Journey From Philadelphia to Myrtle Beach to Run 13.1 Miles

By Lauren Grant

Let me first begin by saying that everything that could have gone wrong on this trip, did. To tell this story, I should probably start from the beginning.

Several months ago, I tried to convince my boyfriend to run a half marathon with me, but he declined. So when a friend mentioned she would be going to Myrtle Beach to run a half with a friend who lived down in North Carolina, I jumped at the chance to go. And so we began planning our days off from work, our flights there and back and our hotel, much to the dismay of my boyfriend and my parents who declared this trip a waste of money as there are other half marathon closer to Philadelphia. I should have known.

We soon learned that the friend, who we would be meeting down there, had asked her mom and sister to come down for the race, but since they live nearby, the four of us (me, my friend, and her friend’s mom and sister) booked the flights and hotel rooms. I started training for the race and as it quickly approached. I learned training in the Winter is not the most enjoyable thing to do, but I had to because I was paying all this money to go to Myrtle Beach. I couldn’t back out even if I wanted to.

There was a threat of snow for the day before we were schedule to fly to Myrtle Beach. The amount predicted increased from a few inches to over a foot. We began to get nervous our flight would be canceled, but never thought it actually would. The snow came and we were pounded with over a foot, which meant my friend and I couldn’t drive to the airport the next day as both of our cars can’t handle snow well.

Eventually we learned that our 7am flight had been canceled. Our layover (which we didn’t know we had until that day) was in Michigan, a mere 7-hour drive. Long story short, we were stuck with only a few options: drive, try and get another flight, take a train or forget the whole trip. The sister and the mom spent the rest of the night on the phone and my friend and I learned that they had decided to get us a flight out of Norfolk, VA, a 6-hour drive from us and about halfway to Myrtle Beach. Despite the fact that the roads were barely plowed, we were picked up around 7am, and then rented a car to drive down. The rental company, who will remain unnamed, was so backed up as 7 of their employees called out that morning, that we waited for a half hour to get a car. We were told the information would be added into the system later in the day as that took too much time with only a few workers. We didn’t think anything of it.

Since we left Philadelphia around 8am, that gave us exactly six and half hours to drive to Norfolk, drop off the car, get through security and make our flight. Over the course of the next five and half hours, we ran out of windshield wiper fluid (which when it snows and the salt flies up, makes it impossible to see and therefore drive) and the one store we stopped at was out of the fluid. We used my full water bottle to refill the empty wiper fluid. We switched drivers once from the mom to the sister, who proceeded to drive 90 MPH for most of the way. Then we hit traffic -twice- and we thought we were done for.

Everything seemed fine after the traffic in Northern Virginia until the car told us we were only 10 miles from an empty tank and riding on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, not the smartest thing to do but the sister refused to stop. As the gas went down, she kept going and driving at very fast speeds. She eventually stopped and put in $4 just to be able to make it to the drop off at the airport. When we finally got to the drop off, we did the quick checkout and ran for the airport. Thank God this was a small airport or we would not have been able to get through security and check-in as quickly as we did.

We made our flight and flew into Georgia and then hopped on a little “Puddle Jumper” to Myrtle Beach, where we learned they were calling for snow the day before the race.

It would be the first time in 10 years it snowed in Myrtle Beach. Of course it would. At this point we didn’t think it could get any worse, but it did.

Because of the impending snow, the race director decided the day before the race to push back the start from 6:30am to 7:00am. As the night went on, it began snowing, lightly at first and it wasn’t sticking. A decision for the race was to be made at 5:00pm, and then that was pushed back to 10:00pm. Finally at the end of the 10 O’clock news the anchor announced that the city decided to cancel the race because of the snow.

This was the worst news. Everything we went through up to this point to get down there was in vain. Still, we didn’t want to waste all of our training efforts so decided to still run the 13.1-mile course at 7:00 am. We began a little late but started near the planned start line and tried to follow the course. There were tons of runners out on the course. I felt proud that we were still out there, but sad I wouldn’t receive my medal I had worked so hard for.

I ran alone for the majority of the run and turned around at the spot my friends and I had agreed on, but I never saw them. I got back and was picked up by the rest of our party who informed me that several people were wearing medals. I ran down the finishing chute and no one was there. We drove around for a while looking for the other two and for those medals with no luck. We drove back near the hotel and found the other two. Then we drove back to the finish to see if there were any medals there, and there were. So we all ran down the chute together and got our medals. I felt like I really accomplished something, even though the time wasn’t official. I had a great time that day. Despite the snow that was the cause of all our cancellations and the interesting trip down, I had a good time and I’m happy I was there.

Lauren A. Grant graduated from Albright College in 2008 with a B.A. in Communications. She is interested in many different aspects of communications including writing, editing, design and layout, public relations, as well as photography and website building. Lauren recently picked up bicycling and is a volunteer for the marketing initiative of the Tour de Cure bike race for the Philadelphia area. After her first half-marathon in February, she will try to train for a triathlon. Lauren enjoys reading, running, cycling, shopping and puppies.

By Georgia Cameron

I admit it. I have a problem. When I look into the eyes of a dog or cat on death row, or one that happens to wind up at my back door looking for food, I can’t help but get involved. There’s an intrinsic high you get when you save something that is near death, and seeing them off to their new homes with people that love and cherish them makes me feel like a super hero. I can’t imagine a drug that feels this good; on every level I am tingling with master-of-the-universe like power. I just saved a life.

