Why I love Altra Shoes.

My love affair with the Altra shoes began a little over a year ago.  When I first came across this shoe, I was intrigued to say the least.  It looked like a shoe should look like.  It was natural, and sleek, and looked ready for competition.  The heel had been shaved off, and the toe box widened.  It looked like minimal shoe, but not.  It had been a while since I saw a shoe that begged to be ran in.  This shoe was obviously a runner’s shoe.  Or was it?  After slipping the shoe on and experiencing the wide toe box (I can finally wiggle my toes!) and the zero toe drop feel, I decided these shoes were built for much more than just running!

                I laced these shoes up, just the way I liked it-a runners knot at the top, and threw on my headphones.  At the time, I was living in Charleston, South Carolina, and it was a hot and humid night, so I decided to go sock-less.  As I began the six mile run across the bridge, I couldn't help, but to notice the responsiveness.  For having zero toe drop, there was a surprising amount of cushion and responsiveness.  I found it interesting how the shoe felt like it was promoting a mid-foot strike.  I found myself running more efficiently from the first mile, though the very last.  It’s an amazing feeling to feel so free while running!  I wanted to wear these shoes all the time afterwards.  In fact, that’s exactly what I did.  I wore them during 12 hour shifts at the hospital, I wore them while working at the local running store, and I wore them for runs of every distance.  The Provision quickly became my marathon training shoe, and the shoe I wore for two marathons that year.

                I had spent hundreds of miles running in the Provisions, but was even more impressed by the 3SUM.  They were super lightweight, flashy, and fast!  I could even use the insert from the Provision in them.  Track workouts became breeze, and for the first time ever, I could feel comfortable taking them into the gym for leg work outs.  Squats felt more natural, box jumps felt safer, and they had superior performance when flipping tires.  I quickly realized these were the most versatile shoes I ever owned.  Not only were they designed for triathlons, but could withstand a beating in the gym, and out on the track!

                That wasn't the end of these amazing shoes though. In May, I moved to Washington State for the fire academy.  Every morning we were required to attend physical fitness for an hour.  Of course the 3SUM was my shoe of choice!  They had no problem in the cross fit style PT, and the five mile, hilly runs.  Traditional lace-up shoes tend to get in the way when putting on all of the firefighting gear.  I found that the lacing, and ease of putting them on and taking them off took seconds off of my time when putting on my gear.  In the fire service seconds is the difference between life and death. 

                Altras are not only the most versatile shoe I have worn, but they are designed the way a shoe should have been.  Our toes are not supposed to be crunched into a narrow toe box, and our bodies are not designed to run with our heels elevated up to twelve millimeters above the ground.  The shoe takes us back to our primitive form of running, the way we were designed to run, and provides us with ultimate protection while on the track or the trails.  They are made for speed and efficiency, and comfort while keeping the human anatomy in mind, something all other shoes have failed to do  These shoes really are limitless.  

#zerolimits #rethinkrunning

goo.gl/MlYnDv

The Great Escape II

April 7-8, 2014

            The next important, and necessary stop I had to make along the trip was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  It was out of the way by over three hundred miles, but worth the extra day to see my daughter again.  I try to see her as much as possible.  I really cannot believe how much she has grown in four years.  I remember the first time I met Mia in the SeaTac airport.  I had just finished Coast Guard Health Service School in Petaluma, California, but she was already two months old.  I leaned in to give her a gentle kiss on those newborn lips, and as soon as I made contact, she spit up a helping of milk directly into my mouth.  I knew from then on, it was love.  That winter, Mia, her mother, and I made a cross country road trip from Seattle to Baltimore.  It was cold, and snowy, and we had made every effort to get across the states as quick as possible.  Looking back, it was a great trip!  Who would't want to spend a week in a car with a newborn!?

            My daughter is the most important person in my life.  She is beautiful.  Everything about her is perfect.  I can spend hours watching her be a goofy four year old girl.  I take great pride in pretending to eat invisible pizza with her.  I take in every moment I get with her, and treat it as it could be my last.  Every time I see her again, whether it’s been a few weeks or a few months later, she seems to have grown by years. 

