Motivation. It’s absolutely critical to an ultrarunner. Anybody can pound the pavement for a few miles ‘just to get it done’ – but when you’re talking about spending 30, 40, 50 or more miles – and many hours – alone with your thoughts, you must be in a super-positive headspace to continue.

Ultra running to me is 90 percent mental. The other 10 percent is all in our heads! - Ray Zahab, Extreme Endurance Runner

Motivation. If you talk to a runner long enough, it’s bound to come up as a topic of conversation - how to get it, how to inspire it in others, how to find it when you lose it, how to internalize it. For those of us who use our running talents to benefit social causes, there’s another important driver of motivation – genuine passion for the causes and commitment to the people for whom we serve – a dedication to serving and advancing a cause or idea ‘bigger than ourselves. Even if the run itself is a solo event – the runner is a small part of a larger team effort, unified by a common vision and purpose. The run itself is a bonding experience; a unique camaraderie develops because of the demanding requirements to successfully finish an ultramarathon.

I’m not feelin’ it – the passion or the camaraderie. “The thrill is gone”, as BB King reminds me.  But that doesn't mean the event goes away. I’m deeply concerned that when I hit the physiological wall, instead of pressing through it, I will ask myself, “Why am I working so damn hard?”

And then…Simply... Stop.

2011 Dolphin Dash Halfway Point

ACS Executive Directory Cheryl McCormick is approaching the halfway point of the 2011 Dolphin Dash. Twenty-five miles down, twenty-five to go! Cheryl McCormick is running 50 miles to protect cetaceans and to raise funds to attend the 2011 International Whaling Commission meeting later this week in the UK. At the IWC meeting, she'll be speaking out against commercial whaling. Show your support for Cheryl with a tax-deductible contribution. Just click on the Dolphin Dash link at www.acsonline.org! Thanks for your support!

2011 Dolphin Dash Underway

Cheryl started on her 50-mile quest this morning shortly before 6 a.m. in Monterey, CA. She is now making her way along scenic and inspiring 17-mile Drive towards Pebble Beach. Running strong!

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your support of the 2nd Annual 50-mile "Dolphin Dash" fundraiser run, allowing the American Cetacean Society to travel to and participate in the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC)!

You can make a tax-deductible contribution to support the run here:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/678906628

Thank you so very much,

Cheryl

McCormick's Dolphin Dash makes the Carmel Pine Cone

Check this out! My "Dolphin Dash" story made it into the July 1st edition of the Carmel Pine Cone (page 9A). You can read the article at the Carmel Pine Cone website at:

http://www.pineconearchive2.com/110701PCA.pdf

Thank you, Chris Counts, reporter extraordinaire. :)

Happy running,

Cheryl

I'm very grateful to have had so many caring and supportive followers who are cheering me on to the finish line. Thanks so much! You can support ACS's participation in the annual meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) by making a tax-deductible contribution to the 2nd Annual 'Dolphin Dash'. Just follow this link:

http://www.eventbrite.com/event/678906628

Thank you so much!

Happy running,

Cheryl

50 miles? Bring it....

Saturday, April 9th: 15-miles (feel good)

Sunday, April 10th: 7-miles (feel great)

Monday, April 11th: 22-miles (goal: feel awesome)

Chia (Salvia hispanica): Awesome 70’s gag gift and... miracle running food.

This post pays homage to the humble chia seed (Salvia hispanica) and its omnipotent power as a formidable ‘super food’ that you should consider incorporating into your daily diet.

Let’s be clear – I’m no health food nut. I confess that I have a fondness for junk food. I was a vegetarian for 17 years, but have reverted back to an omnivorous diet with absolutely no guilt or regret. I eat pretty much anything.

..except when ‘training season’ starts, when the quality of the fuel going into the engine becomes immensely important. But with the demands of being pulled in 86 directions at once in today’s world, who doesn’t need a high-octane injection of ‘super-food’?

