I run because pain is an acquired taste..

A friend of mine once said, 'running is like walking, only faster.' If only it were that easy.

Running is just tough. It is one of the toughest things you can do. Every foot strike is a knockout blow generating 3-5 times your bodyweight in impact force.

You've got Mike Tyson sticking you with a haymaker every time your foot hits the ground which happens about 150-180 times per minute of running.

There are things you can do to make it a bit easier, but the act of running simply is traumatic at times. Boxers strap on gloves, runners strap on shoes with thick, cushioned midsoles. Either way, you still feel the impact. You still feel the pain.

Discomfort and pain is part of the deal. Fortunately, I never (until now) put it to my runners this bluntly. No one would sign up for my programs if I did. Maybe they won't now.

To be a runner you have to get to a point where you embrace the discomfort and pain...or at least reconcile yourself to the reality of it. As crazy as it may sound, this is a good thing.

It is a good thing because some of the most transcendent and life affirming moments one can experience in running involve enduring, overcoming, and conquering pain.

To fight through fatigue, discomfort, and pain is in many respects what running is all about. It is also what succeeding in life is not infrequently about.

Life is about persevering despite loss, despite fatigue, despite despair, and despite fear of the unknown.

Life is also about those all too transitory, all too ephemeral moments of bliss, the personal bests, the medals, and the glory.

Sadly, you can't have the bliss without the pain. You can try avoiding it, you can try numbing it, you can try muffling it, but it is still there. Eventually, you must overcome it.

The thing about developing a taste (or tolerance) for pain is it makes it easier to manage the next time you come face to face with it which inevitably will happen. It is not a question of if, but when.

So, I run because it makes me tougher. It makes me more resistant to pain. I run because pain is an acquired taste.




Sent from my iPhone

Epic Summer Run # 1 Cheat Sheet (7ish)

-Launch from the ball field in Julius Kahn Park and head uphill
-Bang a quick right onto Ecology Trail. 
-Follow Ecology Trail downhill until it dead ends behind the Presidio Inn at the parking lot. 
-Head STRAIGHT down Funston and turn LEFT on Lincoln (get on the sidewalk on the RIGHT side of Lincoln).
-Follow Lincoln behind the Walt Disney Museum and past the cemetery until you reach the point where the bike path veers right (and downhill). 
-Turn around and head back on Lincoln towards the Presidio.
-Turn RIGHT onto Montgomery and run in front of the Walt Disney Museum. 
-Follow Montgomery until you hit Moraga. 
-Turn LEFT on Moraga and head down a little flight of stairs just past the Presidio Inn and connect with Fernandez Street (there are signs at the bottom of the stairs).
-Follow Fernandez (it turns into Macarthur Ave after not too long) and then turn RIGHT to head up Lover's Lane. 
-Follow Lover's Lane until you see a sign for 'Liggett Ave'. Veer LEFT onto the dirt trail to connect to the 'wood line' portion of the trail.
-Follow the wood line trail all the way to the top and then turn right back onto the dirt trail and head back to Julius Kahn Park where the run starte.
-Make a pit stop at the restrooms/water fountain by the playground if you need to before continuing for the second part of your run. 
-Continue on the dirt trail towards Arguello. Turn right on Arguello. 
-Shortly after turning right you will cross the street and veer left onto Bay Area Ridge Trail.
-Continue on Bay Area Ridge Trail (again...look for signs and flour markings).
-You'll follow Bay Area Ridge Trail across Park Avenue. Roughly a 1/4 mile later look for flour markings on your RIGHT and continue following Bay Area Ridge Trail to Rob Hill Campground (it will be on your left). 
-At Rob Hill Campground, run on the paved path for a brief stretch and turn LEFT onto Washington Boulevard. 
-Run along Washington for 1/10th of a mile and cross over to Immigrant Point Overlook for an EPIC view! Turn around and head back the way you came until you reach our starting point at Julius Kahn Park!

