An Addition to Yesterdays blog on 7/30/2012

I remember plain as day when Tony did in fact walk home.  He disappeared in a second and we were all looking for him frantically.  Mom was distraught and couldn't decide whether to hug him or kill him when he came  walking down the street, yes with those smelly shells still in hand.  Mother decided to hug him but threw the shells out she was so mad he made her worry so

That's when we knew that Tony had a remarkable sense of direction which he maintains today!!! My daughter takes after him in that regard.

Thanks for the lovely tribute, I loved reading it.

Training for Randall's First Marathon

"No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars or sailed an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit."– Helen Keller

Well on Saturday, July 28, Randall, Diane and I did our long trail run of about 22 miles. We started our journey early in the morning and had an aid station at the firehouse in Cool. Thank you Randall and Diane for providing that aid station. During the run, Randall told me that Diane planed to join him on his first marathon in October. She recently decided to do it and that will be her first as well. Going from my house to Cool went well as the morning temperature was still reasonable. However, the return trip was a different story. I left the aid station at a walk since they were not ready to leave just yet. Randall advised me to go ahead and they would catch me.

While walking, I finished my sandwich that Randall had made lovingly. Then I just started running. Heading towards Highway 49, I looked behind but did not see either one of them. I did the same while running down the Quarry Trail. Still, there was no sight of them. I thought they would have caught me by now, but they didn’t. Then I reached the river trail or the Western States-Tevis trail on my way towards Brown’s Bar. After reaching Brown’s Bar, I wondered where they were. Did something happen to them was one thought that I had. Meanwhile, the temperature rose significantly. I knew that hydration could be an issue. I also knew that the longer and further that I ran the more unlikely they would catch me. I passed runners coming in the opposite direction as well as a male rider that I knew. I was getting more thirstier and tired as time went on. I eventually reached the 16 mile marker on the Western States Trail and began the ¾ mile walk to my home. By this time, I was exhausted from the heat. Not having ample water was also a contributing factor.  I was looking forward to having my smoothie when I reached home.

Roughly, 15 or so minutes later I saw Randall and Diane coming down the street towards my home. Randall couldn’t believe that I was home and waiting for them.  He even asked if I took a shorter trail.  

I hydrated a lot at home and an hour in a half later began to feel normal again. Of course a short nap worked wonders. Sunday, Linda, Nails Digger and I hit the trail again. I felt rested and ran well today. I was pleased with my recovery. As I told Randall, “I think of every run as a conditioning run, bar none.”

Adeline Brickel

"Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is."– Aleksei Peshkov

Unfortunately, Secretariat was not with us this weekend. His mother Adeline born in Ohio on October 28, 1915 recently passed. He joined his older brother Jim and older sister Penny in Southern California taking care of family business. Secretariat loved his mom and frequently went back to Southern California to visit.

One story that she told was when she met his father Alpha during the Second World War. She loved going to the USO and dancing with the soldiers at the Hollywood Canteen in the LA area. Incidentally, that is where she met Alpha at the USO.

Adeline loved her garden and spent much of her time in that setting. She worked as a seamstress and even worked on a bridesmaid dress for a Nixon relative. She loved playing poker and even taught one of her hospice workers how to play so that she could play with her boyfriend.

When Secretariat was either six or seven his mother and older brother and sister were at Venice Beach. He collected seashells that had a foul odor. Secretariat planned on taking the shells home with him. This was in Culver City and about 6 to 7 or so miles from the beach. When he told his mother of his plan, she said “either get rid of those shells or walk home.” Secretariat can be strong-willed and stubborn. So at that young age he walked home with his foul smelling shells. At a later date, Adeline reminded Secretariat of the incident and confessed that she felt guilty for telling him to walk home.

Secretariat laughed when he told me the story and I laughed as well. Keep those memories my friend. You were fortunate to have a mother like her.

From Secretariat"s Sister Penny:

I remember plain as day when Tony did in fact walk home.  He disappeared in a second and we were all looking for him frantically.  Mom was distraught and couldn't decide whether to hug him or kill him when he came  walking down the street, yes with those smelly shells still in hand.  Mother decided to hug him but threw the shells out she was so mad he made her worry so

That's when we knew that Tony had a remarkable sense of direction which he maintains today!!! My daughter takes after him in that regard.

Thanks for the lovely tribute, I loved reading it.

