The Running Bear Blog

Just ran 6.2 miles in around 50 minutes, and it felt great. Stretched and lifted after that. That’s what happens when you treat your body right. Time to enjoy the weekend.

It is amazing to see what happens when you treat your body with respect. Absolutely amazing.

The body, and the mind, are a lot more logical than we care to believe. We may have free will, and yes, we can in theory control our destiny, but the fact is that we are an amalgamation of chemical reactions, purely biological beings. We respond to stimuli. Our bodies respond, as do our minds. When you tell yourself that you are happy, when you tell yourself you want to succeed, when you spend your time doing things that you love, your body and your mind reprogram to express your feelings through your body and its behavior.

This past week was the first week during which I was really able to immerse myself in the content and the lifestyle of my new environment. I did a lot, I learned a lot, and I spent time with a lot of great people. That’s what I signed up for, that’s what I want, and that’s what I did. It made me happy. Consequently, I treated my body in the best way possible. I ate really well, got as much sleep as physically possible, and tried to fit some strength work into the schedule when I could. Could I have done better? Yes. Was the week still a resounding success? Yes.

I could go on, but I think the point is made. Do not be afraid, wherever you are, to seek out what it is that makes you happy. If you’re already there, stick with it. Keep enjoying it. Immerse yourself in it. You will thank yourself for it, as will your body.

Go for a run (or a walk) this weekend!
Zack

It would be easy to say that today marks the beginning of a huge and positive change in my life. It would be easy to extrapolate the healthy meals I ate, the discipline I exerted, and the workout routines I finished and say that it is a done deal that I will reach my fitness goals before the end of the year.

But the reality is that the future is uncertain. These next few months will be filled with growth opportunities. With growth comes stress. In the past, stress has derailed me. But not this time. Not in this moment.

Today, I lived in the moment. I ate my protein-filled salads with glory. I crushed liter after liter of water, only to drink more water later. I stayed positive and minimized my caffeine intake to the lowest sustainable level.

And, moving forward, I will continue to stay in the moment. Rather than focus on December 11, 2011, I will focus on the now. I will focus on drinking water, getting ready for bed, going to sleep, getting up on time, getting a short cardio session in tomorrow, and making a meeting at 8:15am. That is my next challenge.

Success is the integral (or amalgamation, to use a non-math term) of the value of many small moments. Step by step, I’m accruing value. It does not matter where I start, or where you start for that matter. It all depends on how much you contribute to that value through positivity, spirit, and hard work.

Best wishes for a wonderful Tuesday, everyone.

Zack

Just finished a workout that included some pretty speedy running, some mild running, and some inclined walking. 5.45mi total in about an hour.

I realized that there’s a big reason that I’ve been running all of these years. In addition to the physical fitness, friendships, relationships, and meaning it has given me for the past 10 years, distance running, particularly runs longer than 45 minutes, gives my mind a new clarity that I neither understand nor am able to explain and a clarity that will teach me something new and important about the world.

Those insights are often the root of my optimism, the source of the infallibility of my spirit. They are what keep me going “between the woods and frozen lake,” to quote a great man.

Happy weekend all. Enjoy this great weather.

Zack

My life has been crazy for the past few months. In the past two months, I have been in 7 cities in 3 countries on two different continents. I have moved residences twice. I have learned 6 weeks of information in three. All of these things typically cause people to get stressed, to worry, and to get out of shape.

And yet, I just ran 3 miles on the treadmill in 22:25, which is sub-7:30 pace.

Yes, I was able to do that a few months ago and in truth I could have run 4 miles in sub-29.

But this small, tiny accomplishment tells me, or reminds me, should I say, that I have the strength to keep pursuing my goals and that my goals are closer to my reach than I may think. If I keep the passion up, keep the drive up, and do the right thing one step at a time, one day, I’ll be there.

Now off to see a good friend for dinner.

That was awesome.

Zack

Hello!

It feels great to be back on this blog after almost a month. The last month has been extremely hectic in terms of re-locating, a ton of learning to do, getting settled in NYC, meeting up with people, etc. Now, though, I am really back for good, and I’m excited to keep posting on this blog and sharing my thoughts and experiences about running, food, fitness, and the intersection of all of those in a healthy lifestyle.

This blog will have a different spin over the coming months. My life is going to be extremely busy over the coming months, and yet I do not want this life change to adversely impact my physical impact. I hope to use this blog to keep myself to task and to share to you that it is possible to stay in shape even if you are working 15-20 hour days. It is always possible to choose water over soda. It is always possible to choose grilled over fried. It is always possible to choose salad over burrito bowl with rice. And, most importantly, it is always possible to think positively rather than negatively. You can change any thought from a negative into a positive.

So, here’s to that. Here’s to a (hot) summer and fall of nutritious eating, positive thinking, and physical exertion. As always, your comments are most appreciated and welcomed. Please know that Chris and I always read your emails and try to respond to them as quickly as humanly possible given our schedules. Thanks so much for your continued support, and have a great day! I’m about to go to the gym now and get some cardio on.

Next post is going to be about the importance of breakfast.

Zack

If you love fitness, getting up early in the morning, and motivating people, and live in Manhattan, send an email to runningbeartv@gmail.com.

More to come.

Zack