After several years of near bankruptcy because of my condition, a few girlfriends and I pitched together and started what was supposed to be a tax umbrella and a little help for the vet care we put into our strays. Within three years we had grown to a point that was beyond a combined addiction – it was sheer insanity. With only 6 real volunteers and 4 foster homes, we managed to save over 220 animals in 2009. Of that number, more than ¾ had been marked for euthanasia at municipal shelters either because of space constraints or because they had failed behavioral tests. What makes our rescue different is that one of our founders is a professional dog trainer; we combine training into every single aspect of the rescue experience. Our dogs are rehabilitated from the ground up, and where once stood a terrified Chihuahua that would try and bite is now a happy family dog that enjoys hugs from children.

There are varying levels of rescue addiction. Some people watch Craigslist; others forward emails, some occasionally foster. Then there are the full blown addicts who are just crazy enough to try and start an actual organization dedicated to saving these animals. You are in a whole new territory when people are contacting you directly to save a dog they saw tied to a stop sign – and you actually go pick it up.

There is a lot of learning when you first start a rescue. Effectively filing your 501 application is no small feat, and finding ways to raise funds and stick to a budget is just as difficult. You will fight amongst yourselves, but in the end you’ll realize it takes the group effort to make a true rescue succeed, not just one individual.

Your personal life will suffer. Only a compassionate partner will understand when you have to skip a romantic dinner date so you can crawl through the mud, trapping kittens under an abandoned house that’s about to be torn down. You will reach points of sheer exhaustion, but you somehow manage to carry on (although not always coherently).

You will spar with your supporters. Some think you are miracle workers, others see you as paper pushers who just make the process more difficult with reference checks and adoption fees. You will quickly realize who your true friends are – the ones that will listen to your crazy stories and let you cry on their shoulder when you have a melt down. They also forward your frantic emails looking for homes when you get in 5 death-row dogs in one day, and somehow also managed to find a stray on the side of the road.

Your outer self may seem more tired, more world weary, and more jaded. You’ll have scars from bites, scratches and random accidents, and you’ll get more than one tetanus shot. Like a used car salesman you will start plugging your adoptable animals to everyone you know or meet. Yet the biggest change will come from within.

Your inner self, the one you know so intimately and can count on to act rationally, becomes like a lightning rod and occasionally a stranger. You will begin to feel the power of the universe as it moves through you, putting you in places at times that can’t be coincidence. You experience miracles that take your breath away. You will do things that sane people would walk away from, but you somehow embrace with the passion of a person who can see the difference they are making in the world.

In a short amount of time, you will become as one who does not feel complete if they aren’t juggling 20 balls at once. The people at PetSmart will know you by name, and your friends will begin to include veterinarians, animal control officers, and those similarly afflicted. You will love and hate the animals you save. You will fall to your knees in near ecstasy when that black mutt that’s been in your program for nearly a year smiles at you as he’s walked out the door by his new owners. You will cry when the dog that was dumped at the kill shelter for having cancer loses her battle, asleep on your bed. But you will thank the powers that be that you get to participate in this crazy ride that is animal rescue, and feel blessed for the ups and downs that now mark your life.

I am a rescue addict, and I am proud to admit it. In fact, it’s the thing I am most proud of about my life. It makes me whole just as it tears me apart. My inner-me has never been so lovely, just as my outer me has never had such a messy house or so many scars. But to save the life of a deserving animal, and give it a second chance, is the greatest accomplishment I can ever claim.

My name is Georgia Cameron, and I am the Vice President of a no-kill, non-breed specific animal rescue in Denver, Colorado. What started on a whim has turned into a full-time job and hobby. Check out NSC Rescue to learn about our organization and find out how you can get involved.

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Essential Tips for Planning Your Ski Vacation

By Brianna Dean

Although the 2009/2010 ski season is halfway over, many would agree that the best skiing is still to come. In addition to a great workout, skiing and snowboarding is a excellent way to share unforgettable experiences with family and friends.

It is not too late to book a trip to a ski resort to take advantage of the numerous events and attractions that the mountain towns have to offer.

Spring Break is typically associated with white sand and tropical drinks, but those who seek a more unique getaway flock to the mountains and trade in their sandals for ski boots. Still, don’t forget to pack your bikini and board shorts so you can relax in the hot tub after a long day on the slopes.

Never planned a ski vacation before? No worries. Working at a ski shop in the Mountains of Colorado has given me hands-on experience with frustrated first-timers. The frequent phrase repeated by most travelers is, “Help, I’ve never done this before”. Don’t worry, I am here to help. Below are tips I have gathered in order to ease the stress and confusion while trying to enjoy your ski vacation.

1) RESERVE AND CONSERVE…STRESS

You may think that a ski town’s most available item are ski rental packages, and that waiting till you arrive won’t be a problem to attain. Well, think again. Although there are typically a plethora of ski shops in most mountain towns, waiting until the last minute to walk in for rentals will leave you waiting…and skiing less. I highly recommend making your reservation in advance so your rental package is guaranteed to be ready to go upon arrival. Most places will require a small deposit for insurance (that will go towards your balance) and 24 hours notice so they can prepare your package. Some places, like Christy Sports, even offer a discount for advance reservations. Save yourself the hassle of a walk-in and reserve today.

With rising baggage costs, renting skis may be even less expensive than paying to fly your equipment across the country. Plus, you will most likely get to slide on some newer, more advanced skis than the pair that’s been collecting dust in your garage.

2) WHO’S WEARING WHAT?