 

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth - Part 20

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take."– Wayne Gretsky

Yesterday, I ran a short 5 mile loop with Digger our short -haired white terrier. Today, Linda, her Arabian Nails, Digger and I are going out on the trail for a run and a ride. Tomorrow, I plan on joining Randall and Diane for a trail run. Randall has entered his first marathon in October so he wanted to get in some heavy miles for preparation. I suggested we run to Cool and back which will give us at least 22 miles. He’s planning on dropping a vehicle off in Cool and that will be our aid station. Just the other day Randall wanted me to explain the difference between an aid station and a rest stop to Diane which I did (inside joke).

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth - Part 20

Periodically, I had to step up on a scale to be weighed. My body weight was measured before the run, and, at times, during the run.  If I had lost 7% of body weight, race management would have pulled me from the race because this suggested a significant depletion of body fluids and possible loss of gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal function.  At Rucky Chucky there was a scale.  I soon found out that I was unable to step up on this scale because my quads and hamstrings were shot and hurting.  Fortunately, my pacer Chuck held me up right by grabbing the back of my shirt, pushing me toward and up on the scale. If he had not held and pushed me, I do not think I could have easily stepped up on the scale.  Lucky me, I was within a favorable weight range and therefore I was able to continue the race. 

 During the grueling segments of this run and they were many and they were frequent, I employed positive self talk or affirmations two psychological principles. I told myself  that I was making progress by putting 1 foot in front of the other and  repeated “I can, I can.“ if there was a tree, ahead,  I said,” run to that next tree, run to that next tree” and so on. This mental toughness or suffering cannot be overlooked during this run.  How or the manner in which I thought as well as what I thought about was significant. Keeping my thinking positive was important as the mind-body process never stops working.

To be continued:

Franco Finn, Randall's Marathon,and Build Your Base

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."– Thomas Jefferson

Last night I enjoyed being interviewed by Franco Finn. The interview was about 30 minutes and I had a chance to reflect and respond to some of his questions which were quite appropriate. For those of you that have missed it you can go to this link:   livestream.com/TRadioV                          

Today, Randall and I started early and ran about a 10 mile trail run. After leaving my house, we reached Wildcat Canyon Trail and took that to the Western States Trail at approximately the 13 mile marker. From there we headed towards Brown’s Bar and down to the river trail in the direction of the infamous, steep, ruddy Maine Bar Trail. From there we headed back to my house.

At age 57, Randall is training for his first marathon scheduled for October 13. Up to this point he’s run 22 miles as his longest. We plan on running this weekend to get in another 22 plus or minus miles to get him ready for the marathon. He told me he would like to be able to run the Way too Cool 50 km in March of 2013. He mentioned that he was inspired this past year when he and his wife Diane joined Secretariat and me for the last 5 to 10 miles of the 2012 Way Too Cool .Randall is doing it correctly. He is building his base slowly and as a result he has been relatively free from injury as of late.

I told him that I view my runs as training runs.  This translates into thinking that this current run prepares me for my next and so forth.  Randall started talking about doing a 50 miler. I told him let’s focus on this weekend’s run and not get ahead of himself.  He has plenty of time. First, build your base. I ran across an article regarding Meghan Arbogast in the May, 2011 edition of Trail Runner. Secretariat and I met her at this year’s Jed Smith 50 km run

The article stated that make that Meghan was a road marathoner in her 30s. And at age 42 she began seriously training for ultras. She admitted that at first she didn’t like trail running because of the sections that were so difficult that one had to hike. Now of course she’s hooked on trail running and has the US record for 50 miles.   It’s clear that good things can happen when you have a base and you are relatively free from injury. Ones potential can be unlimited. Randall, I hope you’re listening. Practice, practice, practice or what Thomas Jefferson would say “hard work.”

Trail Running, Kayaking and Podcast Interview

"I just kept on doing what everyone starts out doing. The real question is, why did other people stop?"– William Stafford

Last Saturday Carrie, Randall, Diane, Secretariat and I got up early and did a trail run. We ran from my house to Green Gate (Western States Trail). On the way back, we took the Dead Truck Trail, crossed American Canyon Creek on the way to Poverty Bar (the Tevis crossing) as Carrie hadn’t seen it before. Reaching Maine Bar, Carrie, Secretariat and I decided to separate from Randall and Diane. Randall wanted to get in additional miles (2) so they took the river trail to Brown’s bar and headed home from there. The three of us were content to do the Maine Bar climb even though the temperature started to heat up. During our run, of about 10 miles, all of us encouraged Secretariat to hydrate because of his affliction. He has been very good about his hydration. In fact I have not seen him drink a beer for some time.