I’m hardly one to give advice about healthy living, and I’m skeptical of most so-called ‘health food crazes’ that aren’t backed up by logic, let along solid research. But one thing I can recommend – very highly – is chia. Yup... that “ch-ch-ch chia" with the cheerful jingle from the 70’s chia pet craze that to this day reigns supreme as ‘gag gift extraordinaire’.

If you doubt that the same green blanket nestling ‘chia ram’ and ‘chia guy’ is the stuff of physiologically fine tuning, consider this:

Chia seeds are the richest natural plant source of omega-3 and omego-6 fatty acids; they’re jam-packed with antioxidants (way more than cherries or blackberries), proteins, vitamins and minerals (zinc, iron, and significantly more calcium than milk), and fiber (more than most bran products). Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, the true story of the astoundingly fit and healthy Tarahumara barefoot runners in Mexico, (who take off on 50-100-mile running jaunts as if they were evening strolls) likened the nutritional value of chia to making a 'smoothie of wild salmon, spinach and human growth hormones.'

Need more convincing? Okay, check this out. Chia seeds are hydrophilic, which means that they rapidly attract and absorb large amounts of water. In fact, chia seeds can hold 10 times their weight in water, and for endurance athletes, this is an enormous asset in terms of improving and prolonging hydration and subsequently, overall performance.

Chia was once so treasured by the Aztecs, they delivered it to their king in homage. Aztec runners used to eat chia seeds as they went into battle, and Hopis fueled themselves during their epic runs from Arizona to the Pacific Ocean (yes, you ready that correctly).

If you’re as convinced as I am that chia is indeed the ‘super-food’, try incorporating chia in your diet. The simplest way to use chia seeds is to sprinkle them directly on your foods, either whole or ground. You can grind them in a pepper mill or coffee/nut grinder. I’m committing to using them in everything from soups to salsa.

I have two favorite ways to use chia seeds. The first is for breakfast – this low-calorie, fresh, light snack is utterly jam-packed with nutrients and will keep you satisfied until lunchtime, without feeling like you’ve eaten a brick. You’ll love it!

6 ounce (1 small container or ~ ¾ C) Chobani yogurt (plain, non-fat)
¼ C. fresh pomegranate seeds
¼ C. fresh blueberries
1 Tbsp wheat germ
2 Tbsp whole chia seeds

Another chia recipe I love is Agua Fresca de chia – “chilled chia water”. When you need an immediate boost of energy – without caffeine - believe me, this will not fail you – it’s a modern version of a recipe used for eons by Mexican and Central American peoples and is fondly referred to by endurance runners as “10,000-year old, homebrewed Red Bull.”

It’s best to prepare a batch just before you’re planning to use it; the longer the chia seeds are in the water, the thicker and more gelatinous the mixture will become. Make a small batch the first few times, experimenting with the amount of chia to determine how large or small an amount of seed you prefer.

10 C. water
1/3 to ½ C. whole chía seeds
½ C. lime juice (or to taste)
1 C. sugar (try Sugar-In-The-Raw instead of the fine-milled, highly refined white sugar) (or honey to taste)

1. Pour lime juice and sugar or honey into water and stir until dissolved.
2. Add chía seeds to sugar water mixture
3. Shake or stir vigorously and serve very cold

Enjoy!

Happy running...

Cheryl

Follow up references:

* Coates, Wayne. ‘All things chia’ Recipes to research: http://www.azchia.com/
* McDougall, Christopher. Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen. 2010, Knopf Publishing (New York).
* Pirello, Christine (Huffington Post): http://huff.to/cvy2Nd

2011: What a Difference a Year Makes

Another round of training for the 50 mile “Dolphin Dash.”

This year, the fundraiser run will be held in Monterey, CA on Wednesday, July 6th, and I will be departing for the 63rd Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) the following day - Thursday, July 7th.

It's been just nine months since the inaugural run in Los Angeles, but it feels like years.

