Inspire: Running for a cause with gusto

This week's dailymiler of the week is Sam F., whom I had the pleasure of interviewing yesterday via email:

In 2010, Operation Jack founder Sam F. completed 61 full marathons -- yes, that's sixty-one -- raising money and awareness for Train 4 Autism. Rallying his endurance and speedy recovery abilities, this unstoppable athlete also tossed in a couple of ultras for good measure...and he just keeps on going. In an upcoming post, we'll share more about the work of his organization; but, today we wanted to celebrate the heart and spirit that fuels all of that charitable effort.

Read the interview, then jump for video on Sam's story...

Inspire: What do your shoes say about you?

A little Monday morning motivation...

Challenge: PROVE it to yourself

Can't say enough how much I love this bolt of motivation:

Discover: Running's hand in evolution

Last year, PBS presented a fascinating series on The Human Spark.

In this short clip, narrator Alan Alda and Harvard scientist Dan Lieberman explore why our ability to run (specifically, long distances) may have been the catalyst for the evolution of our bigger brains.

Running clinched our predominance as swift and crafty hunters. And it also secured our dominance over large game, which, in turn, supplied our hungry ancestors with a steady stream of brain-boosting protein.

I find all of this fascinating, as it combines two pastimes I love: running, and ruminating over the many ways and whys re: the functioning of the human brain. Lucky for me (and you, if you're into these things, too), Dr. Lieberman has written more on these matters in a just-published book, The Evolution of the Human Head.

Run: No age limit to what you can do

Another wonderful find by the always inspiring Mary over at dailymile. You're going to enjoy this one, guaranteed.

Focus: Sage wisdom on presence + stress

How often do you push away what's going on right now?

At times, doesn't is seem we expend an awful lot of energy flailing away in our brains rather than fully embracing, enjoying and submitting ourselves to what's happening around us?

Sometimes even in the most perfect moments or places, we can work ourselves up into a negative state so easily. We spin over something that's already happened in the past. Or we worry about tomorrow, next week or next year. We even agonize over what others are thinking!

Our incessant internal chattering can be such a stressor.

Now, a good session of mental mulling-over can and is useful (for plotting out future goals and reminiscing over good times we've had, for example). But, deep in thought, if we're not paying attention, we toss today away. We devalue our current experiences.

At the very least, we fritter away today by focusing more on the past or on a coming day that we may never be given by the fates to spend.

It's a dance that's as old as time.

Run: Christopher McDougall talks at TED

Isn't it great that TED has been sharing their timely, inspirational and always compelling conference talks with us these past few years?

Just posted, this June 2010 presentation will interest runners.

Born to Run author "Christopher McDougall explores the mysteries of the human desire to run. How did running help early humans survive -- and what urges from our ancient ancestors spur us on today? At TEDxPennQuarter, McDougall tells the story of the marathoner with a heart of gold, the unlikely ultra-runner, and the hidden tribe in Mexico that runs to live."

Work: Ways to decrease job stress

Last semester, I took a graduate-level class on the Behavioral and Social Aspects of Public Health. For our final, we were to choose a topic of interest and turn in a lit review on related health care interventions.

I began researching occupational stress.

What I found was amazing: Lifestyle-related conditions and stress levels are the greatest enemies to health in Western nations (vs. infectious diseases in underdeveloped regions of the world).

A few items to gnaw on:

• Americans say money, work and the economy are their top stressors


• U.S. workers spend half of their waking hours on the job


• 35% of Americans report experiencing job stress harming physical and emotional health


• Work-related stress, depression and anxiety caused the loss of 13.5 million U.S. working days between 2001 and 2002 [trending upward]

Sources: American Psychological Association [pdf] and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [pdf]

Relax: Simple stress solutions

A beautifully-filmed and presented set of stress management videos created by Joy of Ritual author Barbara Biziou.



Parts 2 and 3 in extended. Breathe in and enjoy...

Nature: It does a body, mind + spirit good

Living in the upper Midwest, I always get a hankering to jet off somewhere warm right about now. But, what if you can't get away?

Studies show (the latest details on that in extended) that taking time to be in natural settings every day, getting outside for some fresh air and exercise, goes a long way in soothing and restoring us. Anything we pass that's green and growing shares its energy with us.

And, ironically, these explorations relax us, too.

So, I do the best I can to get outside -- even in the dead of winter. I bundle up and go for long walks or shovel the driveway; and, as long as it's 15F or higher, I'm happy to run outdoors -- ice and snow permitting.

But, it's not quite like relaxing on a sunny beach, is it?

Relax: 5-minute belly breathing break

Here's a quick way to take a breather from a busy day:



Source: Yoga Tune Up®

Smile: Just do it

One of my fav animations. Should get just about anyone into the spirit of running -- or at least grinning :-)



Source: Nike - Onwards by Jim Jarvis