Yesterday, Secretariat, Debbie, Linda and I went kayaking. We drove to Negro Bar one of the aid stations on the American River 50 endurance run. There, we launched our kayaks. Going upstream we had to deal with the current and of course all the rocks and boulders in and around the lake. We had fun along with a good exercise day.

Today, I am going to be interviewed by Franco Finn -radio TV podcast at 6:15 PM. The focus of the interview is going to be related to “It Has Nothing to Do with Age.” I’m looking forward to it. Listen to us at this website livestream.com/TRadioV  and/or call 877-699-4662 with comments.

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth- Part 19

"No one can really pull you up very high — you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains."– Louis Brandeis

Eventually, I reached Forest Hill, another major checkpoint, after running a grueling, exhausting, difficult tough 62 miles. There, I met my first pacer and friend Chuck, a 50 something-year-old male runner as day turned to night. Now I am in the darkness with nothing but an LED light to navigate the rutted, rocky single switch backs with their unforgiving steep, deathlike, treacherous drop-offs. The night trail was marked with product called glow- sticks hanging from tree limbs. These products give off light, are helpful and they allowed me to keep on the trail and determine where I was going. Luckily, I did not fall, trip or sustain an injury on this hazardous night section of the trail. If I was injured, I was stuck in the middle of nowhere and would more than likely really be in trouble. For the next 18 miles or so, Chuck kept talking to me (I told him I was too tired to talk back to him) and kept feeding me a product called GU. This product had glucose which feed my brain and me. During this night run, I very quickly discovered that my quads and hamstrings hurt .I kept in the present - mindfulness and acknowledged that I was suffering. It was difficult to deny the reality, since I found that I was in discomfort and had difficulty running downhill. In fact, I could not run downhill. So I am now doing a shuffle. Another problem occurred; my electrolyte drink didn’t taste right (improper mix) so I stopped drinking it. Fortunately, I didn’t get into trouble with a sodium or potassium imbalance. We eventually reached Rucky Chucky another checkpoint aid station at 78 miles. Now it was time to get on the scale to get weighed.


To be continued:






Don't forget the Ride & Tie Championship is Saturday.

Carrie,Cool Ride & Tie, and Mild Cognitive Impairment

"Once the 'what' is decided, the 'how' always follows. We must not make the 'how' an excuse for not facing and accepting the 'what.'"– Pearl S. Buck

Today, Carrie joined us for our trail run. Also, Secretariat and Carrie brought their critters to run with us. We ran a short 6 mile loop. Both of them got out in front of me and raced the last hundred yards or so even though Secretariat still has not received word about his medical condition. During the run, we talked about our recent Golden Gate trail run with its beauty as well as its difficulty. Also, mark your calendars for the Cool Ride and Tie scheduled for October 13. Join us.

Sitting on the deck after the run, we talked about dating and being active. As we know, people are having difficulty being active which in turn is a health concern. An article in Time, January 30, 2012 titled Exercise Game On, Grandma stated that exercise is good for the body and the brain. Then the article went on to say that unfortunately individuals who are most likely to benefit are not physically robust enough to exercise. What a sad statement that is.

They talked about a study of 102 older adults there were assigned to ride a stationary bike equipped with a virtual reality screen that allowed the riders to cycle through different environments and interact with obstacles. Another group of adults rode on traditional stationary bikes. The findings were that the cyber cycle subjects lowered their risk of progressing into mild cognitive impairment by 23% compared to the traditional riders.

Perhaps, mild cognitive impairment might precede Alzheimer’s. In any event, the researchers suggested that the cyber or virtual reality screen allowed these individuals to engage their bodies and their brains while cycling.

To make a long story short, just think of the benefits of trail running. While running, my brain is engaged not only in mindfulness but also paying attention to the trail with its roots, rocks etc. but also thinking about my goals, plans for the day, and working through psychological or other issues. Lucky me, as I also get to engage with my friends. Be active folks because it’s good for you.

Stud Muffin and a Trail Run

"If you treat an individual as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be."– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Early this morning and I do mean early, Secretariat and Randall came by the house to do our trail run. We started earlier than usual since Randall had to be home early for his work assignment. Secretariat was still concerned about his medical condition since he has not yet heard from his doctor. Hopefully, when he hears from his doctor, the news will be good. In any event, it is on his mind. We ran until we reached Brown’s bar and then headed on the River Trail to Maine Bar before returning to my house. According to Secretariats GPS, we ran about 8 miles I maintained that the distance was longer.