Skiing and snowboarding gear has become increasingly stylish over the past few years, but warmth and protection should be your main focus. I’ve been asked over and over again what the temperature will be like on the slopes. There is no simple answer to this question as the conditions on the mountain are constantly changing. Preparation is key. Since weather is as unpredictable as the Dow Jones these days, I recommend the following gear:

Start at the bottom: Always wear a base layer like Smartwool or Patagonia under your ski clothing. Wear both leggings or tights and a wicking shirt for full-body warmth below your outerwear. Thick socks made for skiing are a must. There is nothing worse than frigid toes after riding the lift to the wind-crested mountain top.

Work your way up: Wear water resistant pants and a coat with a warm liner in case of a potential powder day. Knitted gloves? Don’t even think about it. You’re asking for frost-bitten fingers if you select those. Choose high-quality gloves or mittens. If you have poor blood circulation, like me, I would recommend mittens (they will keep your fingers close together to create more body heat to keep the blood flowing).

Top it off: Find a good material to hug your neck. A Turtle Fur Neck Gaitor is basically the “neck” part of a turtleneck. These can be purchased at most sports equipment stores and can be pulled over your mouth and chin to block the wind when you are racing downhill. Some people use a scarf, others use a handkerchief; just be sure to bring something to protect you neck and throat from the piercing wind.

Goggles are just as important as your coat and pants. They protect your eyes from sun, snow, and wind.

Helmets are optional yet advised. They provide both safety, warmth, and some (like Red’s Hi-Fi Audio model) feature built in speakers so you can rock out on your way down the hill. If you plan on packing in all of your extreme skiing into a 3 day weekend, just remember that even Johnny Knoxville wears a helmet in most of his stunts. It’s not worth adding yourself to the number of head-injuries that occur every year out on the slopes.

Last but not least, suncreeen with SPF 15 or higher is definitely needed to fend off the intense, high-elevation rays. A goggle tan may look wicked-awesome when you come back from your vacation, but serious sun exposure on the slopes can damage your skin just as bad as a hot summer day.

3) CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF

Altitude sickness can hit without warning. Entering a higher elevation should be gradual, but for visitors it’s understood there just isn’t enough time. The best advice is to listen to your body’s warning signs when you arrive. Thirsty? Drink more water (yes, water) than you think you need. The air is dryer up there and not as rich is oxygen and will dehydrate you faster than normal. Bring a water bottle on your trip and fill it up at an airport water fountain, or spend the extra dollar on an Aquafina.

Getting drunk faster than usual? Take your drinks with ease your first night there, alcohol will hit you harder at high elevations, make you feel worse in the morning, and amplify the symptoms of altitude sickness. Drink slowly and moderately until you know how your body will react to the new altitude.

Tired? Take a short nap. Exhausting your body won’t get you to the slopes any faster. In fact, it may ruin your trip or endanger you while on the mountain.

Click here to learn more about acute altitude sickness.

Hopefully these small tips will help you with your travels. I know just as well as all the other mountain dwellers that tourism keeps our resorts open and functioning. It is wonderful to see happy tourists enjoying themselves on Colorado’s slopes. Follow these tips and you will be sure to have a warm, safe, and happy ski vacation.

Colorado Ski Resources

Visit Colorado Ski Country USA for more information about skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.

To reserve ski and snowboard rentals online, click on Christy Sports or call 877-754-7627.

Click here order the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide.

Brianna Dean is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for skiing. She grew up in Southern California and frequently moved as a child until she and her family settled in Kansas, much to her dismay. Feeling trapped and unfulfilled in a comfortable, mundane life, she packed up and moved to Colorado. Although she now calls Denver home, Brianna is currently spending the winter at the base of a mountain while working for a ski company. She enjoys biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and playing with her dog, Pali (who is named after a ski lift at Arapahoe Basin). When not working you will find her mastering a 360 at the terrain park, cooking vegetarian dinners, or discussing epic powder days at a dive bar.


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ProLong Magazine thinks very highly of Aveda for a number of reasons. They produce the highest quality, natural salon products on the market and offer incredible hair, skin care, and body services. What makes Aveda especially unique is their dedication to environmental responsibility and giving back to society. Their products are made with naturally-derived ingredients from traditional communities around the world and is one of the largest purchasers of organic ingredients in the personal care industry. In addition they are the first beauty company manufacturing with 100% certified wind power.

Over its 30 year history, Aveda has innovated the hair and skin care industry by producing earth-friendly products that are never tested on animals and provided millions of dollars to environmental and social causes. Click here to learn more about their mission, environmental initiatives, and community care. Go to www.aveda.com to see Aveda’s complete line of hair care, skin care, body, and styling products and services.

Burning Calories When The Gym Is The Last Place On Your Mind

By Matt Tucker

So you want to get in shape, but you would rather get a root canal than go to the gym. You already ran the rat race all day at work and the last thing you want to do is feel like you are spinning a hamster wheel by jogging on the treadmill. If listening to Kenny G on repeat for five hours straight sounds more exciting than exercising for 20 minutes then you need to continue reading.

I have heard hundreds of excuses why people don’t exercise. I understand. It is hard to get motivated. Let me ask you this: what would you say if I told you that it is possible to have fun AND burn calories at the same time? It can be done.

Whether you despise the gym or you just want to mix up your workout routine, check out ProLong Magazine’s list of Alternative Fitness Ideas:

Stay Young at Heart; Play Like a Kid Again: For fun, fitness, and to meet new people, join an adult recreation league. You quickly forget you are exercising when running around on the playing field with your friends. Leagues like Sports Monster offer exciting sports like Ultimate Frisbee, Dodgeball, Soccer, Flag Football, Volleyball, and Broom Ball.

