I love a good book and a good book that can make me fall in love with running all over again is hard to find and greatly cherished. Hence the reason I read this book over one weekend! I have been interested in 
reading Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness since it came out. I’ve been fascinated with him since we met in Miami…he genuinely loves to run and to share it…right up my alley!
Personally I loved the book. It was one of the most well written books from a runner that I have read, which I think is probably due to his great co-author Steve Friedman but I could be wrong. When I say well written I mean that it was so descriptive you could truly get inside each moment and he captured very well the mindset we’ve all had while trying to decide if we should keep going or stop…only clearly Jurek simply keeps moving!
“If you’re an athlete and you’re fortunate, you’ve felt it. Being “in the zone”, tasting satori- the sudden, Zen-like clarity that comes when you least expect it, often when your body is pushed to the limit.”
Eat & Run takes your from Jurek’s childhood through college and then through his racing career. Though he experienced a LOT of hard things in life you never quite feel sorry for him and when he speaks of running on a broken ankle, you simply think…well of course you did!
He clearly goes through highly competitive phases which push him to do things like win the Western States 100 followed a few weeks later by attempting Bad Water then in to phases where he is seeking that bliss we find on a great run and the prize no longer matters. All of these parts together pull in any passionate runner and plant that little seed of an ultra.
“I try to let science steer my training while staying open to the animal joy of running.”
Many people may only know Scott from his appearance in the now famous Born To Run, but his career and life have been one long adventure. The places he has run would make anyone envious and his ability to power through less than ideal circumstances are inspiring.
The book is also filled with a number of his favorite Vegan recipes, be on the lookout because I’ve tested a few and tweaked them to meet my whacky way of eating. I’ll be sharing the recipes soon!
Checkout the purpose of Accountability Monday’s>>
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Goal check in: Much more focused this week and continued to move with purpose through each thing I worked on.
Goal for Week: Planning out more of my time to ensure I am focused and don’t let things take longer simply because I can.
Ehhh….I am not sure if it was success or not. I left my watch at home so I couldn’t do anything but listen to my body on pacing, but I also had a rough week on the health side of things. Keeping a detailed food journal now and trying something a little more extreme…details later.
Goal for Week: Enjoy the movement to whatever extent my body is agreeable and know that it is enough.
June 3
AM: 40 min walk, 25 min Pilates, 20 min foam roll and stretch
June 4
AM: 65 min run, 30 min walk
– This was a good test of being gentle with myself. At 2 miles I wanted to collapse, so I walked and when I started to feel better I started running and found a rhythm that felt good so I got in another 45 minutes. If I would have pushed through to start I’d have finished at 3 and missed out on how good those other miles felt.
PM: 25 min walk, 20 min stretch/foam roll
June 5
AM: 40 min walk + 5 min running drills, 30 min yoga, Stability Ball Abs
PM: It was a rest day, but also National Running day…so even in the pouring rain I had to get out there. 2 easy miles.
June 6
AM: I should have skipped this workout, but I’m stubborn. I ended up with 40 minutes on the treadmill alternating running/walking with steep inclines…finished and felt beyond exhausted and shaky. I’m not learning my lesson very well right now.
PM: Nice easy walk just to move a little.
June 7
AM: 60 min run, 20 min walk
– felt a million times better, probably shouldn’t have gone so far, but I got lost!
PM: 30 min walk, 30 min stretch/foam roll
June 8
AM: 70 min biking with David, tested out new core workout
June 9
AM: 90 min run, running form drills, 20 min walk, 20 min stretch
Have you read Eat & Run or any other inspiring running books lately?
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Gratitude Journal
June 10
I am grateful for Sunday morning where my body agreed to simply go and my mind enjoyed the run while also focusing on great form and breathing patterns.
WSSC Conference Review