Enjoying Sex,Jed Smith,Way too Cool and Tappering

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
– Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

On January 25^th, Tony, Chris and I ran the first part of a Way too Cool training run at the Olmsted in Cool. The distance was roughly 8 miles, and we covered that distance quickly. I am pleased about how I am running and I know Tony is pleased about his running as well.

  On January 26, we started celebrating Randall’s 59^th birthday with a trail run. The plan was to run from Cronin ranch to the Salmon Falls Bridge about 8 1/2 miles. Randall, Madhu, Farah, Chris, Tony and I started our run there. Since Tony and I are tapering for our 50 K ( Jed Smith  for me) (Orcas Island 50K for Tony), we didn’t push, to the limit, during that run. Diane met us at the Salmon Falls Bridge after the run.  Madhu, who is not tapering, ran back to the Cronin ranch. His brother asked him to join him in a 100 K Quicksilver run in May. Madhu, said he hasn’t committed as of yet.

This evening, we are having a birthday dinner celebration and will be joined by additional friends.

On another note, an article in the October 22, 2013 edition of the Wall Street Journal identified some reasons for having sex. The University of Toronto researchers identified the following: 1. Self-Focused Approach (to pursue a positive outcome for yourself, such as personal pleasure, or to feel closer to your partner) 2. Self-Focused Avoidance (to evade a negative outcome for yourself, for example, wanting to not feel guilty about saying “no” to sex) 3. Partner-Focused Approach (to achieve a positive outcome with your partner, like greater closeness or to make the partner feel good) 4. Partner-Focused Avoidance (to avoid conflict with your partner and prevent him or her from feeling angry or disappointed)

108 heterosexual dating couples completed a survey, and the results were as follows. On  days when a  person’s motivation to have sex is more positively oriented, he or she felt more satisfied-both in  the relationship and sexually-and had a higher level of desire. Conversely, on days when someone was motivated to have sex by more negative goals, he or she felt less satisfied and less desire.

Further, a person’s sexual motivation affected his or her partner’s gratification. When someone had sex for positive reasons, the partner felt more desire and relationship satisfaction. When someone had sex or negative reasons, the partner felt less satisfied in the relationship and less sexually satisfied.

Consider, checking out with your partner, motivation for having sex employing the 4 typical motivations listed above. And, in doing so, evaluate how that relates to the findings of the sex survey also listed above. Hopefully, you are on track for more and better sex. If so, you’re likely to be happier.

In addition, keep moving, laughing, smiling, deep breathing, bonding, loving and employing appreciation.

It Has Nothing To Do With Age Or Gender with guest Jack Sholl

It Has Nothing To Do With Age or Gender with guest Mo Bartley

Seattle Seahawks ,University of Michigan and Chris Turney

“ Character is simply habit long enough continued.”-Plutarch

On January 16, Tony and I interviewed our friend and running partner Chris Turney on “It Has Nothing to Do with Age or Gender.” Chris told us about how his running started at an early age. His running continued In college, and certainly after his college years. His running comrades , at the time, were world-class runners like Dennis Rinde, Jim Howard and others. In the early 1980s, things changed for Chris. At that time, he was introduced to a sport called ride and tie. In fact, he was crewing for his friend Jim Howard’ s team.

Chris was excited and wanted to participate in the sport. However, at the time he did not know how to ride  a horse. Luckily, he had assistance along the way from Dave Poston, Jeff Windenhausen , Pat Browning and others . Chris credits his  ride and tie experience as contributing, to his running improvement. This 2:26 marathoner also ran 50 miles of trail in 5:51. Chris also has two sub 24-hour Western states 100 completions. For more, see our interview : http://youtu.be/51PV9tsKECA

 

This past Sunday, Tony, Linda, Nails and I ran the Olmsted loop. Tony then ran back to his home; Linda put Nails in the horse trailer to take him home ; and  I  ran the trails home. I made it back to my home in time to catch the Broncos beating the Patriots. Then, Linda and I went to Lon and  Cheryl’s(along with Chris, Michelle and Rich ) and watched  the 49ers lose to the Seahawks.

So instead of getting to watch Tom Brady New England Patriots’  (former University of Michigan quarterback )compete against Jim Harbaughs' San Francisco 49ers ( former University of Michigan quarterback) in this year’s Super Bowl, I am  disappointed to say, that I’ll watch two other teams compete.

My current project is a book that comprises  mental toughness, bonding and a college football rivalry between the 1969  Michigan Wolverines coached by Bo Schembechler against Woody Hayes, Ohio State Buckeyes. In my book, you’ll learn about Mike Keller an NFL player who  helped build the Seattle Seahawks expansion team. You will  also learn about ex-Seattle Seahawk coach Chuck Knox, who brought  Reggie McKenzie(Buffalo Bills, all Pro) with him to play in Seattle. With Reggie, this expansion team made it to the postseason  for the first time game.

Those former University of Michigan All-Americans are part of the Seattle Seahawk history. In fact, Reggie informed  me that he is rooting for the Seahawks and I am rooting for the Seahawks in this year’s Super Bowl too.

In the meantime, keep moving, laughing, smiling, deep breathing, bonding, and loving and expressing gratitude as I recommend it.