Put On Your Dancing Shoes: You’ve spent enough time on the couch watching Dancing With The Stars. It’s time to get up and dance. Sign up for a swing class or simply go to the club and get your groove on.

Walk the Dog: Fenced in backyards make dog owners lazy. Don’t just open the door and let Fido out to do his business. Taking your dog for a long walk in the evening is a great way to unwind and burn some calories while bonding with your pup.

Explore Your City: There is no better way to see a city’s nooks and crannies than taking a walking tour. Lace up some comfortable shoes and start exploring. You never know what you may find along the way.

Rock Climbing: Get your adrenaline pumping and challenge yourself. Indoor rock climbing is an excellent full-body workout, a perfect evening activity to break up a long week, and a great date idea. Rock on.

Build a Snowman: Remember how much you used to love snow days as a kid? Next time it snows, grab your friends and get outside. Make a snowman, build a fort, and have a snowball fight. Then grab your sled and feel the burn when you hike back to the top of the hill.

Kick It Old School: Fight off the pounds by signing up for martial arts class and give your love handles a roundhouse kick to the face.

Boatload of Fun: Rent a canoe or kayak and spend the afternoon paddling around the lake. Laughing burns calories. Add more laughs to boating by wearing eye patches and talking like a pirate.

Sex: Enough said.

Finish Your Chores: Yard and house work can be quite the workout. Keep the tractor in the shed and mow the lawn with a push mower. Shovel snow. Rake leaves. Chop Wood. Garden. Vacuum. Your house will look great and so will you.

Hand-Eye Coordination: Give your fingers a workout and log onto ProLong Magazine often to check out all of the awesome content that we have on the website for your viewing pleasure.

Share your Alternative Fitness Ideas by commenting below!

Overcome Grief By Strengthening Your Heart Chakra

By Alicia Parks

It’s been nearly a decade since I broke up with my boyfriend. Well, actually it’s been more like 8 months, but it’s certainly felt like an eternity. As time continues to pass and the wounds struggle to heal I’m becoming impatient with how long it’s taking to just get over it already! Is there a cure for a broken heart – other than time?

Strengthening Heart Chakras

There are the temporary fixes: ice cream, drinks with friends, a shopping spree (be it electronics or clothes), more drinks, more ice cream, and the random cute rebound. Or, the less than classy approach: angrily cutting up the pictures, burning gift and mementos into a roaring bonfire hoping the smoke will cloud the present and blur the past.

Then today in yoga, the instructor focused on the heart chakra. We moved through a series of heart openers to create space in the heart center: space to give and receive love. By my third back bend I had lost it. I gave in and let the tears flow. I felt a sudden moment of peace for the first time in months.

The heart chakra is the center of our harmony. When this energy point is balanced we feel loved and able to give love more freely. When this energy is imbalanced we feel closed off to love. The body can actually physically begin to draw more inward to close off and protect the heart center when this energy is low. However, when this energy point is balanced the heart center will open and the sternum will lift, shoulders will draw back thus allowing the energy to flow more openly.

Chakras are seven energy points within the body from the tail bone to the crown of the head. Each point is a spinning wheel of energy and depending if the energy is low, high or balanced, the spinning wheel will either be low and small, or increasingly fast and large.

The first chakra resonates at the base of the spine and is the color red. This is the center for being grounded. The second is the center for nourishment and is housed near the genitals below the navel. Its color is orange. Next is the yellow energy wheel in the solar plexus and the center for intention. The heart center is a green color. Above that is the throat chakra which is blue in color and where we find expression. The third-eye point , insight, is purple in color or depending on text could be a light blue color. Finally, the crown chakra-believed by some to be a white or clear energy or a purple color is where enlightenment, wisdom or higher spiritual knowledge is housed.

Since chakra energy is simply about finding balance, when our heart chakra is suffering from heart-ache, loss, grief or a recent breakup, perhaps focusing on charging this energy could be an alternative to time. Though many of us seek quick fixes to pain or inconvenience, a lesson in patience could be welcomed relief.

After a series of yoga classes in which I continued to focus more on the heart center through spine-strengthening sequences like cobra, locust and floor-bow to heart openers like camel and backbends I was able to let more and more go each time. Though I still have some healing to do, I believe very much that I gained a huge edge on my path to healing my heart. We may never fully understand why some relationships work and some don’t but at least there’s another option to healing.

Heart Openers

There are several beautiful options in yoga for opening the heart center. It’s simply a matter of leading with the heart, strengthening the core and spine and releasing tension hidden in the neck and shoulders. The simplest way to open the heart is proper posture-ensuring that shoulders are drawn away from the ears and down the back while pulling the naval to the spine (engaging the core).

In a standing series, taking a slight backbend while in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) is a simple and gentle option. Backbends are an effective way to open the heart as well as bring a bounty of energy into the body (which is why heart openers are best served in the morning and not before bed).

My breakthrough heart opener was in Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel) and my continuous challenging heart opener is Ustrasana (Camel). It’s important to ensure the body is properly warmed up before engaging in heart openers since these poses require good core and spine strength. Opening the hips first (with poses such as Eka Pada Rajakasana (Pigeon)) will allow a more gentle and deeper benefit from heart openers. Other options include Dhanurasana (Bow Pose), Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose), Bitilasana (Cow Pose), Matsyasana (Fish Pose), Salambhasana (Locust Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and even Urdva Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog).

