Running: A Fever

Continuing on the theme of mental control, I try to invent some way to help myself get through the run. Some strategy of thought and concentration to distract me, to fight off negative thoughts, what I call the Demons of Doubt. I call them demons because they seem to act on their own. I don’t have to come up with doubts and negative thoughts. They exist in the absence of positive thoughts. They are not just proactive, they are evil, because they want to interfere with something I want to do that is good. While in the real world good and evil are never so simple, in the metaphorical and motivational sense, this concept works. Everything I do is good, at least in my own opinion, even when I am doing something that is objectively bad. I am either trying to do good and I fail, as all humans do, or I am mistaken in my determination that the act is good. And there you have it – an ultra-simplified version of the Thomistic philosophy of good and evil. More...

I offer my detailed instructions for how to make the breakfast that I enjoyed this morning: Southern Sausage and Eggs 2 tbsp. bacon grease or shortening 2 eggs 2 sausage patties or 4 slices of bacon or 2 slices of bologna or 1 slice of country ham Take your skillet and put it on the stove and start warmin’ it up. Reach in your fridge and get your jar or cup or some other container of bacon grease saved from a previous breakfast and spoon out a healthy portion of that into the skillet. Once melted, add meat. Cook until black. Drain and cool on paper towels. Break eggs into the frying pan. I prefer country style, also known as wrecked. To make country eggs, don’t immediately scramble them, wait until they start to fry, then coarsely scramble. Put eggs and sausage on a plate and enjoy a tasty breakfast that is also full of protein. Lunch was a meal replacement shake. I retract my previous statement about looking good at fifty-one because, in fact, there are many attractive people of all ages. I do want to lose w

How do you handle adversity? Do you have people you talk to? Things that you do? I have attitude problems but I keep on going, trying to maintain. It’s in the hard times that we really find out who we are. Sports are a metaphor for life. There is always some difficulty, some challenge to overcome. In a game, it is the opponent. In running there is no opponent except gravity. There is a big mental part of this, how I approach the things that make me want to stop. There is an individual philosophy of life that each person must find for himself. When I have adversity, and I have to work through it and push through it, I think about that meaning. There is a goal, and there is a positive effort that is required to reach it. One difference between running outside and running on a treadmill is that inside, you only see a number, not really a visual goal on the landscape. I am still getting used to my head lamp and use it on the way back, actually starting with the run. I am able to do the half-mile run all at one ti

Frustration has to be met with determination. Survival is a win. I reason that the more success one has, the harder it is to get that incremental increase. So while on my first run, I had an infinite percent increase in everything, and subsequent workouts were jumps ahead, now these improvements are harder won. I’m also in the middle of a difficult stretch of days. I now know that these come and go and that makes it easier to accept. Sometimes I just survive, complete a workout, and move on. Other times I have success to celebrate. It may sound like I am complaining sometimes, but I want to tell the unvarnished truth on this show, and not make it sound like an easy ride. Coming to terms with difficulty and resistance is the only path to success. Without obstacles, I don’t think I could call it accomplishment. What I am trying to do is difficult, but not impossible. I’m trying to prove that. Weight: 265 Workout time: 52 Minutes Distance (total): 2.63 Miles Run Portion: .5 Miles Heart Rate (min/max all day): 64

We went past twenty episodes without celebrating, so yay! That is a lot of episodes for a podcast and it’s a good sign that we have some staying power. I intentionally leave the house later. Since I now have my headlamp, I want to give it a good tryout. It is dark and the visual effects are interesting. It’s cold enough to see my breath, but I only see it when it’s going in front of the light. Also when I’m running it looks kind of like a diving mask, I can only see through a certain arc. I get pretty confused as to the distance I run. As usual, my “live math” is not very good. I actually ran an entire mile. This run is very difficult and I really want to quit for the last quarter mile. It is cold, there are variations in altitude. I don’t think I have run this full distance in weather this cold. But I have to keep moving forward. If I slack off or level off I’ll feel as if I’m going backward. As I get older and heavier, this thing is more and more difficult. Perhaps I need to work more on my diet program, bu

Special Guest: Heather I go to Rush Running, a local running store, and get a gait analysis. First I put on a neutral test shoe, get on a treadmill, and start running for a few seconds. Then Heather shows me the video and what my feet were doing. I am amazed at how well she ties my shoes. Turns out you need a size larger than your normal size for running. We try a few different shoes in the medium stability range, and I get on the treadmill to make sure they feel good during a workout. I am pleasantly surprised at the price, because online prices are averaging $150, but this shoe is only about $120. I get a headlamp, so I can feel safer when running in the dark. Overall, a good experience. Heather really knows what she is talking about, is able to answer all my questions, and I feel prepared to continue moving toward better health and fitness. Weight: 267 Workout time: 63Minutes Distance (total): 2.74 Miles Run Portion: Heart Rate (min/max all day): 55/85 Steps: 11,828 Goal: To run 10.5 miles in one day by 11