The second annual event will be a real test of the 'mind over matter' principle. My running is not coming as easy anymore... nothing is, actually. Until recently, I've felt 20 years younger than my 42 (soon to be 43) years; now I feel...42 going on 43. I want my 'mojo' back - now, please!

This will be an interesting three months. I am committing to viewing this time as an "experiment of one". The days of being cavalier about my running - and fitness in general - are over. No more eating anything I like; no more rolling out of bed after a late night and bangin' out a 30-miler without preparation; no more putting running at the end of my daily 'to do' list and getting to it 'if everything else is attended to.' It's a lot more work now - this is now a total mind-body-soul endeavor, and I'm not exactly an "Eye of the Tiger" contender, but merely a creature of habit. I hope you'll join me - in my successes and inevitable failures on the road to the "Dolphin Dash".

Til then, you may be interested in reviewing the 2010 posts leading up to the event on June 17th, 2010, and video taken during the run by members of the ACS Support Team. I also have a blog to accompany the "100-Mile Run for the Wildlands" run I completed in August 2009 on the CA Central Coast in support of the California Invasive Plant Council: http://runforthewildlands.blogspot.com/

Happy Running,

CM

Mile 50: ACS Dolphin Dash

Cheryl ran all 50 miles of the Dolphin Dash and is still standing. Not only that she is out running an extra 5 miles in honor of a $500 donation from the ACS Monterey Bay Chapter. This is amazing and crazy! Tomorrow she hops (possibly literally) on a plane to fly to Morocco to attend the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting. This just in...Cheryl just finished 55 miles! Thanks to everyone who donated. And for those who haven't yet there is still plenty of time just go to: http://dolphindash.eventbrite.com/

And for those wondering...yes Cheryl is still standing after 55 miles. Wow! Thanks Cheryl for all you are doing for the whales and dolphins!

Mile 40: ACS Dolphin Dash

Wow, Cheryl just hit mile 40 and is still going strong. Simply amazing. She made it through all the tough hills and urban areas and is now enjoying the ocean breeze and ocean views on the last 10. One of the top quotes of the day: "Oh, I got my share of bug protein." For more details and to see video check out ACS-National's facebook page.

Mile 25: ACS Dolphin Dash

Cheryl made it to the 25 mile mark and is still looking good. The last five miles were in a very urban environment. Now she is headed back towards the ocean, but is keeping her eyes peeled for squirrels. She stocked the little pocket in her running shorts with salt tablets and advil. Ah the glories of the running life. For video go to ACS-National's facebook page.

Mile 20: ACS Dolphin Dash

Cheryl made it to mile 20 no problem, except for some squirrels that that crossed her path. She tried to dance around them but in the process ended up "doing a face-plant." None of that action made it on film. But for other fun video updates check out the ACS-National facebook page.

Mile 17: ACS Dolphin Dash

Cheryl hit mile 17 feeling good. Switched dolphin socks out for more comfortable running socks. Downed more liquid protein and hit the path again feeling strong. Go to ACS-National for video updates.

Mile 10: ACS Dolphin Dash

Cheryl is doing great. She hit the 10 mile mark no problem. Had to change her socks and drink some liquid protein and now she is on the move again. For live video updates go to the American Cetacean Society-National's facebook page.

Suicide... a morning routine

When I’m first beginning my run, I focus on external stimuli – lyrics of music, people I see regularly along my running route, whether or not I can spot any whale spouts in the San Pedro Channel. I notice every detail of my surroundings – the scent of blossoms, species of trees and flowers in landscaping and in chaparral communities along the cliffs (as a plant ecologist, this takes up a lot of head space), birds that inhabit the area. I’ve noticed lately there’s a daily morning “snail suicide procession” – snails big and small make the trek from vegetated habitats along sidewalks and roads to the other side...hopefully. I can tell you firsthand that the vast majority of them do not make it, but the birds are very happy to have a meal. I wonder how many people notice this ill-fated trek in urban environments. It seems important to me – to be aware of these seemingly lilliputian events.  They’re woven into the fabric of my day, and so are not inconsequential to me.  Besides, lately I can relate all to well to my doomed, slimy companions. If challenged to a race, at least half of them would likely beat me. I’m slowing down, in many ways... and I’m painfully aware of it.