For a gentle sequence after waking I recommend beginning with a few Sun Salutations starting with Balasana (Child’s Pose) moving on to Cat-Cow movement and on to plank pose. From there draw back to Audo Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog). Take a few deep breaths through the nose and slowly arrive to Uttanasana (forward fold). Slowing arrive to Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and take a gentle back bend. Release to Uttanasana then back to Tadasana with a back bend and flow through this a few times. From Uttanasana step back to high plank pose again and then release all the way to the ground on the belly. Inhale into Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). Exhale to release and then inhale into Salambhasana (Locust Pose). Exhale to release and flow through these two poses a few more times. Take time between each movement and then release back Balasana (Child’s Pose) to focus on the breath and the energy in the heart chakra. Come back to Cat-Cow movement and then come to standing on knees. Close the sequence with a long, slow flow into Ustrasana (Camel) pose. Take up to six full inhalations and exhalations before letting go and slowly find a seat with eyes closed. Absorb the energy created and released around the heart center. Acknowledge any emotions that may have come up and know that which no longer serves no longer has a hold on the heart center.

“Learn, grow, live… And then write about it!” Alicia started her path to wellness and environmental leadership at Wild Oats, following college graduation with a degree in journalism. Her passion for natural living, environment, and wellness set the foundation for a future with Aveda where she is currently a marketing manager and manages the yoga program for staff and students. She is a certified yoga instructor and received her training through Core Power. Her favorite pose is handstand, though she is still working on mastering it. Her writing is a continuous practice, much like yoga, and began when she published her first book at age 12 called, “What Mothers and Fathers Do Best.” She is a proud mother of a 6-year-old boy, Tyler, the source for her inspiration to live in the moment-be mindful-be gracious and flow. Tyler is currently publishing one book a week, his latest being the “ABC of Animals.”

Read Alicia’s other article, “Getting Back to the Yoga Mat“.

Risking it all to find happiness

By Brianna Dean

Thanksgiving Day, 2009: I gazed out the window at the glare from snow-capped mountains and thought to myself, “Wow, it’s a great day to ski”. While sipping coffee, I threw on my usual ski gear and grabbed the twin-tip’s for a nice day of carving powder. The ride up the gondola to the base of Breckenridge Mountain was quieter than usual, but it didn’t seem to bother me. The view was remarkable. I adjusted my goggles and couldn’t think of a place I’d rather be at that moment. Let me take you back a few years…

Early April, 2007: It was a gloomy Sunday evening in Kansas City, Missouri and I had just walked in the door from my typical grocery store purchase: water, turkey, bread, saltine crackers, and a bottle of Pinot Grigio. The sun set behind overcast skies accentuating the already dreary day. After putting away the groceries I laid down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. It was 6:00pm. I had no roommate to converse with, no cable to fall asleep to. I could hear the clock ticking. Every tick was another wasted moment. It was almost time to crack open the wine and drink myself into a slumber.

I was dreading work the next day. 8 hours of staring out my office window toward the West hoping that if I tried hard enough, I would eventually see what I knew was on the other side of the Flint Hills of Kansas. On the other side sat the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, the San Marcos Mountains…even the beautiful Pacific Ocean that I once took advantage of while growing up in Southern California. I knew it was all there. So why wasn’t I? Why do I only visit these places and not live there, I thought? Why do I still live in a city that leaves me depressed and uncomfortable? What am I still doing here?

My mind started to wander and soon I found myself flooded with thoughts. I was mentally beating myself up for not making the proper changes in order to be happy. I was obviously depressed. Every Sunday was the same, every day of work was the same, every evening, morning, and minute was the same: lonely and repetitive. I started to feel anxiety take over when I asked myself one final question: “Am I so comfortable that I will do this the rest of my life?”. Tears started to flow.

I mustered up the guts to call a friend. I needed company and something to occupy my mind so that it wouldn’t consume me. I arrived at their house, still riddled with anxiety. My stomach was in knots, eyes were darting, and I was sweating more than I should have been. My mind wouldn’t shut up. “Are you going to spend the rest of your life here?” My breaths were deep but seemed to lack oxygen. I became dizzy and adrenaline shot through my veins like someone had drugged me. My friend asked “Are you okay? You look a little nerve-wrecked”. All of a sudden I felt extremely uncomfortable. I couldn’t drag my friend in this. I immediately grabbed my things and left the house. I couldn’t ask for shelter from my own thoughts. I was a ticking time bomb of self-mutilated emotion that was about to blow. Where was I to go if I couldn’t go to my friends?

Mostly cloudy mind with a chance of anxiety storms

I could feel my body start to break down as I ran to my car. An overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety took over as I drove myself to the only place of safety I could think of: the Emergency Room. By the time I ran through the double glass doors of the hospital my face was as red as a fire extinguisher and the knots in my stomach were tearing up my insides. The doctors could hear the difficulty in my breathing and took me to the back right away. I woke up 20 minutes later laying in a hospital bed with an IV stuck in my right arm. Unaccompanied in a curtained room, I heard only the voices of nurses fluttering by. There I was, alone again. Unsure what they gave me, the doctors released me after handing me various prescriptions for anxiety.

It was about 2:00am when I got home, my eyes were red and puffy and I climbed into my bed. Was this going to happen again next Sunday?

Monday Morning: I slipped into my office without anyone noticing and kept my sunglasses on so that no one would see my severely swollen eyes. I knew I couldn’t hide it for long. My boss peeked his head in and said, “Hey, ding-dong, take your sunglasses off. You look ridiculous”. I pulled them off and tried desperately not to look up, but it wasn’t enough to keep my boss quiet. 

