Archive | Motivation

Marathoner John Young is 4-foot-4 and Full of Heart

photo credit: John Young Twitter page

photo credit: John Young Twitter page

John Young — the first person with dwarfism to complete a half Ironman — doesn’t let his size keep him from his goals.

By Henry Howard

About nine years ago, John Young was not sleeping well so his wife encouraged him to undergo a sleep study. At the doctor’s office, he stepped on the scale and was shocked to see that he weighed 195 pounds.

That weight is incredibly unhealthy for someone who stands 4-foot-4-inches tall. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Bart Yasso – Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine

flat bart

flat bart

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Bart Yasso started running in 1976. He joined Runner’s World in 1987 (and still loves his job).

He’s friend to millions of runners around the world.

In fact, I tried to friend him on Facebook today and got notified that, “Bart has reached the friend limit. He can’t receive friend requests at the moment.” Facebook caps the number of friends at 5,000.

Bart was with us for episode #19 (five years ago) and we’ve since bumped into him at the Little Rock Marathon and Modesto Marathon.

His book, My Life on the Run, was the first running book I picked up after taking the plunge. Interesting side note to the book . . . Continue Reading →

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The Runner’s Brain – Interview with Harvard Psychologist Dr. Jeff Brown

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Jeff Brown is the lead psychologist for the Boston Marathon and a member of Runner’s World scientific advisory board.

He’s assistant clinical professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and McClain Hospital.

His new book is called The Runner’s Brain – How to Think Smarter and Run Better, due out in October of this year. Continue Reading →

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Marathon Success Story with Gregory Cheek -Maintaining Three Points of Contact

Greg running the Munich Marathon in Germany

Greg running the Munich Marathon in Germany

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Greg Cheek is a combat veteran who served in the US Air Force and as an officer in the United States Army.  He’s a college communications professor, motivation speaker, and author of the book Three Points of Contact -12.5 Ways to Jumpstart Your Life and Weather Any Storm.

Greg trained with us for his first half and full marathon in 2011-2012. At that time he was celebrating one year of being cancer free.

His enthusiasm is contagious . . . Continue Reading →

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How to Beat a Motivational Slump in Your Running

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There are many different reasons why you may face a lack of enthusiasm and energy for training.

We often face life stressors—those positive or negative events that cause change or upheaval in life.

Some of these events may be easy to identify but some are more subtle. Things like a new job, loss of job, starting school, ending school, getting married, going through a divorce, having a baby, kids leaving the nest, moving, building a home, death of a friend or family member, illness, injury, a running partner moving, change of schedule, change of seasons, cold or hot weather, etc.

All these things can leave us with less energy and throw off our normal routine. Before you know it you may be in an exercise or running slump. And the longer you go without running regularly, the harder it is to start doing it again.

Pretty soon you wonder if you’ll ever get your mojo back. Continue Reading →

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Fitness Begins In The Mind!

Angie and family climbing Square Butte in Central Montana

Angie and family climbing Square Butte in Central Montana

Since we’re traveling around the American West climbing mountains and seeing family we’re a little behind on podcast production.

Here’s a training lesson pulled directly from the Academy member’s only area. I know you’ll love it!

Before you can physically run 26.2 miles or accomplish any other running goal you have to believe that you can do it. Continue Reading →

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Using Running to be a Positive Role Model

1966841_10153012674421458_2388242113758593571_n“What’s that mummy? Can I have some?”

I’ll bet I’m not the only mum who has an inquisitive child.

In my case he’s two-and-a-half and he wants to know everything – what am I doing, what am I holding, more importantly, what am I eating.

I’ve learned I have to be a positive role model. I want to be the person that I want my child to become.

That doesn’t happen by stuffing my face full of chocolate, lazing around on the couch and thinking the wet weather is a great excuse to watch movies all day.

Many years ago that would have been my first idea. But when I moved to New Zealand I found I was drawn to the active lifestyle and since then I have been a runner (I’ve been an Ironman triathlete too but those days disappeared long ago!). Continue Reading →

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20 Running Mantras

run_mantra.001
Runners repeatedly feed their mind with inspirational, motivational and even humorous sayings during long-distance training runs or races.

During my first marathon somewhere around Mile 16, I heard a bystander repeating to all the runners who came by her, “You can and you will.”

I really didn’t know what a mantra was at that point, but I kept repeating it in my head, and it turned out to be a mantra that I still use today.

Continue Reading →

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The Ingredients of Success in Endurance and Life – Interview with Joe De Sena

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Joe De Sena once completed the Badwater 135, Lake Placid Ironman, and Vermont 100 miler in the same week.

He famously finished the 444 mile Iditarod dogsledding race on foot. (Yes people you read that correctly). He starts every morning with 300 burpees and a run then he hoses off with a cold shower JUST FOR FUN. 🙂

His legendary Death Race has taken the strongest human specimens and ground them to powder.

I’ve heard that Chuck Norris has a Joe De Sena lunch box. Continue Reading →

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Indoor Marathons and Developing Mental Toughness

Just another lap at the Hawk Indoor Marathon and 50k.

Just another lap at the Hawk Indoor Marathon and 50k.

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This podcast episode was inspired by my first ever indoor marathon -the Hawk Indoor Marathon and 50k in Hagerstown, Maryland.

If I could emphasize any one of the points about running an indoor marathon it would be to focus on your mental attitude.

Thinking and vocalizing negativity is rarely helpful. Dealing with monotony, pain, and even loneliness can be a way to develop mental toughness. Why is mental toughness so important? Because the tough stuff in life can either make us or break us.

In this post I’ll share some tips for successfully running an indoor marathon and then finish by adding a few words about developing mental toughness. Continue Reading →

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Just Go For It! Four Mantras for Attempting Great Things in Your Marathon Training and Life

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When the New Year arrives many of us think about making changes and undertaking certain challenges.

Our theme for this podcast and year is “Just Go For It.” This is a reflection of what Trevor and I are aiming for in our business and running.

For most goals there will never be that “perfect” time. You have to make the perfect time.

Your goals and challenges for 2015 will be unique to you. But I want to make some suggestions on how to decide on goals and how to carry them through. Continue Reading →

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