It Has Nothing Top Do With Age OR Gender

Running Without Pain

"Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that."
– Harold Kushner

Last Thursday, on It Has Nothing to Do with Age or Gender, our TV guest was  none other than ultra runner Madhu Avasarala. Madhu, born in Bangalore, India migrated to this country in the early 1980s to complete a Masters degree in engineering at Howard University. At the time, he was running to stay in shape, and only ran 10 km road races. It was only when he completed his Masters and took a position  in the Bay Area, that he was introduced to ultra trail runs.

Upon returning to India for visiting his family, Madhu  created the first ultra run in Bangalore, India. This well read, lover of music is also a vegan. Being a vegan was part of his growing up in India, and he’s continued it since. Madhu , at an early age, was introduced to Americana through the movies. And once he arrived in the Washington DC area, he acclimated himself very well. To learn more about him and his lifestyle visit   http://youtu.be/wVPNMKeK3is  .

Sunday, Tony and I in preparation for our 50 km trail runs. Ran from my home to the quarry  trail, crossing Highway 49 twice, ran along the river, up  American River Canyon and returned back to my home. Tony was ahead of me and added additional trail totaling about 25 miles. I likely ran about 23 ± trail miles. About halfway, I met Linda, changed some of my clothes and got additional supplies. I told her  at that point that I was feeling great.

After my run, I was surprised about my energy level. I know that I’m running faster based on clock time than I have in a number of years. In thinking about my running efficiency, I believe some of the variables  that have contributed to my change include: I haven’t experienced Achilles issues; I’m now running the hills and not worrying about my Achilles; my expectations(positive feedback) have changed in a positive direction; and I’m increasing my weekly mileage to more than  50 miles per week.

If I really wanted to run a lot faster, I would do track work. For me, there too many trail hazards , so, I run in a more controlled manner. I am looking forward to my 50 km Jed Smith run and expect to run that faster than last year. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, keep moving, smiling, laughing, deep breathing, bonding, and pay attention to gratitude.

It has Nothing To Do With Age Or Gender with guest Madhu Avasarala

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment

Ruin and recovery  are found within.” -Epictetus

 

In the  December 24, 2013 edition of the Wall Street Journal,  there was an article about dealing with alcohol and drug addiction. As we all know, heavy use of alcohol and drugs affects the pleasure or reward centers of the brain which can lead to drive dependence. In the Journal of Internal Medicine, drug testing at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that other centers of the brain are chemically affected as well. It seems that anxiety and tension are also associated with heavy drug and alcohol abuse. Simply put, feelings of anxiety and tension produced by drug and alcohol abuse can only be eased by more consumption. So we not only have dependency issues, we also have anxiety and tension to compound the problem.

So it’s not surprising that many of the drug and alcohol treatment’s ; for example medication’s have  been unsuccessful. Currently,  the pharmaceuticals are coming up with new medications to affect these neurotransmitters. So this might mean better living through chemistry.

Of course with any medication treatment, it is recommended that counseling or therapy be added as well. I would suggest adding movement or exercise to anyone who has a drug and/or alcohol dependency problem. Yes, prescription medication has great benefits along with psychotherapy. But it  seems to me, the body and not just the mind should be treated likewise. My approach is that a sound mind can lead to a sound body and a  sound body can lead to a sound mind. And I talk the talk and walk the walk.

Yesterday, Tony, Carrie , Porter(the dog) and I ran down  Brown’s Bar and up Maine Bar  for about a 10 mile or so trail run. Whatever you do, do not forget to keep moving, smiling, laughing, deep breathing, bonding, and having gratitude in order to live happier and longer.

The Evolving Brain

"A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."
– Albert Einstein

 

We all know that exercise is important for well-being. And , exercise and movement are necessary and   especially important in order for our brain to continue to evolve. It is clear that  neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine   and brain  opiates are influenced by exercise and physical activity. With that being so, without exercise, we increase the likelihood of a mood disorder, and/or  cognitive decline. So in order to reduce anxiety, reduce depression, elevate mood, improve memory and enhance your life, keep moving. Moving could consist of cardiovascular training and/or resistance training. And if you add proper nutrition to this formula, you’ll be able to do the unbelievable. In other words, you will surprise yourself.

On New Year’s Day, I ran my fourth consecutive 10 mile trail(Resolution) run in Auburn. And on the previous Sunday, I ran close to 20 miles on the trail and then I rested  Monday and Tuesday. For  the past 10 years or so, I started tapering 10 days prior to an event decreasing mileage on consecutive days. This time I deviated from my past routine. I didn’t know how the new training might affect my run on New Year’s Day. I am happy to say that I ran faster during this race than prior. You have to remember that I’m in the 70-99 age group.

Also, I am pleased to report that Tony also ran faster on race day.

I’m grateful that I have a good training partner to run with-that being Tony. Often overlooked as far as workouts, training , and exercise go, are  the psychological and social benefits of having an accomplice. With a training or running partner, it elevates competition, camaraderie, friendship and having things in common. And so what happens during training runs are movement, laughing, smiling, deep breathing, bonding, and even gratitude which all contribute to well-being. The secret is easy, it’s about the doing and that’s what happens between your ears.

It Has Nothing To Do With Age Or Gender with guest Jonathan Jordan