As soon as he asked the dreaded question, “What’s wrong?”, I verbally blasted every thought that was on my mind at that moment. My god, I had no idea how depressed I was until it all started to pour out. My boss just stared at me, shocked. He phoned in the President and the three of us discussed my situation for almost 2 hours. My employers were like family and wanted me to be happy. The President announced he would give me 3 months pay up front to go and find happiness. The catch? I couldn’t come back. I’ll never forget the words from my boss that day. He said, “Brianna, you gotta go find what makes you happy because it’s obviously not here. Go to France! Maybe that makes you happy. You won’t know what it is until you go find it”.

I was given the afternoon off and went back the next day to get my big, generous check. What to do now? I drove home and stared at the ceiling again. What do you do when someone gives you time and money, the two things that no one ever has? I had no idea. I spent the afternoon at a coffee shop looking at job listings in Kansas City. It hadn’t hit me yet. I wandered in to a book store and found a spiral-bound book of driving maps for the United States. Suddenly it hit me. I bought the book and ran out of the store. I realized that I was given time, and I didn’t want to waste it. My money would run out eventually and I didn’t want to blow it staying where I started. I then went over to a sports equipment store and bought an expensive backpack. I didn’t know what the hell for, but I needed it. I planned to fill the backpack with some essentials and explore in search of enlightenment. 

The next week was spent planning amazing trips! I contacted friends in other states and reserved couches and spare beds. My sister was planning out her internship in Kansas City and offered to pay my rent while I was away in exchange for use of my apartment. Everything was falling into place. Over the next few months I ventured off to Chicago, St. Louis, Colorado Springs, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Every day was spent exploring and seeking what excited me. I started to realize my flexibility: I was not on a lease, I had no boyfriend, no pets, no job. Now was the time to change things!

Denver Skyline - Grass Is Always Greener

Denver won my heart after spending a few days with some friends downtown. I headed back to Kansas City and applied for jobs near the Rocky Mountains. I was still on a rush of excitement that I was really going to change things. I got a phone call from a potential employer in Denver and asked if I could come in for an interview that Thursday. I panicked a little thinking that a last minute plane ticket would affect my funds so I decided to drive out for the interview instead. It was a time consuming and expensive risk that I was willing to take. Sure enough, that Wednesday night I drove 8 hours to get to Denver for that fateful interview. He offered me the job on the spot. I accepted.

I anxiously boxed up my belonging and moved with great anticipation of starting fresh in Colorado. I’ve been living happily in Denver for almost three years now. My anxiety quickly disappeared and a sense of calmness has came over me. I’m finally in a place I can call home, found new activities that I love, and have met friends that will last a lifetime. I look back on my situation years ago and wonder what would have happened to me had I not listened to my own warning signs (and my boss’s advice).

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.

I have found that this proverb is often spoken to make people think that, in reality, other circumstances are often not as desirable as they may appear. People who are afraid of change try to discourage others from changing by explaining that the grass is not greener; it’s the same dull grass. Maybe they are comfortable and like their grass just the way it is. I am happy for those that can be content in any situation. I am, however, not one of those people. The point is, I don’t want to live my life trusting that all the grass in the world is the same color. I want to experience it myself. Maybe the grass is the same color, but what if the other side of the fence has grass covered in snow, or kittens chasing bugs, or a beautiful pond surrounded by wildflowers. Despite what people say, you may never know until you jump the fence.

Brianna Dean is an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for skiing. She grew up in Southern California and frequently moved as a child until she and her family settled in Kansas, much to her dismay. Feeling trapped and unfulfilled in a comfortable, mundane life, she packed up and moved to Colorado. Although she now calls Denver home, Brianna is currently spending the winter at the base of a mountain while working for a ski company. She enjoys biking, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and playing with her dog, Pali (who is named after a ski lift at Arapahoe Basin). When not working you will find her mastering a 360 at the terrain park, cooking vegetarian dinners, or discussing epic powder days at a dive bar.

Ten Ways To Overcome Your Fear of The Gym

By Matt Tucker

The gym (and its mirrors, spandex, and sweaty skin) can certainly be an intimidating place for those that are already self-conscious about their bodies. Nonetheless, you are paying the hefty monthly membership fee for a reason: to get fit. Don’t just shrink your wallet; get over your fear and embarrassment and start shrinking your waistline too.

Several people recently told me that they don’t go to their gym because they are scared or embarrassed. One friend said, “I need to lose ten pounds before I can work out at my gym.”

Ten Ways to Overcome Fear and Embarrassment at the Gym

1. Remind yourself why you are there: You signed up to lose 20 pounds before your wedding, look better naked, lose that stubborn baby weight, or help lower your cholesterol. When driving (or better yet – biking) to the gym, remind yourself why you are going there in the first place. What prompted you to join the gym?

2. Power in numbers: Workout with a friend. Meet your buddy at the gym so you have someone to talk to. It is always nice to have a familiar face in an uncomfortable place. Plus, you will be less likely to skip a session when someone is meeting you there.

3. Everyone is there for the same reason: Even the fittest people at the gym were beginners at one point. Your target weight may be months away, but the important thing is that you are taking the first step to achieving your goal.

4. Less staring eyes: If you are convinced that everyone is staring at your while you workout then avoid going when the gym is crowded. Ask a gym employee when are the busiest times of the day. When is your gym least crowded?

5. Rock out: Make a playlist with your favorite songs and listen to your mp3 player while you workout. Get lost in the music and forget about your embarrassment. Just try not to sing out loud when you are on the treadmill. It usually draws more attention. Occasional air guitar is fine.