It’s a cool day, and though it is clear and at the peak of temperature for the day, my hands are cold. I try to keep a positive attitude and recognize success in my efforts, but sometimes I don’t celebrate wins and tend to just look for the next challenge I must overcome. Perhaps I need to work on that. I look forward to a visit to a running store to finally get equipped to run in the dark. Running is harder in the cold weather, because it is harder to get the needed volume of air into my lungs. I think and hope that I must be getting a better workout on days like these because I’m putting forth more effort, even though it is the same amount of work. Before the fall of Lance Armstrong I watched a lot of cycling and remember athletes talking about “going deeper”. With guys at that level, it is not a matter of who’s trying harder, or who has the best gear. It comes down to the physical makeup of each man’s body, the organic equipment. That’s when I learned how important oxygen is to physical performance. Diet-w

I explain the absence of trail audio from yesterday, it was an audio problem. This time of year, trying to get out and exercise is a race against the sun because the days are so short. Today it is darker and colder, and there are not many people on the trail. Today is also one of those difficult days. The cold makes it harder to breathe once I start my run. I’ve been asked how cold it will have to be for me to not come out. I plan to run in any temperature as long as it isn’t icy or otherwise unsafe. I break up my run because I don’t make the half mile on the first try. It’s important to visualize the goal, the mile marker I am trying to reach. But just visualizing it and focusing on it is not always enough. Today it was not. I continue to think about why I run. Another benefit of exercise is the mental effects. I’ve had a stressful day and one good way to lower that stress level is exercise. Since I am talking and I know someone might listen to this someday, I am not going to say a lot of the things I would

Title: Why Do You Run? The excitement is still fresh in my mind about the half mile I ran yesterday. Although I have walked off and on even in recent years, I have not run in a long time, so it is great to be able to do that. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much to an experienced runner, but to me it’s a real accomplishment. I am also excited to be associated with Tom Rohr who started the Padua Podcast Network. This was not mentioned by name in the show, but obviously Running: A Fever is part of it now. Tom is doing some amazing things, and I really enjoyed dinner with him and his wife Therese last night. I hope to be releasing episodes more frequently in the future. Today I’m hoping to run a half mile again, but I just do the best I can. That’s all we can do, but we have to try to do better. I do run a half mile, all together this time, and if feels good after a couple of minutes. I record the entire time, including the run, but unfortunately there was an audio problem that could not be fixed. When I stop running

It’s early morning and a very cold 35 degrees. And it’s a little different seeing that low temperature when I’m going to be spending 40-50 minutes outside. Chafing may be an issue for people who are overweight, like I am, or for anyone depending on how one’s body is built. It’s important to have either running tights or underwear that covers those areas so you don’t have skin-on-skin friction. I’m new at this, and everything is a learning experience. So, though it isn’t pleasant to speak of such things, I’m always going to keep it real, even when a difficult topic comes up. This episode is sponsored by my mother Hank Davis, who graciously provided the hat and gloves that are keeping me warm today. Let’s also appreciate what’s good about running in the winter: no bugs, cooling, less irritants in the air. So I hope I can remember and appreciate these things on the many cold workouts I am sure are ahead. I’m excited and motivated that I have progressed to the point of being able to run about a half mile. It’s gr

After passing my test I am able to devote more time to things I love like podcasting. A thought came to me during my morning meditation: Do you love your life enough to make it last as long as possible? I think I do. I look forward to many days and the things I can do with them. So it feels good to be working out every day because I feel like I am prolonging the life I love. I have more energy today, which is great because the last couple of days have been tough. It gets dark quick and I’m concerned about having reflective gear so I don’t get hit by a cyclist. I like to look ahead and pick a point of reference to look toward. I need to have a goal and that allowed me to run more than a quarter mile today. I can see myself running a half mile pretty soon. The math works out that if I continue progress at this rate I will have no trouble hitting my goal by the deadline of November 18, 2018. And just to be clear, the goal is to run two laps in a single day, so I don’t anticipate running that distance every day.

Running has become like one of those things I really enjoy but never do. I put it in that class even though I have only missed 3 days since I started almost three weeks ago. It’s in that class of things. But just because I may be in a rut, doesn’t mean I have to stay there. This show is all about change, a journey. A journey is by its nature full of change: a change of scenery, a change of perspective, a change in life experience. Change is the goal, to change from what I am into something better. I was only able to record one sentence during the run because the wind was so high today. I am starting to level off on my progress, and hope to continue the upward swing soon. Weight: 268 Workout time: 54 Minutes Distance (total): Miles Run Portion: .25 Miles Heart Rate (min/max all day): 64/73 Steps: 9801 Goal: To run 10.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18

I quote my friend quoting a mystic who said one can hear the voice of God by sitting under a cedar tree while the sun rises. This is a busy day on the trail with lots of noise including loud exhaust systems, children playing, dogs, bikes, and more. And it is hard work for me as I realize that in this journey as in any other serious venture, some days are much harder than others. A retraction about signs along the trail, and I discover the “milestones”. Sharing a journey with someone, whether it is a workout partner, or just someone who’s doing the same thing as I am, helps me stay motivated. I can share with them my successes and failures as I aim for something new and good in my life. I hope you are sharing this journey with me, and I hope to hear about yours. Weight: 268 Workout time: 52 Minutes Distance (total): 2.71 Miles Run Portion: Unknown Heart Rate (min/max all day): 65/79 Steps: 9088 Goal: To run 10.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18