Epic Summer Run # 1 Cheat Sheet (3ish)

-Launch from the ball field in Julius Kahn Park and head uphill
-Bang a quick right onto Ecology Trail. 
-Follow Ecology Trail downhill until it dead ends behind the Presidio Inn at the parking lot. 
-Head STRAIGHT down Funston and turn LEFT on Lincoln (get on the sidewalk on the RIGHT side of Lincoln).
-Follow Lincoln behind the Walt Disney Museum and past the cemetery until you reach the point where the bike path veers right (and downhill). 
-Turn around and head back on Lincoln towards the Presidio.
-Turn RIGHT onto Montgomery and run in front of the Walt Disney Museum. 
-Follow Montgomery until you hit Moraga. 
-Turn LEFT on Moraga and head down a little flight of stairs just past the Presidio Inn and connect with Fernandez Street (there are signs at the bottom of the stairs).
-Follow Fernandez (it turns into Macarthur Ave after not too long) and then turn RIGHT to head up Lover's Lane. 
-Follow Lover's Lane until you see a sign for 'Liggett Ave'. Veer LEFT onto the dirt trail to connect to the 'wood line' portion of the trail.
-Follow the wood line trail all the way to the top and then turn right back onto the dirt trail and head back to Julius Kahn Park where the run started!

Epic Summer Run #1 (7ish miles) Course Map & Description

The course will be well marked with flour on the trails and chalk (look for 'E' and arrows indicating direction) on the paved portions. Keep your eyes peeled! I'd generally discourage listening to music during the run.

Epic Summer Run #1 (7ish miles) Course Map

The Epic Summer Run #1 launches from the ball field in Julius Kahn Park. We'll head uphill and bang a quick right onto Ecology Trail. 

At .35 miles into the run your first opportunity for an EPIC view presents itself. There's a small set of stairs to the LEFT you can climb up to get to 'Inspiration Point'! Take in the incredible view (if you like), climb back down and continue running along Ecology Trail.
 
Continue following Ecology Trail downhill until it dead ends behind the Presidio Inn at the parking lot. From here, you'll head STRAIGHT down Funston and turn LEFT on Lincoln (get on the sidewalk on the RIGHT side of Lincoln).

You'll follow Lincoln behind the Walt Disney Museum and past the cemetery until you reach the point where the bike path veers right (and downhill). This will be another 'Epic' view spot of the bridge, Crissy Field, etc. It also marks the spot where you will turn around and head back on Lincoln towards the Presidio.

Head back on Lincoln and turn RIGHT onto Montgomery. Follow Montgomery until you hit Moraga. Turn LEFT on Moraga and run towards the Presidio Inn. Rather than turn right into the parking lot, you'll head down a little flight of stairs and connect with Fernandez Street (there are signs at the bottom of the stairs).

Simply follow Fernandez (it turns into Macarthur Ave after not too long) and then turn RIGHT to head up Lover's Lane. You'll follow Lover's Lane until you see a sign for 'Liggett Ave'. Veer LEFT onto the dirt trail to connect to the 'wood line' portion of the trail.

Follow the wood line trail all the way to the top and then turn right back onto the dirt trail and head back to Julius Kahn Park where the run started.

Make a pit stop at the restrooms/water fountain by the playground if you need to before continuing for the second part of your run. 

Continue on the dirt trail towards Arguello. Turn right on Arguello. Shortly after turning right you will cross the street and veer left onto Bay Area Ridge Trail. Look for chalk and flour markings.

Run on Bay Area Ridge Trail and look to your right. You will see an amazing 'spire'. Feel free to stop and take a look (and a pic or two). Continue on Bay Area Ridge Trail (again...look for signs and flour markings).

You'll follow Bay Area Ridge Trail across Park Avenue. Roughly a 1/4 mile later look for flour markings on your RIGHT and continue following Bay Area Ridge Trail to Rob Hill Campground (it will be on your left). At Rob Hill Campground, run on the paved path for a brief stretch and turn LEFT onto Washington Boulevard. 

Run along Washington for 1/10th of a mile and cross over to Immigrant Point Overlook for an EPIC view! Turn around and head back the way you came until you reach our starting point at Julius Kahn Park!

Epic Summer Run #1 (3ish miles) Course Map & Description

 The course will be well marked with flour on the trails and chalk (look for 'E' and arrows indicating direction) on the paved portions. Keep your eyes peeled! I'd generally discourage listening to music during the run.

Epic Summer Run #1 (3ish miles) Course Map

The Epic Summer Run #1 launches from the ball field in Julius Kahn Park. We'll head uphill and bang a quick right onto Ecology Trail. 

