Don't get stale - go the trail

Today was spent in the company of the earth and running trails through parts of the North shore of Sydney that I had not ventured previously. Anyone that knows me knows that my preference is for running on asphalt or concrete, but I found the trails today liberating in a strange way. I even tried a technique that I had read about involving closing you eyes and following your feet over the ground – not to be tried on very steep downhills when attempting it for the first time.

The way forward with these sorts of runs for me has definitely been the bounding and plyometrics that I have been doing as part of my routine the past couple of weeks. The bounding makes one alot surer of the feet and where they are going to fall over the terrain.

Try the ply and feel all the difference as you fly – over the trails.

Running together – stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

What more can we do?

The past two days of running (aside from being enjoyed with very little company on the roads and trails), really reminded me of the importance of keeping grounded not only at Christmas but indeed all through the year.

Although many parts of the city were deserted, there did still seem to be a fair few homeless folk who did not seem to have anywhere to go or have anything to eat (much less a roast turkey dinner).

One can only be really grateful that in places like Australia we have organisations that are doing really good work to help to alleviate the suffering of those less fortunate than ourselves. As runners we can all help these organisations in so many ways, be it volunteering a few hours a week or agreeing to fundraise for them through our next big event.

Most runners I know have inherently good hearts and are keen to help out where they can and assist in improving the lot of someone else.
Think about how much you have versus how much you actually need in life. We all have the capacity to do more or give more in 2011.

May you see and do good in all your actions in the coming year.

Running together – Stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Christmas running

None so happy as a Christmas spent on the run.
Remember as you eat your lunch that for some the presents are none
Tomorrow we eat, drink and merry shall be
while many more languish in poverty - hardly free
So take a minute to think how you live
How in 2011 how much more you and your running can give!

Running together - stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

The wolf at twilight

Once again today I am acting out of character and doing a book review.

I have previously highlighted ‘Neither Wolf nor Dog’ by Kent Nerburn and am now highlighting his followup book ‘The wolf at twilight’.

Both books appeal to me as they emphasise what is wrong with our western society and encourage one to look at the alternative (in this case the way of the Native American Indian). Simple ways we can all adopt into our lives as runners and humans.

Live closer to the earth, give thanks on a regular basis, share more with others, protect the earth – talk to it and run with the earth and as part of the earth.

I wish you well over the Christmas period – become involved in the giving spirit of the season, but remember that it is just as good to have this spirit the whole year round as opposed to just over the Christmas period.

Running together (while staying close to the earth) – Stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller