tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post116640745446712541..comments2024-02-11T00:54:20.373-08:00Comments on A Trail Runner's Blog: The "Breakout Principle" and Trail RunningScott Dunlaphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166659745416059122006-12-20T16:09:00.000-08:002006-12-20T16:09:00.000-08:00I can definitely relate to what that book says. I'...I can definitely relate to what that book says. I've found that after school (I'm only in high school, so I don't have a job yet) I feel really drained from all the teachers yabbering. But then I go for my run, and my brain just feels so much better, and I get things done way more efficiently than any other time.<BR/><BR/>http://ultramarathonrunner.blogspot.com/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166560479263249782006-12-19T12:34:00.000-08:002006-12-19T12:34:00.000-08:00This is very interesting. Does this imply that sho...This is very interesting. Does this imply that shorter distance running is better for reaching a creative peak than long distance running? I couldn't tell by your quote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166550616061981322006-12-19T09:50:00.000-08:002006-12-19T09:50:00.000-08:00I have run at Huddart ... however for me nothing t...I have run at Huddart ... however for me nothing tops running at Forest Park. <BR/>The lush forest, free access, trailside berry patches, wonderful variety of trails, incredible amount of trails (>75 miles including some pedestrian-only), and sparse visitors make it idyllic as far as I'm concerned.<BR/><BR/>Earlier this year I was ramping up my trail running miles and doing a 13.5 mile run along a trail there, which would set a personal best for the year and probably my life (I contend with a variety of injuries that are a barrier to longer distances). I was at about mile 10, not doing bad, but getting a little tired when I noticed a brass plaque embedded in a rock low along the trail. I had been by this section before but never noticed it. I stopped and read it: <BR/><BR/> "Be Free Where You Are" -- Thich Nhat Hanh<BR/><BR/>and I was bowled over... this was such a perfect message for me at that moment... I smiled as it felt like I was totally free. I practically floated down the trail, totally appreciative of whomever put the message there and all the ramifications of taking those words to heart. <BR/><BR/>Trail running this year has made all the difference in my life... I'm am so much more balanced in every aspect of my life when I can do a few trail runs a week. The breakout principle may have inspired me at times, but the hardest part is getting to the trail when work has a big commute element, or when people in your life are suffering and need lots of loving attention. <BR/><BR/>randAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166538104439642572006-12-19T06:21:00.000-08:002006-12-19T06:21:00.000-08:00Hi Scott,I didn't know there was science behind wa...Hi Scott,<BR/><BR/>I didn't know there was science behind walking and getting ideas. Its absolutely true. I often walk back and forth like a hamster pacing around its cage and I come up with solutions to problems I have with work, domesticity,blah blah...That's when i decide...yes I'll write this particular line...<BR/><BR/>Great obeservation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166488614424260042006-12-18T16:36:00.000-08:002006-12-18T16:36:00.000-08:00Hi Scott,Long time reader, first time responder. ...Hi Scott,<BR/><BR/>Long time reader, first time responder. Love your blog! And thank you for this post. After reading it, I felt compelled to share a recent experience that relates to this concept (I think). <BR/><BR/>A couple of months ago, I moved to a new place, and I had to do it largely by myself. The night before the move I was standing in my apartment, staring at a pile of boxes, and wondering how I was going to do it. I felt completely overwhelmed.<BR/><BR/>I had to get away and went for my run. About a mile in, this odd feeling of warmth and calm came over me. I am not sure what triggered it, be it the run itself, the cool, quiet evening, or the combination of both, but I started feeling energized, and began to develop a sense that everything would be OK. I felt strong, running faster and faster, and was incredibly emotional afterwards. The run was an absolute gift. <BR/><BR/>When I got back into my apartment, I had a completely new outlook. For some reason, the prospect of moving didn't seem so bad, now (and it wasn't...I got everything moved in half the time I thoguht it would take me!). When I read your description of the four stages of the relaxation response, I could picture them in my experience.<BR/><BR/>Anyhow, thanks for letting me share, and keep up the fantastic work. I am continually inspired by the things I read here.<BR/><BR/>Kind regards,<BR/><BR/>Jean in MNAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166479740597717242006-12-18T14:09:00.000-08:002006-12-18T14:09:00.000-08:00I would be happy to share my work situation in hop...I would be happy to share my work situation in hopes it might help. <BR/><BR/>I love working in the high tech industry because it changes so fast. But I would often fall in love with a company/concept and take a job, only later to find out that the work culture was brutal. Since I regarded work as work, and life as "the rest", it didn't even dawn on me to ask questions during the interview about how a job might help me achieve better life balance. To no surprise, 90-hour work weeks with regaular 2am calls from assholes became my life. It was my own fault.<BR/><BR/>After I quit that job, I started asking the right questions in 2003, and got a job at Avolent. Really nice people who still loved a tough mental challenge. They also loved the fact that I was a trail running fool, and would often modify my work travel schedule to help me hit races I wanted to do. Can you believe that? I returned the favor by being respectful of the life goals of my co-workers, and kicking in to cover for others when it made sense. Our work relationship was based on trust and communication - I didn't even know that was possible in Silicon Valley.<BR/><BR/>I ended up taking the example to the extreme with NearbyNow a few years later. We started a company in a growing field, and built the blueprint for company culture from scratch. Why not start a company that is respectful of life balance, fill it with the right people, make it "family friendly", and lead by example? If Avolent proved anything, the company could be far more productive than any sweat shop.<BR/><BR/>It turns out to be right. With less than a dozen employees, NearbyNow has created more value than I ever thought possible in a start-up. Plus it's a lot of fun to work here. Many of us still work crazy hours sometimes, but not because it's forced on us by crazy deadlines - it's because it's what we love to do, and being creative here helps balance out our lives.<BR/><BR/>When I've shared this with others, some of them had gone back to their existing bosses and asked important questions about life balance. Much to their surprise, their boss would say "perhaps you could have more time with your kids if you can come in at 10am every day - just keep the great work coming, and I have no issue with that". If you are performing well for your company, just ask - you might actually get it!<BR/><BR/>Hope that helps...<BR/><BR/>SDScott Dunlaphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16096284778835123584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860166.post-1166478126476664132006-12-18T13:42:00.000-08:002006-12-18T13:42:00.000-08:00The best time to handle stress is when there is li...The best time to handle stress is when there is little stress in your life, or your perception of feeling stressed.<BR/><BR/>Of course most of us tend to try and deal with it when it crops up on us unexpected, but then it is an uphill struggle.<BR/><BR/>Your running helps your stress levels before it crops up on you.Chances are you will feel less than others, but when life does become difficult, you are much stronger than most of us to deal with it.<BR/>I respect anyone who chooses their life that way.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.icslearn.org" REL="nofollow">ICS</A>breakdownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15455193914044264105noreply@blogger.com