At .35 miles into the run your first opportunity for an EPIC view presents itself. There's a small set of stairs to the LEFT you can climb up to get to 'Inspiration Point'! Take in the incredible view (if you like), climb back down and continue running along Ecology Trail.
 
Continue following Ecology Trail downhill until it dead ends behind the Presidio Inn at the parking lot. From here, you'll head STRAIGHT down Funston and turn LEFT on Lincoln (get on the sidewalk on the RIGHT side of Lincoln).

You'll follow Lincoln behind the Walt Disney Museum and past the cemetery until you reach the point where the bike path veers right (and downhill). This will be another 'Epic' view spot of the bridge, Crissy Field, etc. It also marks the spot where you will turn around and head back on Lincoln towards the Presidio.

Head back on Lincoln and turn RIGHT onto Montgomery. Follow Montgomery until you hit Moraga. Turn LEFT on Moraga and run towards the Presidio Inn. Rather than turn right into the parking lot, you'll head down a little flight of stairs and connect with Fernandez Street (there are signs at the bottom of the stairs).

Simply follow Fernandez (it turns into Macarthur Ave after not too long) and then turn RIGHT to head up Lover's Lane. You'll follow Lover's Lane until you see a sign for 'Liggett Ave'. Veer LEFT onto the dirt trail to connect to the 'wood line' portion of the trail.

Follow the wood line trail all the way to the top and then turn right back onto the dirt trail and head back to Julius Kahn Park where the run started! CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE EPIC!!

Wednesday Ferry Building Route (4-7 miles)

Wednesday's run launches from in front of the Ferry Building. We'll cover 4-7 miles depending upon your training level. Here's a link to the course map-

Wednesday Ferry Building Run

Run along the Embarcadero past the Ferry Building. Be careful as it can get a bit crowded around lunch.

Follow the Embarcadero. When you reach Embarcadero/Green, you will have logged .5 miles. Continue running along the Embarcadero.

A half mile later, you will reach the intersection of Embarcadero/Bay. Look for the Hillstone Restaurant on the LEFT side of the Embarcadero. This is 1 miles

Continue running into Fisherman's Wharf as Embarcadero turns into ‘Jefferson’. Run along Jefferson to the intersection of Jefferson/Powell. This is a controlled intersection with stoplights. This is 1.5 miles.

Continue running through Fisherman’s Wharf right to the edge of Aquatic Park. Once you reach the cul-de-sac at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf/Aquatic Park, you’ve logged 2 miles. Beginner level runners will turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for 4 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running through Aquatic Park and veer RIGHT towards Fort Mason Hill. Head all the way up Fort Mason Hill. Upon cresting Fort Mason Hill, Intermediate runners will turn around and head back to the Ferry Building for 5 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners will continue down the other side of Fort Mason Hill and continue running along Marina Boulevard until you reach the Marina Green Monkey Bars adjacent to the intersection of Marina/Webster. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for 6 MILES! 

Race level runners will continue running for another half a mile until you reach the intersection of Marina/Broderick. This is 3.5 miles. Turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for a total of 7 MILES!

I run because I need to escape...

Most days start with glancing at a daunting 'to do' list. This is usually followed by skimming through a seemingly endless parade of unread emails.

A cup of coffee might inspire me to actually respond to some of said emails. But, usually I need two cups to get the pistons firing.

What unfolds for the next few hours is a frenzy of activity including responding to and sending emails, fielding a few calls, a multitude of social media posts, crafting the next email newsletter, and doing whatever I can to keep things rolling.

I had no real idea what I was getting into when I started my own business. I simply wanted to share my love of running with others. I learned the reality of being a business owner quickly.

I don't have any kids, but my experience owning and operating my own business is an experience that feels comparable in many regards.

It is a 24/7 job. It never ends. If you don't feed it, it starves. If you don't nurture it, it dies. You worry about it constantly.

You do whatever you can to help it succeed. When there's a win, it is HUGE. When there's a loss, it can be devastating.

You find yourself wondering constantly if you're doing a good job, wondering what you can do better, and wondering what you are NOT doing that could make it healthier and happier.

Given the all consuming nature of running a business, it is not easy to disconnect, detach, and let go. Sometimes, it feels impossible to do so.