No ill effects from yesterday’s twinge. I always keep in mind the potential of injury and try to avoid it. I try to drill that into my mind and keep focused on it. Muscle weighs more than fat, so there could be an initial weight gain or slow weight loss, but the shape of my body will change, so I should feel differently. There are physical realities of how much one can do as one gets older. I’m not sure what they are, in terms of building muscle and things like that, and maybe it’s better that I don’t know. I am working out every day, but still too lazy to go fifty yards off the course to get a drink of water! I do some math, which is difficult during exercise. Athletes should not be thought of in terms of a low-intelligence stereotype – it takes math skills to be good if you are serious about it! Signs are everywhere, but I am getting used to the course and some of them are confusing. I have a lot of energy today. Going over 2.5 miles seems like a milestone and I feel good about the progress I have made. Wei

My first morning run! Time management forces me to be flexible with my workout schedule. I have some concerns about early morning running, such as cold muscles, darkness, and whether I will get to work on time. As a precaution I decide to make this an all-walk, no-run workout. I am doing dynamic stretching, but have no clear direction on how to do it. I like the progress I am seeing in the lengthening of my workouts and an increased number of steps on my pedometer. I get some good advice from an experienced runner and a coach about socks, which will help with my foot pain. I wear compression socks because I have had cellulitis in the past, but those socks are too thin and I need to add another layer. The trail is quiet at this early hour, but there are still several runners getting their early road work in. I feel a twinge in a gluteal muscle, one of those little aches and pains that I can work through. I hope for 9000 steps for the day, but eventually fall short of that. Weight: 269 Workout time: 43 min Dist

It’s great to be past that statistically significant seventh episode, by which most podcasts end. But that’s only a statistic. Time is a factor. How would I get my runs in if my schedule was less flexible or more hectic? What about my goal? We have setbacks, and it’s important not to look at a setback as a failure. It can be too easy to pronounce the project failed and just quit. When I got back from Thanksgiving it was too dark to work out, so I missed that day, but I got right back at it the following day. We all have setbacks, we just need to move on. Everyone has setbacks, so the difference between those who succeed and those who do not is that the successful do not quit, work through those failures. Mental toughness is a big part of this thing. Weight: 268 Workout time: 40 min Distance (total): 1.89 Miles Run Portion: 1.75 minutes Heart Rate (min/max all day): 66/110 Steps: 9275 Goal: To run 11.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18  

“It’s beautiful … this stretch.” I finally take a new route starting at the marina that turns out to be much more picturesque and interesting. There are woods, a dam, a bridge, and a waterfall-like spillway. Here are some pictures. More advice about warmups: stretch after the workout to avoid soreness by releasing the lactic acid that builds up in the muscles. New in this episode: CAR TIPS: Let your car warm up for at least a minute before you start driving. Maybe up to a two minute run, I think, but it’s really hard to tell, I tend to lose track of my counting when I’m running. Weight: 268 Workout time: 31 min Distance (total): 1.55 Miles Run Portion: 1.5 minutes Heart Rate (min/max all day): 65/103 Steps: 8255 Goal: To run 11.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18  

I discuss my weight and how that affects what I can do at this point in my journey. Losing weight is a conundrum. I need to have enough nutrition to do the exercise I need to do, but eating lighter will help me lose weight faster, which would make working out easier. So far I haven’t found a new part of the course. Pain is part of this process, but sometimes running helps me feel better. I get into a routine of drinking water, 20oz pre-run, 40oz post-run. Weight: 271 Workout time: 38 min Distance (total): 1.87 Miles Run Portion: 1.25 minute Heart Rate (min/max all day): 62/95 Steps: 7112 Goal: To run 11.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18

Back from Thanksgiving after three days off, I get right back in to the swing of things. What happened? It was the taking of Dad’s advice combined with the usual holiday temptations. Christmas? Who knows? But I’m not giving up and waiting for a new year’s resolution. Great weather today. I was planning to find a place to park so I could start at a different part of the course. Though I was unsuccessful, it gave me a chance to talk about stretching, both static and dynamic. On the trail, an easy warmup leads to a one-minute run, which is progress according to my plan of adding fifteen seconds each day. A review of exercise, or the lack thereof, over the weekend, and a look forward to exercise with the family at Christmas. I get to know the trail a little better and find a map that tells me how to get to another part of the course next time. Starting again after a several-day break is a little challenging, but the important thing is that I am right back into it. LIVE MATH! Not my strong suit, but perhaps my att

Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend I went out walking one day with my Father, who offered some advice on moderation in exercise. In accord with Southern tradition, my family calls me by my middle name Brent, because my father and I have the same first and last names. It may be enough to work out several times a week to give my body time to recover and rebuild before the next workout. But developing a habit of regular exercise is also a good idea. Weight: 269 Time: 25 minutes Distance (total): 1.11 miles Run portion: .75 minutes Heart Rate (min/max): 77/90 Goal: To run 11.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18