During this trail run, we talked about Stud Muffin the name given to Secretariat by a world-class ultra female runner. He was given that name while he was in his prime. We also constantly reminded Secretariat to hydrate and he did.

Randall has entered a marathon, his first, on October 13 in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, the Cool Ride and Tie was scheduled for the same date. Randall was running well and seemed stronger and stronger. I predict him to be successful on his marathon.

After the run, we discussed his camel back. Linda and I have about three as well. We discussed the merits and demerits of use. He’s pretty excited about his and was selling me on the idea of using one as well. Currently, I use either two hand held water bottles and a fanny pack or a holster that carries two water bottles. I agree that a camel back works well on long run without water.

Running on Top of the World

"The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach."– Benjamin Mays

What a run. Saturday, Secretariat and I ran a trail run in the Marin Headlands. Like all trail runs in Marin, this 30 km was tough with the many elevation changes. The temperature was about 45 degrees cooler with its fog than the foothills with its triple digit temperatures. The views were spectacular as we ran on trails above and parallel to the Pacific Ocean. At one location   up high in the fog, and on the left, were the upper stanchions of the Golden Gate Bridge level to the eye. It was unbelievable to be at that elevation and looking down at that famous bridge. Of course, the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge were in the background.

Since Secretariat was "recovering" from a medical consultation, he ran with me during our event. At the finish, I got next to him, got his attention, and ran faster. He did the same and came in one second in front of me. We both laughed. Eventually, we were awarded our Gold Medals. For me it was another successful and fun time, with my friend, in Marin. It is also difficult to top the transcendence of being in that magical setting on top of the world.

Bad Dreams and a Trail Run in Marin

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."– Aristotle

Wednesday I presented a quiz regarding bad dreams.  The answers are as follows: a yes response to statements 1, 2.5,6,7,8, or 9 could be a sign of a nightmare disorder found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Hopefully, you answered no to those statements.

On another note, Secretariat, Debbie, Linda and I traveled to Loon Lake yesterday for a day of kayaking with our Advanced Elements, kayaks.  For Secretariat and I it was a day of tapering for Saturday’s 30 km trail run held at Rodeo Beach in Marin County.  We are leaving today and plan to spend the evening with Carrie in Tiburon.  This run is going to be tough as there is close to a mile of vertical climb. I am looking forward to the cool weather as it has been very warm (triple digits) here in the foothills.

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth -Part 18

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."– Vincent Lombardi

This information is continued from yesterday’s blog regarding sleep and dreams.  A brief quiz to take, consider and perhaps give insight to your sleep disturbance.

Answer either yes or no to the following 10 questions:

1. I have disturbing dreams at least once a week.

2. I often wake up because of bad dreams.

3.  As I go to sleep, I feel like I am falling or being paralyzed.

4. My nightmares are caused by stress about work or relationships.

5.  I get anxious before bedtime; because I think I might have a nightmare.

6.  I have the same terrible nightmares repeatedly.

7.  I remember the fear during bad dreams, but not all the specific details.

8.  During nightmares, I experience not only anxiety but also anger or shame.

9. When I remember a bad dream, I dwell on it the next day.

10.  My spouse or partner tells me I have night terrors that I do not remember.

  The answers will be given on a later blog.

Eight(8) Psychological Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth-Part 18

I was extremely tired (suffering) at this point, and incorporated*mindfulness (meditation, concentration) which is our Psychological concept # 8 at that time. I knew I was tired and I did not attempt to deny or distort that fact. Keeping in the present, identifying what I was feeling was paramount. I knew I was supposed to be tired. Running was hard work. I focused inward and paid attention to my breathing- I imagined air going in and out of my nostrils (inhaling- exhaling), I paid attention and scanned my entire body for tightness from head to foot, I focused and identified my suffering, I turned to my thoughts to confront any negativity, and I became more and more relaxed which was a key. Turning the focus inward on self, assists with acknowledging suffering, being mentally tough, being in the here and now thus using the capacity for willpower muscles to keep me going, not stopping. I also made sure that I ate and had glucose to fuel my brain. Thank goodness my sweat glands were working under these extreme conditions that helped keep me cooler.


At the Michigan Bluff aid station some 55 miles (a record) into the run, I sat down for the first time, changed into a dry shirt, chatted with crew briefly and quickly headed down the trail again.