Good things come slow - especially in distance running.
- Bill Dellinger, Oregon coach

After settling into a comfortable pace, I can think creatively.  I do my best thinking about my work and personal life at this time.  I’m not being bombarded by competing stimuli; not multi-tasking; not busying my mind in other ways – I’m free to let my mind wander in whatever direction it wants to go. This is the very best thinking time; I can work through a lot – or not.  If there’s nothing that I want to think about, I just put my mind on autopilot and eventually get into the “Zen head candy place”.  My favorite things to focus on are my work, of course – new programs I’d like to implement – how to inspire people to care enough about protecting whales and dolphins to get involved – how to constantly improve ACS and my own service to the organization.

Other things... are not for public consumption.

Happy running,

CMc

Ear Candy

I find it nearly impossible to run without music – it’s a vital part of maintaining motivation and pacing myself over the course of many hours.  An assortment of music with varying beats-per-minute (BPM) makes it easier to dig in, get the adrenaline pumping, and motor up a steep hill in record time, or settle into a consistent, energy-conserving pace over long-distance.

When I’m listening to music I can’t hear the sound of my own breathing, which psychologically tires me faster.  I also don’t want to hear somebody else’s heavy breathing (at least, not in this context) or their footfall behind me; it’s creepy and distracting and sounds as though somebody's following me... which of course, they are. 

Regardless of how many gazillabytes worth of music you have on your iPod, after so many hours of pounding the pavement, eventually your music selection will become stale and predictable. Fortunately for me, I have a good friend who is always discovering new music and it's a huge passion of his – he sends me new music regularly, so I can overhaul the iPod regularly – that prevents boredom, increases my motivation, and greatly expands my musical repertoire. I am often reminded that he “owns my iPod”, for which I am very grateful.  You’ll find everything on my iPod – from Aimee Mann to Al Green, N.E.R.D. to Neil Young, Peter Gabriel to Pearl Jam, Thievery Corporation to Thin Lizzy and everything in between.

Good music matters just as much as good coaching and can send you to that Nirvana state a lot faster. If it weren’t for amazing ‘ear candy’.... who would want to run for multiple hours or days on end? Who would I call upon besides Blondie for support when there is no one else to turn to?

What would I do without Bono there to push me to the finish?

Happy running,

CMc

Be Smarter Than a Box of Hammers

Today, I was ambushed by two nimble redheads as I loped through an affluent subdivision on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Nobody ever expects to be attacked in wealthy towns, let alone in broad daylight, and yet here I was. They came out of nowhere – the first pressing his weight on my legs behind me while the other wheeled around directly in my path, bringing me to a grinding halt. By the time I could comprehend what was happening, I was knocked down and thoroughly pawed over.

"Don’t worry, they won’t bite, that’s just their way of saying “Hi”!

Why do dog owners always say that? As if forgetting that his auburn-tressed companions were Irish Setters (aka, one of the "blockhead breeds"), the gentleman calls to them, as if expecting them to actually listen and obey. They don’t, of course, and instead vacuously run off, showing absolutely no sign of even a nanosecond’s worth of gray matter stimulation. Three redheads on this street are two too many.  Slightly annoying, yes...but hardly stressful or menacing. In my own experiences in the realm of runner vs. dog, I have met the enemy. And it is me.

Your own worst enemy has come to town.

