New Year New Resolutions

What are your plans for change this year? Are you going to run more, run faster or run in more events. How about keeping it simple. "Just run." Everything else will follow.

Running is truly a lifestyle!   Until next time, stay safe.

All aboard!

Matthew training for race next month.

 

Matthew training for next level.




When you finish training, train some more.

Get on board with that!  Until next time, stay safe.

Lighten Up !

We all know that as we age, we loss muscle mass. However, all is not lost. Lifting weights at least three times a week will take care of that problem. Remember that after you're lean and toned, "Lighten Up" By that I mean, use lighter weights. No need to risk injury lifting heavy. Lighter weights and more reps is all that's needed. This routine we feed your muscles. Get the blood circulating.

We call this, easy lifting.    Until next time, stay safe.

Embrace Your Soft Side

Did you know that most tough guys have a soft side. Check out Matthew, runner and martial arts extraordinaire. He practice the cello. Balance my friend, balance. That's what life's about.



It's ok, show your soft side. Until next time, stay safe.

Think

"Everyday is a good day when you run"
   -Kevin Nelson

Oops!

 One of the biggest races of the year has just passed me by. How did that happen? Well check this out. "No race day registration" Being as smart as I am, I decided that I would registered on race day now. With job demands and a son with never ending projects, I thought that decision was "right on." If something came up at the last minute, as of lately, I would save a few bucks. Well, I guess I'm not as smart as I thought. At some races, there is no same day registration. Wow! I didn't know that. I thought that they all had them.


Live and learn after fifty!  Until next, stay safe.

Think





Do what you do. Find a way!  Until next time, stay safe




 

 

When The Going Gets Tough

Just ran a half marathon today in Clermont, Fl.  I've been there before for a 26 miler. I know what running there is all about. Was I prepared for this test of endurance, apparently not, I died at least three times. This particular run is in a state park. At least ten miles of it was on rain soaked trails. You had to be mindful of potholes. And to top it off, it started to rain six miles out. I knew all week long that I wasn't quiet ready. I didn't train properly. My plan was to run the 10k. However, a funny thing happened at the registration table. When asked which run I'm signing up for, I blurted out "The half". Why did I do that.  I'll tell you why, a testosterone surge. Three miles in and I soon realized that I had made a big mistake. I just wasn't feeling it. Nevertheless, I forged on. Just kept telling myself, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going!" Third place in my age group. My guess is that some other runners died four times. Remember to tailor your training to compliment your next race.


Your first choice is usually the best choice!    Until next time, stay safe.

Think

" If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run."

-John Bingham

Running is everything!       Until next time, stay safe.

Research Blues

.
Are you the one who researches everything. You will not buy a product unless it has five stars in a review column. If you're that person, enough already! Just because it doesn't work for them, doesn't mean that it's not what you need. Do your research in the store, and at road races. Ask questions about the product. Don't rely solely on what you read. I almost fell victim to the Research Blues. I over researched because of the product's price. It seemed a bit high. Nevertheless, I just ran in a great pair of running shoes.

The Pinto and Corvair needed it. All else, not so much. Until next time, stay safe.

How About This



How about this! Run most days

Long Run 9/26/13

and eat as you please. By that I mean, eating a little of everything your heart desires. No need to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. How about lifting weights and wearing that form fitting shirt you've been eyeing. By that I mean, clothes that look good on you.  I do both. You saw these ABS a year ago. Check previous blog.


A picture is worth a thousand words! Until next time, stay safe.

Think

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
    --Dean Karnazes



Just that Simple! Until next time, stay safe.

Now you see me, Now you don't.

Want to run fast? Race someone faster. You've trained hard. The time was put in. Now test your speed. Move up to the 7 minute pace marker. You'll be surprised.







Always challenge Yourself. Until next time, stay safe.

Rest and Relaxation

 

Concert 9/3/13 with my lady Dianna.

What a way to get away from the daily grind
A little rest and relaxation is just what the doctor ordered.
A refreshed mind makes for optimum results when training.


Go rest and relax. Then, come back strong! Until next time, stay safe

Keep It Moving




Track Shack's Celebration of Running 5K  8/17/13

Just finished one of my favorite races. I must admit, it took all I had to get out of bed for this one. I was dead tired. I'm talking a long work week, a couple of late night projects and an active pre-teen to match wits with. One hour before race time, I'm in bed trying to convince myself that I'm to tired and that if I go, I would surly collapse and die. We all have those moments right? That's when we dig down deep and come up with the reason to put  on our running shoes. That reason my friend is universal. " I'm a runner and that's what I do." I was out of bed in a flash, I lined up and gave it my best. It wasn't my best run or my best time, but I kept it moving. But more importantly, I didn't die! See you at the next one! Until next time, stay safe.