To be continued:

Aging,Depression,Insomnia and It Has Nothing To Do With Age

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood."– Marie Curie

Depression is a major mental health issue that has negative implications as we age.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal dated April 10, 2012, suggested that depression is an ailment of the entire body.  This is significant, because this “brain disease” Is being viewed as a systemic illness.  For example, individuals who have had major bouts with depression have an increased risk of developing conditions associated with aging.  One explanation suggests that depression causes cells to age prematurely.  Depression and early aging is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke, dementia, and osteoporosis and type II diabetes.  In other words, untreated depression can affect both the medical and cognitive during the aging process.

About 20 years ago, researchers at Duke University found that the brain scans of older people with depression showed much faster age-related loss of volume in the brain, compared with people without depression.  Reset studies of what is believed to be associated with aging and the cellular level have looked at telomeres.  Telomeres are a protective covering at the end of chromosomes that have been recognized as playing an important role in aging.  Our telomeres get shorter as we age. Telomeres shortening are associated with cell division.  When cell division stops, were in trouble. It is no wonder, that shortened telomeres also are related to an increased risk of disease and mortality.  Further, recent studies suggest that shortened telomeres are associated with such things as depression childhood trauma, and PTSD.

One clue or symptom related to depression is having difficulty with sleep, either falling or staying asleep.  Sleep is very important, since it allows our brain to go into another mode that replenishes itself. Without the necessary amount of sleep we do not function at our best to say the least.  We have all been around grumpy old men that have not received enough sleep.

 An article in the July 9 edition of Time talked about insomnia, bad dreams and/or nightmares.  Apparently 60 million Americans suffer from insomnia. One issue contributing to our sleeplessness might be the things we dream about. If you are having difficulty with your sleeping, your dreams, or depression find a mental health expert for evaluation and treatment.  For those interested in additional information about telomeres look up TA 65 on the Internet.

Aging can be good or it can be one of the unhappiest times in your life.  Some older people like to talk about their medical conditions and their illness.  I prefer to be around individuals who are vibrant in spirit as well as activity. If you follow my 7 prescriptions found in my book, you just might become a happy centenarian.  The choice is yours and yours alone.

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth- Part 17

"No one can really pull you up very high — you lose your grip on the rope. But on your own two feet you can climb mountains."– Louis Brandeis

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth- Part 17

After leaving Robinson Flat, the temperature began to rise; it climbed in the direction of triple digits.  It was fairly common and typical for temperatures to exceed 100°F, this time of year.  It was extremely hot; in the canyons along with the stifling- heavy air between Last Chance and Michigan Bluff. This section of the run was extremely difficult, as runners are spread out. It is hot; I am thirsty, and beginning to tire. Luckily, and I mean luckily, I did not experience any medical problems such as altitude sickness, gastrointestinal conditions, kidney failure, heat stroke, or hypo or hyperthermia, injuries from falling, muscle necrosis, overuse injury, fatigue, poison oak, nor do I get lost.  These are typical physical problems and likely for runners in this extremely grueling event. It was also common as I saw runners puking, nursing injuries, and lying alongside the trail and just out of gas. A quote by Chuck Gabri “run like a turtle and drink like a fish” fits.

It was extremely important and necessary to keep my core cooled during this unusually long sweltering, grueling day. This meant, when I reached an aid station, I quickly grabbed ice cubes, put them in a baggie, and placed the cool pack on my head and under my cap.  The fact that the ice cubes melted, did not matter. I was attempting to cool my core. Another core cooling technique that I used was whenever there was water like in a stream; I took my hat off, soaked it in the stream and placed it back on my head.  It was important and necessary to consume eating 200 to 300 calories per hour.  I generally did not have difficulty with my stomach, and I was able to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, GU20, ensure, water and salt tablets. One important and significant key was to maintain proper electrolyte and hydration balance. Too much or too little salt or water results in trouble. Remembering my 3 million functional sweat glands, I also kept the sun off my neck with a hat with an attachment that rested on my shoulders. I must have resembled a soldier in the foreign legion.

To be continued:

                  Depression is a Significant Health Risk

The following “general “information is provided by the National Inst. of Mental Health as pertaining to the differences in symptoms of depression for men, women,  and older adults.  To illustrate, men are more likely to be very tired, irritable and even angry.  They may even lose interest in work, activities they once enjoyed, and likely have sleep problems as well.

