Running Tip No.1 Lean forward when running downhill

It came to me as I was on mile 8 of an 11 miler in the middle of a warm day, that running has become much easier. This has become so only because of the years of training that includes more failure than success. But, the success has been very sweet.
I'll break these tips down an item a time, as I have found them important in my routine to running.

Tip No.1 Lean forward when running downhill

I see many runners out there with the natural tendency to lean backwards when going down hill: this gives them a sense of security and maintain a false sense of balance. Running with this kind of form creates more energy to maintain your core and keeping upper body stable. You will find when the distances are long (I'm a long distance runner)that after mile 13, 14, 15...you will be digging deep into that energy storage; where every gram of calorie is used, every step made efficient, every negative thought removed. You have created a well trained form of running efficiently in your first 13, you will not want to waste your energy running downhill incorrectly. You need the fuel to finish your goal strong, and you use it where you need it most: your legs.
As soon as you see the incline tilting forward, do the same with your upper body. Lean forward only until your body is perpendicular to the incline. This will immediately create the same running form as you had when you were running on a level road. when it comes to those long distances, stay in gear.
See you on the road!

Choices: Conscious food

I came into this world kicking and screaming hungry for food. My choices were limited as I was dependent on my parent’s preference. Lately it has come into question as to whether I am actually aware of the choices I am making. For example there are questions of morality to eating dolphins, whales, and other animals: how humanely are they prepared as food for human consumption. The word humanely is what is ironic, which draws parallels with Gabriel Rubin’s film review of The Cove. How we eat, what we do in life, how we make decisions, is based from our (humans) point of view. Yet, what is the point of view from the dolphin? The Whale? What is the point of view of other animals?
Trying to differentiate between cultures of what is right and wrong is an endless argument; however the common denominator of these cultures is that, as humans, we have proclaimed ourselves to being atop the food chain. Does this decree give us the right to make the decision on who gets to eat what? Who gets to think what? Who gets to live where? What are the proclamations of other animals (remember we are a part of this rather large group in this vast home of species we call earth)? Do they have a say on how they live?
I am a proud American and thankful of our fore fathers who have allowed me this freedom; which I will not take for granted. On the other hand, as we continue to inject westernization to make other cultures become more like “us” let’s not take this for granted, but rather show the great things of becoming a democratic nation, to have freedom of speech, freedom of choice, and more importantly how we derive at our choices.
This food chain has survived this earth for millions of years. It is not the chain I am concerned about (remember humans have not always been at the top) but rather it is the choice we should be thinking about. The human body continues to function by consuming food, and not food supplements. The later is exactly that, supplementing food. A lion kills a zebra so she can feed her cubs who haven’t eaten in weeks. We go to the super market and choose to eat a glazed donut, a yellow bell pepper, wheat pasta, or a prime cut steak. Remember the difference between our choices and our needs.

I would like to believe we have evolved beyond the mountain food chain, and developed into a more intellectual pyramid. I am no longer dependent on my parents to the choices of what I eat. While I am not always eating the healthiest food, it is documentaries like The Cove, and the efforts of Sea Shepherd that fill my mind, thoughts, and my stomach of becoming more conscious of the choices I decide to eat. I have come into this world hungry; I hope to leave consciously full.