– Bruce Springsteen

The ultimate dog nemesis was a beagle named “Goober” who lived in a trailer along a long stretch of Nowhere Road in Athens, Georgia. No, I am not making this up. He was an old, gnarly-looking mutt who didn’t think very highly of cyclists or runners and was hell bent on proving it. He’d lie in wait at the end of his driveway, rise at your approach, yawn and stretch, and then charge, full-throttle, snapping at your heels and baying. He was a kinetic blur of teeth and an overworked voice box, undeterred by collisions with cars or bikes, or verbal and even physical abuse from runner.  In fact, he seemed to thrive on adversity.

My immediate thought was to rationally discuss the situation with Goober’s owner. I immediately reconsidered this strategy when I noticed the rebel flag exterior decor, charming lawn replica of a KKK Grand Wizard, and fully-stocked gun rack in the truck window.  Yes, it was possible that I wasn't likely to move the needle of the owner's "care-o'-meter", given my obviously Yankee attitude and accent.  And anyway, how would I get past the Napoleonic Cujo?

I like dogs, but was beginning to intently dislike this particular mutt. I needed an effective deterrent - one that was easy to deploy, didn’t hurt the dog, was lightweight, and “memorable”. I tried everything – spraying the dog with water from my bottle, shouting, speeding past it, walking past it, charging it, throwing dog biscuits... nothing worked. Then, an idea came... pepper spray!

Let me just say that my grand scheme did not involve hosing "The Goob" down with pepper spray.  My perfectly designed and flawlessly executed plan involved carrying a small unit of pepper in the pocket of my shorts, alerting Goober to my approach, unlocking the pepper canister well in advance, and spraying a line of capsicum 10 feet between me and Gooby which, when sniffed from a safe distance, would stop him dead in his tracks, leaving him foiled, baying, and forever associating me with bad burnin' juju. Basking in the glow of my victory, I would run past, maybe even walk, knowing that I was in fact, smarter than the dumbest, redneck hound dog.

This is a good time to mention that my track record of designing and executing flawless plans rival that of Wile E. Coyote. Here’s what actually happened: I put the locked pepper in the pocket of my shorts, approached and was greeted by Goober, ears back, lips curled exposing his tooth, hair on end. I took the pepper canister from my shorts, and unlocked it. With about 30 feet between us, he burst forth, intent on shredding my legs to ribbons. I sprayed the pepper in a long line – perfectly... over which Goober bolted as if it weren’t there. My mind didn’t register what I was seeing until he was almost upon me – I sprinted off, Goober barking and snapping at my heels for a good 1/8th of a mile. I was exhausted... and defeated...by a beagle. I resolved to find another solution before the end of the run. I snapped the pepper canister and put it back into the pocket of my shorts.

It was in the 90’s that day – standard for a Georgia summer. I took my tank top off and doubled it as a towel to wipe the sweat from my face. Man, was it ever hot. Unbearable, in fact... my face was absolutely on fire! I looked down and to my absolute horror and misery, I noticed the pepper spray had leaked and was on my shirt, which I was now using to wipe my face. Death, sweet death... would’ve been welcome for about 20 minutes until the seering burn started to subside. 

In the end, I changed my route. I know when I’ve been defeated. It’s just that, well... I was outwitted by a beagle, a breed rivaling only Dalmatians and Irish setters on the “dumb as a box of hammers” scale of intellectual prowess.

I dread to think of the outcome had Goober been a border collie. 

Happy running,

CM

50-Mile Dolphin Dash Event Route

If you're interested in what the event route "looks like" and how the mileage has been calculated, you can view the interactive course map by clicking on the link below, which will take you to MapMyRun.com.  Feel free to browse some of my former routes and runs on the Monterey Peninsula while you're there.



Once the map is active, you can display course elevation by clicking on the box on the upper right-hand side of the screen labeled Info & Tools.  I would describe the course as "rolling terrain" of average/medium difficulty.  The Palos Verdes Marathon (http://www.palosverdes.com/Marathon) route comprises a section of the course. 