A few years ago, I went to Turkey and knew I would be off the grid for more than two weeks. The process of preparing for this was inordinately stressful.

Only when I got on the plane and literally left my business behind me could I exhale, inhale, and repeat.

This is not to say it wasn't on my mind. But, it wasn't at the front of my mind. It wasn't consuming all facets of my mind.

I don't get to take too many vacations like the one I did to Turkey. But, the need to escape is one that can't be ignored.

Sometimes, I can escape by watching a movie. Sometimes, escape comes in the form of a nice glass of Pinot Noir.

But, the best escape I know of is right outside my front door. Just a few steps later, a weight is lifted. A few deep breaths and the beast of burden releases its grasp.

After a few miles, I have escaped. I am somewhere else. Whether it is familiar or foreign, I have been transported.

Slow or fast. Long or short. Running provides an escape from the seemingly countless professional challenges that ebb and flow, but never end.

Despite the fact that I love my 'kid', he drives me crazy sometimes. So, I run because I need an escape....

Sunday Long Run Description (6/15/2014)

We have yet another change of scenery on Sunday with a visit to Lake Merced.

Sunday’s Lake Merced Run!

We are meeting on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Specifically, we are meeting at the HUGE parking lot on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced.

Here's a map link that should help you get oriented- North Side of Lake Merced.

This run is pretty straightforward. EVERYONE will do a full loop around the circumference of Lake Merced in a clockwise direction. There is a path that runs all the way around Lake Merced, so this should be manageable for everybody.

Roughly halfway through the loop around Lake Merced (2-2.5 miles), there is a port-a-potty and a couple water fountains if you need to make a pit stop.

After 2-2.5 miles, there is a decent stretch where you will be running slightly uphill, so pace yourself accordingly.

After completing a full loop of Lake Merced, you will have logged 4.5 MILES. Once you've finished a full loop around Lake Merced, head NORTH on Sunset Boulevard There is a path that runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard on the LEFT. This is where you want to run.

Continue running up Sunset past this intersection. Roughly half a mile later you will arrive at the intersection of Sunset & Quintara. Beginner level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 7 MILES!
 
The cross streets are 'roughly' alphabetical so pay close attention to the cross streets as you are running. Continue running up Sunset Boulevard until you reach the intersection of Sunset & Moraga. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 8 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running up Sunset to the intersection of Sunset & Irving. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 9 MILES!

Race level runners will continue running on Sunset towards Golden Gate Park. Eventually Sunset runs underneath an overpass (this is Lincoln you are running underneath) and right into Martin Luther King.

Take a LEFT on Martin Luther King and run to the intersection of Martin Luther King & Chain of Lakes Drive East Turn around here and head back to Lake Merced for 10 MILES!

Wednesday Ferry Building Route (3-6 miles)

Wednesday's run launches from in front of the Ferry Building. We'll cover 3-6 miles depending upon your training level. Here's a link to the course map-

Wednesday Ferry Building Run

Run along the Embarcadero past the Ferry Building. Be careful as it can get a bit crowded around lunch.

Follow the Embarcadero. When you reach Embarcadero/Green, you will have logged .5 miles. Continue running along the Embarcadero.

A half mile later, you will reach the intersection of Embarcadero/Bay. Look for the Hillstone Restaurant on the LEFT side of the Embarcadero. This is 1 miles

Continue running into Fisherman's Wharf as Embarcadero turns into ‘Jefferson’. Run along Jefferson to the intersection of Jefferson/Powell. This is a controlled intersection with stoplights. This is 1.5 miles. Beginner runners will turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for 3 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running through Fisherman’s Wharf right to the edge of Aquatic Park. Once you reach the cul-de-sac at the edge of Fisherman’s Wharf/Aquatic Park, you’ve logged 2 miles. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for 4 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners will continue running through Aquatic Park and veer RIGHT towards Fort Mason Hill. Head all the way up Fort Mason Hill. Upon cresting Fort Mason Hill, Advanced runners will turn around and head back to the Ferry Building for 5 MILES!

Race level runners will continue down the other side of Fort Mason Hill and continue running along Marina Boulevard until you reach the Marina Green Monkey Bars adjacent to the intersection of Marina/Webster. Turn around here and head back to the Ferry Building for 6 MILES!