            I understand the possible implications of me not being around all the time.  I understand that there may be questions asked in the future.  There already are questions asked by other people.  “Why don’t you fight for custody?” has been the biggest question.  My answer is, “Why should I?”  She has a wonderful mom and grandmother who love her very much, and give her many of the things that only a mother and grandmother could.  She lives in a very pleasant home with a very positive environment and goes to a great school.  Why should I selfishly take her away from that, and throw her into a war zone that so many children somehow find themselves in the middle of?  Would I do any better?  All I can really do is provide for her the best I can, and let her know that I will always be there for her, and love her unconditionally.

            For now though, I just like to enjoy the moments I have with her.  Today, she stood on my feet and asked me to moonwalk with her.  Then she kissed my forearms for no reason and told me she loved her daddy.  My heart melted.  Shortly afterwards, she notified me that she would soon have tattoos like her daddy, but first she would like some milk.  I can’t say no to this girl.  She’s going to be trouble.   

            My daughter is one thing that will always keep me moving forward.  She is my motivation to break through any obstacle.  I want to be able to prove to her that she can do anything she if she works hard enough.   I want her to grow up knowing that there are no limits to what she can do, and that she should always strive to find her true potential.  I can only prove this to her by believing it, and living it.

            I don’t know when I will see her again.  It was tough hugging her goodbye today.  She told me she didn't want her daddy to go.  She said, “Just stay here daddy.” Words that would make any father well up with tears.  I hope every goodbye isn't as difficult as this one.  Until next time little bub.  Betty White and I will see you soon!

09 April 14

    Heading through Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri today.  The trailer is pulling surprisingly well.  I would guess it is because everything is so flat!  I had the wonderful opportunity to stay at an old Coast Guard friends house last night.  I never would have thought that I would have friends out here in Indiana.
   I stopped at the world's largest wind chime!  Unfortunately it wasn't very windy out!  While I was exploring, I met this old farmer.  I guess he was just looking for someone to talk to, because he talked my ear off for about a half hour, about the size of his crop.  Strawberries the size of peaches, and peaches bigger than melons.  He also looked over at the world's largest wind chime, and under his breath, whispered, "I'm working on making the world's largest cock and balls, but I don't know how that will work out in this town!"  Apparently, in this little, Illinois town, size matters.  After some more discussion, I asked him, "So why do you think you are here?  What is your purpose?"  After a few seconds of consideration, and a half toothless smirk, he replied "Well, I'm a farmer.  I have extra land, and I like to grow food.  I like to give that food to people who need it." That's good enough for me.  On to St. Louis.  The gateway to the west.

Betty aint scared of nothin

The worlds largest wind chime...Coming soon, the worlds largest cock and balls!

Finally made it to the west!

Thanks for letting me crash at your house Riley!