6. DON’T compare yourself to others: Be realistic. If you are a 43 year old mother of two, don’t compare your thighs to the 19 year old college track and field star’s legs. However, if you are intrigued by a person’s rock-hard calves, don’t be afraid to ask what exercises they do. How else would you know that they go hiking three days a week outside the gym?

7. DO compare yourself to yourself: Ask a trainer at your gym to help you track your progress with measurements and regular body fat assessments. Better yet, how do your jeans fit? Are you less winded when you walk up a flight of stairs? Notice small improvements and write them down.

8. Stay Classy: Check out a group class designed for beginners. You will probably see other people just like you. If the pace is right, jump in and sign up.  Consider a yoga class.  Read Alicia Parks article “Getting Back To The Yoga Mat”. 

9. Money doesn’t buy happiness: But it does buy some really cool workout clothes that you can wear with confidence. Spandex pants and over-sized T-shirts aren’t the most flattering. Invest in a few new items that make you smile when you look in the mirror. Check out www.lucy.com for excellent women’s yoga, running, and fitness activewear.

10. Forget about it: Fear of embarrassment is usually worse than embarrassment itself. The first few trips to the gym may be tough, but the fear will wear off quickly. Chances are the fear will vanish after a few workouts. Just know that each potentially embarrassing workout is moving you one step closer to your goal.

What have you done to feel more comfortable when working out?

More articles by Matt Tucker

Burn More Calories By “Sweating” The Small Stuff

Your Fitness Program’s Worst Enemy

Get Out Of The Rut And Back Into Your Favorite Jeans

New Years Resolutions Are A Waste Of Time

 

By Lora Erickson, B.S,CES, CPT

www.blonderunner.com

Many runners will tell you that the half marathon is the perfect race distance. It’s long enough for a challenge, but short enough to allow a much quicker recovery than completing a full marathon.  However, half marathons take more preparation time than a 5K or 10K, so it is important to keep some things in mind when you are training for one. 

Take time to get in shape: It is not wise to enter a race out of shape, and let’s face it, you can really hurt yourself.  Running a race unprepared is rarely enjoyable and might prove to be a downright horrible experience souring your feelings towards ever doing one again.  To avoid this, take the time to get in shape so it will be a great experience that you will want to repeat again.    

Training correctly for a half marathon usually takes a number of months; so you can properly build your mileage gradually over time to prevent injury.  You’ll find that the average program takes 3 to 5 months to complete even when starting it in pretty good shape (running about 15 miles a week consistently).

Prevent injury with the 10% rule: Follow the standard rule increasing 10% of your mileage each week and taking an easy week every three weeks.  Allow enough weeks to run one or two long runs consisting of 14 or 15 miles each.  This way you will go into the race confident that you can complete the distance.  Make sure to incorporate speed work, cross training and strengthening exercises into your routine to keep you strong and injury free.     

Train for the race route terrain:  Nearly all races have the race route available in advance for you to review and adapt your training.  Are there some considerable hills?  If so, you will want to add hill repeats into your training plan.  Will you be running on loose gravel, a trail, sand, grass or mostly pavement?  Most likely there will be a variety of terrain; practice on various surfaces. This may also effect what shoes you race and train with.  You may need to consider altitude differences and add in some high altitude training sessions.

Create a race plan or strategy:  Too often runners go into races with no plan in place; no race strategy.  Even if you are not out to win it, you should still have a plan.  The plan should include pace variables, and a re-hydration/glucose strategy.  Plan out how much water and electrolyte fluid you need to consume at each water stop.  Study the map and learn where the water stops will be and what type of carbohydrate sources may be offered.  Then practice with the same brand at the same intervals to see how your body tolerates it. Nothing is worse than having to stop and go to the
restroom in the middle of a race.  Having a plan can also help prevent you for “running out of gas” or “hitting the wall.” 

Run your own race:  In college, my coaches would often tell me to run my own race, which means to go the pace that I have trained for and not get caught up in the “race,” starting out too fast. It’s important to know your pace and stick to it, follow a plan. 

By varying your terrain and taking the time to train properly you will find that your half marathon experience will prove to be much more enjoyable.   

Lora Erickson is a competitive runner and triathlete with over 24 years of experience.  As one of Colorado’s top distance runners, she was heavily recruited by various colleges throughout the US. She graduated from Utah State University where she was honored as an all-conference runner.   She is the owner of Blonde Runner Health LLC  in Bountiful, Utah where she currently resides with her husband and four children and has been coaching since 1996.  She has a true passion for health promotion and welcomes questions and comments. Contact her directly at lora@blonderunner.com or visit www.blonderunner.com for more information on services available.

By Chris Mc Loone

Lessons Learned While Slaying Dragons With My Son

I’ve found that walks in the woods provide me with more knowledge of dragons than I ever thought possible. Today, as my son Owen and I made our way through his favorite woods, he discovered a rusted caulk gun. He asked me what it was, and I told him, and followed it up with my attempt at an explanation of what it was and how it works, and I failed at it. Turns out I’m not a very good explainer. It kind of bothers me at times, especially when he asks me what words mean. He stumps me every time, and they are simple words. I guess I’ll just live with not being a good explainer at the moment. Maybe I’ll lead by example or something.

So we’re walking through the woods and Owen’s got a hold of the caulk gun, and, to him, it’s treasure. And you never know when you might need something like a caulk gun to take care of some serious business—like finishing off a dragon.

