The Runner's Journey : The in Between Times

Stop and listening quietly. You know what that is? That is the sound of good recovery going on over here at The Runner's Journey. I am eyeing the new Encinitas Half Marathon as a goal for next year and the Silver Strand Half Marathon this year in the fall. In between that time The Journey is at the gym and on the plate working on keeping the muscles strong and new, plus fueling them with the best nutrients I can afford.

As a man over 50 I am well aware that I can no longer out run Father Time

or the Grim Reaper.

but like it says "Make him work for it" It is my believe that through a good, smart, active lifestyle , proper nutrients and good sleep one can fight back against both these Realities. In my reading I've learned much about free radicals and their role in aging. The short story is these free radicals are swirling through your body trying to destroy your good cells or damage them. When that happens the cells reproduces damaged and on the aging goes., What cleanses the body of free radicals? Antioxidants.Click there and ready about them. So taking anti-oxidants can and will slow down the aging process. Where does one find them? Here is a list of just some of the big sources. 

Top 10 High Antioxidant Foods List

• • 1) Goji berries.
  • 2) Wild blueberries. 
  • 3) Dark Chocolate. 
  • 4) Pecans. 
  • 5) Artichoke. 
  • 6) Elderberries. 
  • 7) Kidney Beans. 
  • 8) Cranberries. 

Those are a few foods. All berries and fruits are full of them. I make a post workout smoothie with blackberries,cherries,strawberries,blueberries,hemp seed protein, yogurt,blackberries and a banana. I might also put chia seeds in there. Those are their own separate subject. 

That is how I use anti-oxidants to fight back against the inevitable. Why fight? For me the answer is I want to be mobile in this world as long as possible and the only way to do that is take care of the machine now. 

This combined with  running and other active lifestyle changes are what I consider a good plan for longevity. It is never too late to start to stop the free radical damage. Live at your most optimal in the present moment where ever you are on your personal timeline because the future you will be so thankful that you did. 

Happy Running!

Running Meme of the Day

Isn't that the Truth!

Happy Running!

The Runner's Journey : Post Race Blues

Post Race Blues

There is that period of time after a race that leaves one feeling a bit down and lost. When you combine that with being over fifty it is like you are in the middle of another mini life crisis. It can be a challenge to bring yourself back to normal life again. You have trained for so many weeks leading up to the race . So  much time and effort has been put into it. You have probably received some praise and attention during that time with people asking you how the training is going etc. Sometimes it can be negative attention too. A spouse telling you that too much of your time is spent passing through miles than taking care of your responsibilities at home. Then Race day comes and all the trials and tribulations that you underwent during training disappear. You are in the moment. You are on the start line . There are other racers all around you with that same look that you feel in their eyes. This is a runner's high infrequently talked about. This is Race day!

The peak of that high is the finish line. You are on top of the world and friends with everybody and the world that isn't making you move feels amazing. You have a true sense of the munchies too and can't wait to eat. It is then that you could slip into the Post Race Blues .

That's the end now what? 

• sign up for another race if you haven't already at the expo?
• swear off running forever?
• curse yourself for ever getting involved with running?
• sign up for a marathon?
• move on to another item on the bucket list?

Yes to them all.

You are free . You just ran a fucking Half Marathon. You can do whatever you please now because you are part of the elite people who have ran one. I signed up for more races and did that for a couple years straight. It was an amazing fun journey and unless you are in a runner's club a solitary journey at that.

What is next on The Runner's Journey?

I have taken two weeks off pretty much having gone to the gym only a couple times since the race. My plans are no races till fall. I am not a fan of training in the summer and once the temps start hitting the 90s it is inside stuff for me. So I am going to concentrate on strength training with weights. I am going to combine that with a clean healthy diet and come into the next training cycle ready and strong. Running has and will make The Journey after 50 the best one yet!

Happy Running!

The Morning Meme