10 April 2014

    I didn't make it very far!  Last night I camped about an hour South of St. Louis.  It got cold, really cold!  The Mexican blankets didn't quite cut it, so i'll have to invest in a sleeping bag.  St. Louis is pretty phenomenal.  The Arch is a magnificent piece of architecture, that everyone should see once in their life.   That is what is so amazing about our country.  It is full of these outstanding natural and man made wonders.
    I got back the road early this morning, and about an hour into the drive, my car became very sluggish.  It hardly made it over the hills, and i began to get worried.  I knew something was bound to happen, I just didn't think it would be 1500 miles into the trip.  I pulled into a small town part store to have it scanned, and just as I had though, my turbo charger stopped working.  Of course no one in a 100 mile radius knew how to work on it.  I was feeling pretty hopeless, and discouraged at this point.  I did not know what to do.  If I went further, I would risk serious breakdown, but I had no choice.  My only option was to drop the trailer off somewhere.
   Just as I was making a plan, the UHAUL representative in Seattle called to check up on me.  I told her my dilemma, and she very quickly found a spot for me to drop the trailer off, just a few miles up the road.  We also agreed to switch to a smaller trailer.  With the trailer detached, I was able to limp my poor, broken car to Springfield, where an Audi dealership could look at it.
   I am very fortunate to have a friend in California, who learned what was happening, and made some quick phone calls.  He helped figure out what parts I would need, and let them know I would be showing up.  Hopefully I can get back on the road within the next couple days.  For now, I will have to stick around Missouri and explore.  Hopefully I can get a couple runs in, and make the best of the situation.
   For a few minutes I was feeling discouraged.  What am I thinking!?  How could I possibly make a 5,000 mile trip like this?  Now my car is broken, and I left all my belongings with a complete stranger.  For the first time I became afraid of the situation I put myself in.  I am young, and foolish.  I should have just stayed in South Carolina, or figured out a more sensible way to come home.  Then, all of a sudden, a liberating sense of ease washed over me.  I have never felt so free in my life, than right now.  At this moment, I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, how I will get home, or what I will do.  All I have with me are my wits, my past experiences, and the connections I have made with people through out my life.  I really have nothing to worry about.  Everything will be ok.  I once read that it is important to not only be strong, but feel strong.  To measure yourself at least once.  I think this is where I am at right now.
    I have amazing friends and family who are all behind me.  These positive connections that we make in our lives are what make life so extraordinary.  It could very well be why we are here. I was talking to a good friend in Baltimore the other day, and he had mentioned that he thinks we're here to influence and connect with each other, whether its on some small level, or on a massive scale.  I would have to agree with him.  Every little connection we make, and every piece of positive energy we give off, could possibly come back to us, somehow.
   While walking around the camp ground this evening, I ran into a group of travelling active duty and retired veterans.  It's not every day we get to thank a Korean or Vietnam veteran for their service, and have a conversation with them.  it was an honor to be at the same table as them, taking about travelling, and great cities to go to.  After shaking their hands, and thanking them one more time, Betty White and I headed back to the tent.  It's not as cold tonight.  I think I will be just fine!

Car problems #but first let me take a selphy

Apparently its still cold in April

Dropped the Uhaul off somewhere along rt66...worse idea ever?

An honor to run into this group of gentlemen. Thanks for your service!

The Great Escape

6April2014

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.

Henry David Thoreau

            My father has been a mechanic of close to 40 years.  He is a master of his craft, and has owned the same red tool box for as long as I can remember.  He always told me, “This toolbox has wheels on it for a reason.  If I don’t like where I am at, I can move my toolbox down the road.”  I think I will have to take a page from his book.  It has been a very difficult realization to come to, but I think it’s the right thing to do.  I have recently learned that there is nothing I can control, but my own attitude toward a situation.  I can't make a woman love me if she doesn't want to, and  I can't expect everything to go just as planned.  All I can do is keep moving forward.  There is nothing keeping me in South Carolina anymore, and I have a deep urge to find something more.  Over the past month, I sold my furniture and most of my non-essential belongings.  On Friday, I rented a U-Haul trailer, loaded it up with all my things, and hit the road.  I didn’t have much of a plan, only to explore the country for a couple weeks, and end in Washington State.  I want to meet interesting people, and explore new places.  Along the trip, my goal is to ask a couple very important questions:

Why are we here?

What keeps you moving forward?

What is your greatest accomplishment?

What is your ultimate goal?

What do you value most about yourself?

            It is not so much the answers that are important, but the questions themselves that are important.  So many people go through their lives without contemplating these questions or evaluating their goals and accomplishments.  There are seven billion people on this planet, and we all have one goal:  Survive.  Whether it’s an average American Joe, a homeless refuge, or a terminally ill person, we all have that motivation to keep moving forward at all costs.   What compels us to survive, and why?  What keeps us moving forward at all costs, even though we know the inevitable end result?  What do we want to be remembered for?  What kind of legacy would we like to create for ourselves?  

                These questions have been ones that I have continuously asked myself since I was a very young man.  I remember asking my mother the meaning of life at a very young age.  After careful thought, she opened up her bible and replied the only way she knew how to, “The meaning of life is to serve and fear god.”  Is that why we are here?  Were we really put here to serve a super natural being that may, or may not really exist?    Dalai Lama wrote, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.”  An American Poet, W.H. Auden, once wrote, “We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for, I don’t know.” The truth is, I don’t yet have any answers for these questions that I am asking.  Maybe I will find them along the way.

            I am incredibly nervous.  I have never done anything like this before, and have absolutely no real plan.  I am not even sure if I will make it to the West Coast.  I’m pulling everything I own in a U-Haul trailer behind my little, four cylinder Audi, with my dog, Betty White riding shotgun.  So many things can go wrong during this trip, but all I can do is hope for the best, and prepare for the worst.  I really cannot control anything, and have no idea what is going to happen in the following days.  Having no plan is something completely new to me, and even though, I am nervous, I am excited for the experiences, and I am looking forward to hearing people’s stories.

“Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."  -Into The Wild

Baltimore

April 4-6, 2014

South of the border.. Not quite Mexico

But first, let me take a selphy

            After a thirteen hour drive with my very nervous dog, and a very heavy trailer, I made it to one of my favorite cities, Baltimore.  Charm City is where I lived for the past four years, built some of the closest friendships, and ran my first marathon.  When the Coast Guard stationed me in Baltimore back in 2009, I had no idea what to think.  Friends had told me that it was a dangerous city, so I had moved there with an irrational fear.  To my surprise, it turned out to be one of the most charming and beautiful cities I have ever been to.

There was no doubt that I had to stop in Baltimore while on this trip.  Fortunately, one of my best friends had the room for me and Betty White to stay for the weekend.  The morning after getting into town we laced up our running shoes, and headed out for a half marathon.  One thing I love about this city, is that it is one of the most active cities in the country.  With little training and preparation, we managed to pull off top ten finishes in the 13.1 mile race.  It felt great to kick the dust off the legs, and run with a good friend who had helped me qualify for the Boston Marathon last year.  I am always excited to return to Charm City, and will likely return again.  Every time I come back, I fall in love with it again.  

One of my best friends and I on another great race!

Here's to good friends, and good times.

On to the next destination... Pittsburgh, were i will give my beautiful daughter a suprise visit!

Altra Shoes are some of the most versitile shoes I have used!

Measure yourself

    It is very few times in our life that we measure the limits of our spirit, our physical endurance, and our mental will.   I believe that every person, at least once in their life should test these boundaries, and see what they are made of.  It is important for us to explore how far we are willing to push ourselves mentally, spiritually, and physically.  Running provides us with the opportunity to measure our character, and build on it.  

    In every marathon, it is easy to contemplate the idea of giving up.  It is natural for everyone to take the path of less resistance, and to avoid pain.  When our bodies tell us to give up, it is easy to listen to it.  We can come up with an excuse later.  The truth is, we should never give up.  We can slow down, but we must keep moving forward.  When the physical pain of moving forward is agonizing, that is when we test our spirit.  Choose to keep moving forward at all costs. When you to do this, you may find that you can tolerate more pain than you previously thought you could, and your spirit becomes stronger.  If you embrace this mindset it will not only reflect in your running, but will resonate in the obstacle that you face in life.

    Every runner you meet will tell you that running is more mental than physical.  It is absolutely true.  Running, especially in a race gives you a chance to explore your mental toughness.  You have trained for weeks and months for one moment, to reach one goal.  Our bodies will begin to give up far before our minds do.  When this happens, it becomes a competition between body and mind, and it is up to us to decide who wins.  How hard are you willing to push yourself despite everything telling you that you cannot? How badly do you want to finish?  How badly do you want to win?  How will you react if you do not meet your goal?  Will you keep trying?  Will you give up?    Finding these answers are what tests and builds character.  These are how you find out how tough you are mentally.  Once you find these limits, you can begin push them further and build your mental toughness.  So far, I have found that there are no limits to how hard you can mentally push yourself.

    Before venturing of into the Alaskan wilderness, Alexander Supertramp wrote, “I know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind death stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.”  Millions of years ago, human beings tested their physical endurance daily.  We had to hunt, or be hunted.  We had to feel strong every day.  In the 21^st century an individual can live a whole life without testing their physical capacity, without earning that feeling of strength.  Running gives us that opportunity to feel strong, and it is something we can do every day.  It can take us back to the most ancient conditions, where all we have is your body and your mind.  We can find our strength, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually.

Keep Moving Forward

         What do you do when you enter a race that has no defined finish line or time limit, but is full of obstacles?  What happens when you hit a point where the pain becomes unbearable?  Do you keep moving forward in hopes that the pain will go away, or that you will get to the finish line? Do you just keep running until you collapse?  Do you accept failure, and give up?  It seems like the logical decision in this situation is to give up.  Just stop.  The pain will go away quicker that way. Better yet, do not even start...