The course is a 25-mile out-and-back course, beginning and ending at the National Headquarters of the American Cetacean Society (ACS), located in Point Fermin Park, San Pedro, CA.  The event will begin at 5:30 am on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 and will end...whenever I finish. 

Click here to make a donation to the 50-Mile Dolphin Dash fundraiser run: dolphindash.eventbrite.com
 
Thank you and happy running,

CM

Running is a Mistress

Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one.

Duke Ellington

My friend Todd once described running as his “mistress” – something that started out innocently enough – without commitment or emotional attachment – and eventually blossomed into an all-consuming passion of the mind, body, and soul. I commented that I thought his metaphor was an intriguing one, but as it turns out he wasn’t being clever. For two years, Todd ran twice daily for hours on end and spent entire weekends traveling to-and-from races; eventually his wife issued an ultimatum. His presence at the starting line on a gorgeous Saturday and bare left hand indicated that he now had a lot more time for such dalliances.

That was many years ago, and I’ve since explored that poignant theme hundreds of times as my own relationship with running has evolved. I’ve found the analogy no less applicable to my own life, albeit for different reasons.

I am his mistress.
His work is his wife.

Marion Javits

In my case, the metaphorical wife is my work – comfortable, familiar, frequently stressful but firmly entrenched within my comfort zone, and so integrated into the fabric of my daily routine that it’s no longer a conscious part of my thought process. Colleagues and partners no longer feel the need to “make themselves up" for me – what you see is what you get. The wife can be complicated and infuriating, and in those times, I may complain about her and her endless challenges, but I may resent it if you do the same. And in the interest of keeping up appearances, I will cheerlead and proclaim that I have the most wonderful spouse ever – much like a Christmas photo card depicting a perfect moment in an otherwise dysfunctional family. Despite the ups-and-downs, I’m generally content. For all of her quirkiness and occasional emotionally-draining meltdowns, I love her in my own way, and I did commit to her.

Ah, but the mistress... this is another animal altogether. At times, "The Other Woman" in my life – the runner – has utterly consumed me; she’s what I dream of and long for when I’m suffering through meetings and grant-writing sessions; the one I miss when I’m with my spouse; the one I make first priority and to whom I feel a profound and deep sense of connection and passion. The Other Woman is a fantasy, I realize – a manifestation of possibility, of excitement, something unattainable even– a departure from the mundane. She never nags, is always happy to see me, never complains about my shortcomings, and gets the best of me. I am an eager guest in her home, and when I leave I know she simultaneously mourns my departure and is grateful for her solitude. In my mind, she’s perfection in motion.

In 2006, I was given the opportunity to “upgrade” the mistress to the wife position after a second-place finish in the Croom’s 50K Trail Run in Bradenton, FL. I struggled with the decision. No one talks about what it means to bring The Other Woman into the fold of domesticity, revealed – to overcome the odds stacked up against her in her former position – what happens to the fantasy? Do you begin to resent her reality and ordinariness? And what happens to you – your dreams, your passions, the sense of breathlessness and anticipation of being with her when you invite the fire to become the familiar – when you possess what was once forbidden and concealed?   

All questions unknowable to me. In the end, I declined the offer to make my passion my vocation. I didn’t want it to become routine – I didn’t want to resent my time with her because I felt I had to be there... I wanted the desire to be there.  Even when, or perhaps especially because, I couldn't. 

The Other Woman knows the most important rule - know your place. She is aware that our relationship can end at any moment, at any time, without further notice, - kinda like cell phone coverage. I was warned about my beloved mistress –that I’d pay a price for loving her the way I do – that she’d grind my hips to dust, pulverize my ligaments, and chew up my knees. At times, she can be a hard-driving, powerful, demanding bitch, and I pay her the respect she deserves - she's hard to love.  But when I'm with her and she faces me squarely and turns her attention to me, it’s sublime... and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep her.

Much can be inferred about a man from his mistress: in her

one beholds his weaknesses and his dreams.

George C. Litchtenberg

I