Jun

13

The Runner’s High

Filed Under News, Quote, Running | Leave a Comment

Most distance runners have felt the awesome feeling of euphoria after a hard workout. This feeling has been aptly named ‘the runner’s high’. This New York Times article tells about the science behind the feeling.

In the article it says that endorphins, pain suppressing chemicals released by the brain and spinal cord, are attaching themselves to the emotion affecting parts of the brain. This causes mood change and is responsible for the ‘high’ you get after running.

According to another follow-up study, runners have a higher pain tolerance than non-athletes. This is supposedly because of the release of endorphins.

Many people run to keep a clear mind, and I can attest to this. Running will make you a happier and less stressed person.

“Running is one the best solutions to a clear mind.”

- Sasha Azevedo

To all of you curious runners, go get high on running

Jun

9

Day Dreamers

Filed Under Quote, Running, Training | Leave a Comment

Setting goals is an important part of running. Any runner should have goals that they want to reach whether they run for competition, for fitness, or for fun.

An article I read recently on setting goals (found here) had some excellent tips for goal setting. I have copied the main points of the article below.

  1. Set specific and measurable goals.
  2. Set goals that are challenging yet achievable.
  3. The fitter you already are, the less you will improve.
  4. Do not expect quick results.
  5. State your goal in terms of performance rather than outcome.

This is some excellent advice, but they forgot to mention in the article to write your goals down. If you do not write them down they will be easily forgotten and not completed.

After setting your goals, follow them through to the end! If you set your goals and do not follow them through, your goals will not be effective. All it is is common sense!

Here is a quote about dreams:

“Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that all was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, and make it possible.”

-T.E. Lawrence

Please curious runners, set goals and achieve the impossible. Dream with your eyes open.

Jun

2

Triathlon Training

Filed Under Miscellaneous, News, Running, Training | 1 Comment

For peak performance, 3 is not better than 1

This is an interesting article from the New York Times about training for triathlons. The article discusses the pros and cons of training for 3 different sports at the same time.

May

30

Remain Curious

Filed Under Miscellaneous, Quote, Running | Leave a Comment

In my first two years of middle school I was not that great of an athlete. I played on the tennis team and I tried other sports but did not excel in them. Two of my three brothers ran track and cross country when they went to school so I decided to give running a shot.

When the first day of track came my eighth grade year we had time trials to see where we were at. I was not much of a sprinter so I decided to try distance. I got a personal record of 6:37 in the mile from a previous 7:20! Track would be awesome! Already I could see that it helped me compete while bringing out the best of me and I was in the top 5 milers on the team. I continued with track all the way to districts and got a time of 5:53.

During the Summer after middle school, I attended the Remain Curious Cross Country Camp. This camp was what made me love running as much as I do now. At this camp I received the best advice any runner can or will ever get:

“Remain curious of what you can do.”

-Tracy Harris

To remain curious means to push your limits, to run further than you ever have, to not wait for an opportunity, but to reach out and grab it yourself. If you remain curious, your potential can be whatever you dream.

For all of you runners out there, please remain curious and do something that has never been done.

← Previous Page

    • Jacob Taylor at the Bob Firman Invitational 2007

  • About

      This is my blog where I write about running, training, races, and anything else running related. Because I run for Mountain View High School I may write about my team and opposing teams in the Treasure Valley. Everything written in this blog is my personal opinion and does not reflect the views of my coaches, my teammates, or my school.