            I say run as far and as hard as you can until the pain goes away, or you collapse.   If you do collapse, keep moving forward until you cannot move anymore.  Know that you did not fail, for there was no finish line, and there was no time limit.  Take this a lesson learned.  You found out what you were made of, your true potential.  You found out how far you can push yourself.  You earned character, and you know what the meaning of perseverance is.  These are lessons that the person who gave up will never know.  Eventually the pain will subside, and you will be able to get back on your feet.  When you do, you will be stronger and wiser.

Keep Moving Forward and you will never fail.

How to become a sucessful runner

            We spend so much time in our daily routine providing for others.  Our client’s, boss', families’ and friend’s well being often take precedence over our own.  It is not necessarily a bad thing to provide for others in the ways we do, but we often forget to take time for ourselves.  At the end of the day, we end up settling for a well-deserved sweet dessert, a night in, watching American Idol, or some retail therapy.  We neglect to take care of what is important though, our minds, bodies, and souls.  If these go neglected for too long, we lose the energy to adequately provide for others day in and day out.  Running gives us the opportunity to connect and revitalize what is lost in the daily grind.

            Though running has many benefits to physical and mental health, I see far too many people who throw up barriers as soon as the idea is presented. “I was just not born to run.”  “I have bad knees.”  “I get bored.”  All of those are typical responses to the thought of running.   Running successfully isn’t measured by how far or how fast you run, but by the feeling it gives, and the positive energy it creates. With a few minor adjustments, anyone can become a successful runner.

           

Specialty running stores:

            The first step to becoming a successful runner is to stop into a specialty running store.  Typically, the employees in those stores are experts in their field.  They participate in local events, talk about running for eight hours a day, and are runners themselves.  This is the best place to go to be properly measured for shoes, and have your gait analyzed.  Finding the right shoes for your gait can be the difference between a great year of running, or a year of running injures.  Furthermore, this can be your one stop-shop for all your running gear and events.  A Foot Locker is not a specialty running store.  The best way to find a good running store is to look it up online, or ask some running friends. 

Goals:

            I see so many people start their running resolutions without an obtainable goal in mind.  Typically these people want to lose weight or live healthier lives, so they decide to run.  Quickly, they lose the enthusiasm after a few short weeks due to boredom.  The best way to solve this problem is to pick an event and set a goal.  Setting a goal for your running gives you motivation to a finish line, and the chance to celebrate once you have reached it.  Today, running events are easier than ever to find, and are created for all experience types.  If you are a beginner, Pick a 5k that is a couple months away, and then find a beginner’s training plan.  This will give you a goal to reach, and gratification once you have reached it.  You will also notice that you have become a healthier and better person at the end of the training. Don’t stop there though.  Now that you have a 5k down, try to run the next one faster.  Train for a 10k.  Work your way up to a half or full marathon!

Friends:

            Some people deeply enjoy running in solitude.  They can be alone with their thoughts, recharge, and hash out all of life’s problems with a lonely run.  In fact, they don’t feel alone at all when they are out there by themselves.  But this is not for everyone, and not to be done on every run.  Some of the best running experiences are shared with friends or groups.  Finding like-minded people, who will support your goals, give you advice, and help you along the way, is a key element to successful running.  Some of my best friends are people I have met along my running journey.  If you don’t have friends readily available, find a running group.  There are multiple clubs and groups in every city that are dedicated to reaching goals and supporting each other along the way.

Runny happy:

            It took my seven marathons to learn to smile.  My seventh was not my fastest my any means, but it was the most enjoyable so far.  Why? I learned to smile along the way.  I took in all the energy from the people around me, thanked the volunteers, gave high fives to the kids, and I smiled.  Filling yourself with happiness, and enjoying the moment while you’re out there on a run is reason enough to be out there running.  Run during sunset, or sunrise.  Run along the beach, or in the woods.  Take in all the sights and sounds of a city.  Whatever you do, enjoy that moment, and smile.  That positive energy will radiate, it will inspire others, and for that run you’ll be free.