We found the dragon, disguised as a fallen, rotten tree, in the middle of the woods. Owen saw through the disguise immediately and began gutting the dragon straight away. He made quick work of it all with his newfound caulk gun. It’s astounding how handy a caulk gun can be when you’re finishing off a dragon. Now, I’ve fought dragons in the woods with Owen before. The last one was already dead, and I did not know I was reslaying an already slain dragon. Today though, when I told him I thought the dragon was already dead, he exclaimed, “Dragons don’t die unless you take them apart.” And take this one apart he did. At one point he told me he found the dragon’s heart. He took it out and showed it to me. He also found its brain. “Hard as a rock,” he reported. Then he found another heart later. I told him he had already found one, but he informed me this particular dead dragon disguised as a fallen, rotten tree that really wasn’t dead yet since it was in one piece has two hearts. “You touched them with your bare hands,” I said. “That’s gross.” Owen looked up at me, a little winded from all the hard work of disemboweling a dragon with a rusted caulk gun and said, “I’m a man. I have to be gross.” I had no idea grossology was part of manhood. The things you’ll learn in the woods slaying dragons that are not dead yet since they are still in one piece, disguised as fallen, rotten trees.

Dragons from memories past.

I went to my high school recently, for an alumni day celebration. I went to a seminary for high school, and I lived away from home, and it was probably, short of getting married and becoming a father, the richest experience of my life. It has nothing to do with seminary studies or God or anything. I’ve often thought that when I finally sit down and write a story, it’s going to be about St. Joe’s. I don’t think anything has impacted my life the way it has. The memories I have of the place are clear and many. I saw people I have not seen in many, many years yesterday, and as cliché as it sounds, it was as if not a day had gone by. Sure, there was catching up to do, but there was no loss for words like you have so many times with people you’ve not seen in years. It’s the bond we all have from that place. We slept in dormitories of 40 beds and lockers. So, basically we slept together, we ate together, we took classes, and we got into mischief together. It’s an odd bond that I can’t quite explain, but even the men who traveled to Princeton who weren’t from my era shared that bond with me, though theirs was more from a bygone era.

I got to show my kids that place yesterday. But it wasn’t the same place. One wing (we referred to it as “the other side…” but really, “the other side” meant the opposite side of wherever you were) was completely closed off. They could have unlocked it for us, just so we could wander around. It’s not like we’re going to steal anything. The student lounge, once one large room has been made into two. The senior study hall, the size of the student lounge, also has been divided into two rooms. The dining room (or refectory) has the same smell. The same exact smell, and it’s 18 years later for me. The vestibules also, the same smells, and indeed, the gym (which we sneaked into) smelled exactly the same. I showed my wife the gouge in the floor in front of the foul line I used to use to set myself up for foul shots. I’m not quite sure what I did when we switched ends of the court or went to away games. I suppose my free throw percentage went into the toilet at those times.

When you return to a place that has a special place in your heart the way St. Joe’s does for me, it takes you back to a different time. It was a simpler time for me, and I long for it.

Believe me there’s a point to all this, and I do plan to get to it soon, but one more anecdote if you’ll indulge me.

Dragons from friendships past.

I am a volunteer fireman. I’m supposed to say firefighter, but I’m a fireman. In any event, for the past five years I’ve been a Lieutenant, holding two separate positions–2nd Lt., and 1st Lt. This year I’ve been nominated for captain (this is a volunteer fire company, and officers are nominated and elected) and I was nominated to run against my friend. Well, I suppose he’s a friend. He was a mentor to me very early in my career as a vollie. He was in my wedding. I would say that in recent years, as he moved up through the ranks, eventually to assistant chief, we have grown apart as firefighters, which has stressed our friendship. We rarely see eye to eye on policies, procedures, etc. Originally I told Wally I would not run against him for captain. I figured I wasn’t going to run against my friend, and while I disagreed with his moving down from assistant chief to captain, thus not allowing me to move up to captain from lieutenant, I thought was a nice gesture to let him ride out his time as he saw fit.

But then quite honestly, he did several things which made me reconsider that notion, and ultimately, my feeling is the crew would like a choice and so I told him I was going to run for captain, he got up and walked away without a word, save for “OK,” and proceeded to call me a hypocrite via his Facebook status and then defriended me—for real. Seriously, we’re adults.

I suppose I knew this was coming for quite some time, given his personality.

So what is the tie-in? Let me take a sip of my PBR and I promise to get to it.

We all have dragons, whether they are our pasts creeping up on us from time to time to remind us how easy things were or difficult decisions today that remind us just how hard things get as we all get older. I’m a Roman Catholic, which is not exactly a popular thing to be these days given the abuse scandals, and today I was at Church. I don’t pretend to be particularly religious or spiritual, even with my seminary background, but at Church today, the homilist said to the congregation to be grateful for today, because tomorrow, you can’t get today back.

“Be grateful for today, because tomorrow, you can’t get today back.”

Kill your dragons. We all have them. And make sure they are dead. Because a dragon’s not dead until you take it apart. It’s amazing how a dragon can creep up on you after you thought you slayed it. I know I sit there and think, “Damn, I’m sure I killed it. I know I did. It was dead.” Be a man and be gross—kill the dragon. Because when you don’t take the dragons apart, you end up losing days upon days when they creep up, making it impossible for you to be grateful for today.

So I’m going to wake up tomorrow, and, although a 16 year friendship appears to be in the toilet, I’m going to be grateful for it. Why? Well, because I’m a hypochondriac and any day I wake up is a bonus for me.