Women on the other hand, experience symptoms related to biological, life cycle and hormonal factors. They also, experience symptoms of sadness, worthlessness, and guilt.

Older adults may be less likely to admit to feelings of sadness or grief.  They are also more likely to have medical conditions like heart disease or stroke, which can contribute to depression.  Further, certain medications may also have side effects that even contribute to depression.

Children, on the other hand, may pretend to be sick, refuse to go to school, cling to a parent or worry a parent may die. Older children or teens may cause trouble at school and be irritable.

It is important to get a professional diagnosis and treatment since depression has major and significant implications throughout one’s life, especially in old age.  More health related information to follow.

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."– Albert Einstein

Last Thursday I presented a paper titled Exercise and the Brain at the prestigious, spiritual, and cultural Chautauqua Inst. in New York state founded in the late 1800s.  I must say that the grounds were spectacular, and the setting out of this world with its old Victorians, interesting looking seasoned trees, with a beautiful view of Lake Chautauqua.  Also, my talk was well attended and went quite well.  Linda told me this presentation was my best ever.  I thanked her for that.

After spending four delightful days there, we played tourists and traveled to Niagara-on-the-Lake and hiked near and around the magnificent Niagara Falls. Although many people have said that the Falls are more spectacular on the Canadian side, both Linda and I enjoyed hiking and viewing the Falls on the American side.  While staying at a resort and spa at Niagara-on-the-Lake, I learned something valuable.  I spent 30 minutes on a treadmill and was able to tolerate it much better than spending an hour.  In other words, if I am on a treadmill for an hour, I look constantly at the time and cannot wait till I get off.  By reducing the time to half an hour, my experience of the treadmill was significantly better.  The idea of going to a fitness facility seems much more reasonable to me at this point.

By the way, Canada is celebrating the 200^th year anniversary of the War of 1812.  The Canadian point of view or perception is very different from ours.  According to their historical facts, the British won the war by keeping the territory in and around Fort George that is located in Ontario.  The US forces at that time, from Fort Niagara were repelled and the territory remained and controlled by the British.  Once again, perception is reality.  One’s perception can differ from person to person, and sometimes has nothing to do with facts.  So in essence, what we perceive is our reality but not necessarily the truth.

I am pleased that Secretariat posted a picture of his mother on yesterday’s blog.  I encouraged him to post more pictures.  I bet he will.

Well, it is time to hit the trail and take Digger, my wire haired carrier, with me for about a 10 mile run.  Remember, keep moving.

Eight (8) Principles for Finding the Fountain of Youth - Part 16

"The be-all and end-all of life should not be to get rich, but to enrich the world."– Bertie Charles Forbes

Today is a sad day, as I just learned about the passing of Secretariat’s mother at age 96.  My heartfelt condolences go to the Brickel family- sister Penny and brother Jim.  Unfortunately, I never met Mrs.  Brickel but I heard a lot about her.  It is no wonder that Secretariat has a fun loving, no nonsense, and a giving- personality.  He certainly takes after his mother who had those qualities as well.  She certainly enriched the lives of her kids, as her kids enrich the lives of others. The world has just lost a remarkable  spunky woman.

From Secretariat: Thank you for the kind words Frank. I added a picture and the rules she lived by.

Continued- The Eight (8) Principles  for Finding the Fountain of Youth
 



Periodically, I thought about how many miles I had completed, how many miles yet to go, and calculated my running pace. I also thought about the next aid station and the various things that I had to accomplish and take care of such as having water bottles filled, taking electrolyte tablets, applying sun screen and making sure I am eating.

 Positive self talk, which is our Psychological concept# 6 and * affirmations which is our Psychological concept # 7 both importantly came into play (I can). Keeping positive in thinking was necessary. Negative thinking or doubts affects running performance. It is very important to monitor, challenge and confront any irrational ideas. Yes, negatives do enter. I did not want to sabotage my ability to complete this monumental undertaking. The body communicates with the mind and the mind communicates with the body, which affect performance. Keeping mentally tough or having strong or not having strong willpower muscles is a key for success or failure.

It was now daylight, everyone was friendly, helpful and I am feeling good at this point. After leaving Chuck’s aid station, I proceeded and eventually reached Robinson Flat, the first major aid station, and met my crew- sister Beverly and my girlfriend for the first time at a distance completed of 24.6 miles. I was looking forward and thought about seeing them, and that was great motivator for me. I just completed approximately one marathon and now only had three more to go.


To be Continued :