each syllable, I touch a finger with my thumb. I start by touching my index finger on down to my pinky (Risen is touched on the ring finger and then the pinky). For the second part of my chant, I proceed back up my fingers back to my index finger. When I start the chant again, I do it on the other hand.

It takes a little while to get used to it but after doing it for a couple of minutes, it will become second nature. There’s a lot going on but you’ll be amazed at how focused you’ll become.

Good luck and please share your chants, mantras and mudras.

Well OK, not K-Mart but I’ve got another lead for you…Ross. Sorry midwesterners they are suspiciously absent from your part of the country (I’m assuming there is another competitor that I have no clue about). Anyway, Ross sells clothes that don’t sell in the big chain stores and they sell them at significantly reduces prices. The only running gear that I don’t buy from Ross are my shoes. Everything else is “Ross bought”.

For example,
5 pairs of 2(x)ist socks for $10 – normal price $37.50
Nike Dri-FIT Tempo Men’s Running Shorts for $9.99 – normal price $27.99

In fact, I still have the long sleeve shirt I bought there from my first Las Vegas Marathon almost 4 years ago. Don’t trade quality to buy something else cheap…just go find quality gear cheap!!!

…stupid, stupid, stupid.

As runner’s, our single most important asset is our feet. Thus, we need to take care of them and protect them at all costs. Pedicures…yes. Good shoes and socks…yes. Work barefoot in your garage with screws and nails…NO!!!

Nothing ruins your afternoon run plans worse than a stepping on a screw and nail SIMULTANEOUSLY. As I hobbled upstairs dripping blood every 5 feet I realized that my afternoon run would be postponed do to stupidity. Please learn from my STUPID mistake and protect those feet!!!