Think

Victory belongs to the most persevering.
  - Napoleon Bonaparte

Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.
   -John Wooden



Do what you enjoy doing. Do it often!     Until next time, stay safe.

Train To Win

Somewhere in the world someone is training when you're not.

When you race him, he will win.
- Tom Fleming





Training is everything!  Until next time, stay safe

Insanity

July 3,2013

To step up your game, strap on a weight vest and run as fast as you can for an hour. If it's your first outing in one, try the run-walk method. Remember this is not the thing to do if you have joint or back problems. Be smart. This type of training isn't for most runner. 











Some extra pounds aren't that bad for you! Until next time, stay safe

Lean Is Better

Ok! I heard you. Here's the Windermere 5k photo I posted in an earlier blog.  It's without my attempt at photography. Remember running keeps your muscles lean and strong.

Windermere 5k April 13,2013

Run for your life! Until next time, stay safe.

 

Think

"Never give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about"
 -Winston Churchill  

"Where there is passion, there is no need for motivation"
 - Lorrin Lee


Keep on pushing!  Keep on smiling!     Until next time, stay safe.

Some Have It, Some Don't

Endurance, the ability to withstand hardship. Running long isn't easy. Matter of fact it's hard, very hard.  To be good at it, there must be a commitment to train hard. That commitment almost always brings about endurance. Once you have it, you have it forever.Those of us who commit have it and those who don't, well you know the rest! Just think, The Ability To Withstand  Hardship.

Run long, train hard. Until next time, stay safe.

Sites

Never know what you will see on your runs. Take a look at these beautiful creatures. They have walked my street for years. Funny that I just started to notice. Wow! Running has opened my eyes in so many ways.

 Until next time, stay safe.

To Each His Own

Find the sport that's right for you and go for it . The goal is consistency. And that my friends, leads to longevity and  personal rewards.

 

Days to weeks, weeks to months, months to years and years to a lifetime.

Until next time, stay safe.





                                                                                                              Matthew Barrett

If The Shoe Fits

Windermere 5k April 13,2013

 

The Windermere 5k, ah yea! This is a fun run that takes you off paved streets to narrow dirt roads. The scenery is simple beautiful. However, the dirt roads can be tricky to navigate.
  I'm talking soft and often damp sand. These runs call for a
different type shoe, "trail shoes". Get a pair and you'll be glad you did. If the shoes fit, wear them.

No racing flats please! Until next time, stay safe.

Think

   " Listen to your body. Do not be a blind and deaf tenant"
                       -Dr. George Sheehan

             
                 

Keeping It Tight

    You've seen these Abs before in a previous blog. They get better with age. Remember to exercise and watch what you eat. Having a strong core is the key to having a strong body. Abs after fifty. Abs after sixty. Get my drift.

Go on, get tight. Until next time, stay safe

A Change Of Pace

  


       Want a change of pace and still get your run on. If you do, an Obstacle Course Race is what you should try. These races are filled with obstacles that challenge your physical fitness and your nerves as well. They are fun and additive. Some are fairly easy, other are extremely difficult. Stay away from those as they are not novice friendly. I can attest to that. Pick one and go for it.

In this case, change very is good!       Until next time, stay safe.

Think

   

"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self discipline, and effort."

--Jesse Owens

Making The Seen

     We all want to make as many races as possible. However, some runs are just down right impossible to make do to an injury or in my case, lack of child care. Here is a noval idea. Make the seen by being a volunteer. All road race sponsors are in need of them. Wow! what a great way to support your sport when you can't run. Just call the race organizer and ask if you can help. I'm sure your answer will be a resounding yes. Futhermore, when you do run, remember to thank the volunteers who help make the event possible. I've never accepted a drink, an energy snack or anything else without giving a heart warming,( Thank you!) Remember they are there for us.

Drink, Jelly Beans, Anyone!  Until next time, stay safe.

Think

   Remember the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running.

      - Sarah Condor

Up and Running

                

               Wow! 2012, what a year. 2013, better! Stay focused, stay active and  most of all, stay up and running. Furthermore, you better stay tune the best is yet to come.

Up,up and away! Until next time, stay safe.