Have You Ever Heard Of The....

     Other than the fact that I just received a package in the mail filled with easter candy, the exam season has been rough, later nights, early mornings, short lunch breaks. And all for what? Just so we can spend 14 hours studying. Because we all know that doesn't happen, the truth, we spend maximum 8 hours actually studying. I'm saying this because I needed a opening paragraph and because we, people, myself procrastinate a lot. It is a miracle that anyone ever gets anything done, I mean with facebook and all those quizzes to see what Johnny Depp character you are and what not. Jack Sparrow in case you were wondering. But the one procrastination website/thing to do/whatever is watching TED talks, and I watched one the other day with SD that kinda changed the way I look at tasks. (click here to check it out) It's 20min long. I know after watching a TED talk people always want to change their lives but I think just because I watched this one with someone and the idea is so simple it makes the life change worth while. 

     It's as simple as, if you have a task that you don't want to do, lets say 15 push-ups. If you wait 5 seconds without doing it, those push-ups won't get done. Example: "Do 10 push-ups"

1...2...3...4...5...

   Did you do them? I'm guessing no, who ever wants to do 10 push-ups. But to a runner like SD and myself it becomes more of a personal challenge to complete the little things that do not normally get done. Just last week after watching this TED talk I completed 350 push-ups in 6 days. Another being on friday I called SD. RJ:"Yo, pool run?" SD:"aww dude I dunno" RJ:"1...2...3--" SD:"I'm coming".

    Have it be peer pressure or just your brain realizing what it takes to actually be great. "We do what it takes, because that is what it means to be a Champion, and that's what Champions do" -Mo Farah.

   F*** the London Marathon was funny, I can't believe people thought Mo was going to win.

Gimme fever

rj

 

  

Ain't Gunna Lie To You.

     I will admit that the mental torment of this injury has been much more severe than the injury itself, the constant "is it ready?" that echoes before the run and the never ending "does it hurt?" during the run has indeed left me scarred and scared. The next couple months, and the slow build back into running should help calm some of my doubts about my current situation. Currently the enjoyment of running is coming back to me, every step is no longer "should I turn around now" but rather "I do enjoy this cool breeze". Just being out on the trails in the wilderness again has given me the confidence that soon enough I will be able to once again venture off deep in the woods.

     I find that my confidence in running doesn't come from a workout or a race, but simply how I feel as I float through a forest. Being an advocate of the barefoot/minimal running scene, the feeling of the of the ground beneath my feet is beyond bliss. Where that came from I don't know... have not even made it to a trail yet and I am already getting a lil mushy. Just ran barefoot on the turf yesterday and it was great, that's all.

     I will admit one thing, my time away from running has certainly made me realize how much it truly means to me and why I have been fighting to get back in the game. I have a new respect for those who have been out for long periods of time, for those who have been told they cannot run for up to a year, and those who cant run again. 

     On a brighter note, finally got a pair of Hoka One One shoes. Pretty fired up about it.

Maximum is the new black.
peace out b****es

rj 

The Road Ahead.

The last 2 months have been pretty awful. Not only not being able to run, but not being able to compete, and help finally bring home the conference team title. The hardest part was looking past all of it and trying to move forward. When it seemed everything I did didn't allow me to take a step forward, I was stagnant. There we days where I tried to look 3 years down the road and thought if I am not running then, what's the point to run now. But I seen myself running then. So I simply forced myself back on the horse. I didn't accept defeat. After a couple visits to the Doc, a physio, and a massage, all in one week. I figured I could start the comeback.

Currently only 2 weeks in. But the fear of a relapse has faded dramatically in the last 4 days. I have only been running 25min a day though... So my next issue, before I can take any big steps, I will have to do some aerobic conditioning, and since 25min a day isn't doing enough, the plan is to hit the old pool for some water running. Once I feel like running 40-60min is not going to be a problem, the XC training begins. Like my better half (durr) we have a fascination for both large Lydiard style build ups and the adventures of trail running, so even though maybe miles apart, maybe we will meet up again on the trails of the Limberlost.

Looking at the bigger picture, I have about 7 months till I have to be fast again. So in the time I have by myself in the beautiful summer months, the plan this year is to work on something which I have always neglected. Speed. I am a strong believer in the LetsRun belief that strength = speed, but recently I had the bold idea that strength + speed = more speed. Pretty revolutionary stuff right there. 

Along the way to the upcoming xc season there will be a couple stops including the Ottawa race weekend 5km where I hope to best my 4th place 16:20ish recording at last years event. Then continuing to the Pembroke Waterfront Half Marathon where I hope to defend my title and become a 4 time champion. As a side not, pooped on the side of the road at the last two events. Recap found: here.

onward and upward

rj

life after death.

Too all my fans.
I'm sorry. I have failed you all. There was such promise at the end of October and now... not so much. I am a completely different person, from being invincible, now crying when I see puppies. My walls have been shattered. My knee broken... I don't know what to do.

My first serious running injury is what I am talking about. ITB pain, syndrome, whatever... I just wanna get into some sort of shape so maybe I can come back a run a decent BEER MILE. I can't decide wether or not its humorous or embarrassing or serious that when physio-people ask "When is your next serious competition?"

I say "Beer Mile at the end of March."

Guess all I have to do now is talk about some of the things I have accomplished since my running stopped.

1. got fat.

yeah thats about it... big man upstairs and all other gods, please help me!

slowly...... dying.. inside and.. out.

is there really life after death... only time will tell.

until then,

rj

If Only I Could Walk, I Would Learn To Run.

So, as the title suggests, I am incapable of walking. This however is kind of a lie, as I can walk, but it is extremely painful. People who know me think I am somewhat a freak of nature as I rarely encounter painful experiences which are running related. I wanna then clear some stuff up, firstly due to the nature that this issue effects walking it is considered a walking injury. In the steps of growing up, one starts by crying, then lying on its stomach,then crawling, then walking, then finally running. Now I have cried, and spent considerable time lying down in a state of depression, and I think crawling around campus may be somewhat frowned upon, so now the next step is to walk, but thats where the trouble begins. My knee hurts.

As time goes on and I am continuously is this state of depression where it feels like my world is crashing down upon me, I sometimes snap out and see clearly. And this is what I have noticed.

Day 1: holy f*** this hurts, i'll take a day it'll come around.
Day 2: holy f*** it hurts still, okay, I can still save myself, gym hard!
Day 3: same as day 2
Day 4: same as day 3.
Day 5: enter physio, i am told to stop trying to stay in shape and let it heal.
Day 6: cool
Day 7: Im going stir crazy here!
Day 8: f*** it legs go run!
end of day 8: can't walk.

now a while back durr mentioned something on the top of injuries...
How to properly use an Elliptical.
And something else about the phases of an injury. Now to reiterate them to you is me, I am sorry if I screw up the order or am not as funny as the funny man himself but.

step 1: ahh just take a day.
step 2: this must be serious, better hammer the gym to stay fit.
step 3: denial, there is no point my life is over.
step 4: acceptance, I may actually be hurt.
step 5: I feel okay, lets go! and fails.
step 6: actual acceptance.

Okay lets slowly start putting the work back in focus on the future not the now.
Its a long way till NFL XC 2014.

rj