AmbiBen VS me...

AmbiBen pulled me aside and had a long heart to heart with me earlier tonight. As I've mentioned before, there's the ambien me and the regular me. We like to argue amongst ourselves about who's the smartest and who knows best for the other and (ultimately) both of us. I still say it's me.

We talked about many things. Again, some things are going to be kept in the vault. I just can't, but fak!!! He's right. I wish I'd listened to him.

Some of the other things we discussed were my ambitious (to me) running events I've signed up for the next several months. I've signed up for a 60k in 3 weeks, a Tushar 93k in 40 some days, a marathon in 60 some days to try to qualify for Boston, and ,the kicker, a hunnerd miler in Pine, AZ in September.

I've made the committment to finish these runs, stick to my scheduled workouts and try to improve my diet. I think the last part is the toughest. I'm off for the next 2 months, so the workouts - I've got all the time in the world, but this is a double-edged sword. Being off for all this times, allows me to eat quite a bit more than I normally would, and not in a good way.

Another thing we talked about is how I should finish reading that book I started several months ago. In my defense, I just found it after having misplaced it, so I'm going to. That's the most pleasant conversation we had.

Insomniac Late Night Nonesense...I Mean Musings.

Why is it so difficult to take good advice? Especially when you can only benefit from it...I think.

Recently, I was given a couple of pieces of some really good advice from a good friend of mine whose identity I will keep secret, but I will say he goes by the name Quadzilla because of his ginormous quads (obviously).  As I was saying, he gave me some good advice a day or two ago. I'm not going to share what the advice was because I'm not ready to do so. Plus, I don't want to anyway. No, I don't.

Fast-forward a day or two later, and I didn't take the advice. Nevermind that when I accepted the advice, I was in LaLa land having had an adult beverage and my ambien. I'm not sure which Ben is the real one: AmbiBen at night or Ben during the day, so I'm not sure which of me took the advice. I'm guessing the smart me didn't because one of me is smarter than the other - I just don't know which one. I guess depending on which one you ask, I'll say I am.

I think I tend to dwell on things during those late nights battling insomnia. Last night was one of those such nights. I was debating why I didn't just do what he said, and I realized I was probably convincing myself that it wasn't a good idea. I know it's not too late to take it, but, knowing myself, I don't know that I'm smart enough to take it.

I guess there'll be plenty of time to explain why it fell on deaf ears later in the week when we'll be on a 3-4 hour bus ride to Mexico.

"You either squat or you don't. You didn't."

Saying I’m not the most limber guy out there is an understatement, but I’ve been working on it…or at least trying to. I can’t do a lunge without tipping over, a squat properly or sometimes even touch my toes. 

I’ve been trying to do strength training for quite a while, but it just never really got off the ground. Sure, I’d do it after a workout here and there, but that’d be just about it. Oh, and these sessions would only last about 8 minutes.

That’s why when Hector said, we’d be adding a strength training day to our Running 101 schedule, I was really looking forward to it. I’d finally get to do the “little things” that I know I should be doing but don’t. I’ve discovered that unless somebody is telling me to do something I don’t want to, I won’t.

I need to accept that running alone will not make me a better runner. Lunges, abs and other assorted strength workouts are needed for this slug. 

Yesterday, a person who will go unnamed but is in the picture doing a better squat than me said: "I was squatting, unlike Ben, who was just holding a ball." Ouch.

Running 101

People often ask me two questions: What's Running 101 and why should I join.

Running 101 is a running group run by several coaches under the guidance of founder and owner, Hector Gandara. Hector's run several marathons and is also Head Cross Country Coach at Mission High School, and the owner of Endurance Splits.

If you're a beginning or experienced runner, Running 101 is for you. There are individuals who have never run, run the mile in 5:30 or 20+ minutes. It simply does not matter your level or ability.

The program is made up of 7 coaches who oversee anywhere from 5 to, as many as, 20 runners. They run with them, answer their questions and motivate them.

Running 101 usually lasts about 4 months and ends in conjunction with a major run somewhere in the US or state of Texas. For example, recently, the previous session ended and about 20 runners  ran the Houston Chevron Marathon (with a 100% completion rate). The current session's end coincides with the Austin 10/20 on April 03, 2016.

Upon joining, runners are placed in different groups with a different coach depending on their ability level. Although many are hesitant to leave their group/coach, many have moved up during the course of a session or several sessions.

Runners have a running plan/program they follow which is a mix of speed work, recovery runs, tempo runs, long runs and cross training.

The main reason runners join is for the camaraderie and accountability. Running with friends makes it much more enjoyable than running alone. You may have seen us recently on a Monday or Thursday night when our large group takes over the Bicentennial trail or Bill Schuup park.

In addition, there's nobody like somebody else who knows what you're supposed to run to hold you accountable. It's not uncommon for runners to ask each other if they are following their plan. It ends up gnawing at your "homework" (as we like to call it) assignment for the day. Runners usually post their homework on the Running 101 page, and let me tell you, it becomes a daily ritual to post what you did.

In a nutshell, THAT's why you should join .

Looking Ahead After RR100...

After last weekend's disappointing finish at Rocky Raccoon 100 (and having an entire week of no running), it's time to look forward to what's next.

On July 24, we are running the Ultra Maraton de Canones 100k in Guachochi near Chihuahua. Specifically, I'm looking forward to running alongside the "Raramuris" better known as the Tarahumaras.

This race has  got me both, excited and a little nervous.

Doesn't it look like fun?

It's time to do some hillwork.

Making Butter Coffee (while already under the influence of too much caffeine)...

Coffee With Benergy...

So, I’ve always wanted to do a podcast which is basically a blog but digital. I’m no techie, but that’s about as easy of an explanation as I can give. It makes sense to me, so I figure it’ll make sense to you. 

Within the next week or so, I think I’m going to begin a podcast ranging in topics. ..mainly, about things I like, things I do, and people who I think you should get to know because they're interesting.  People like Dr. Joey Cadena at PhysioDynamix, German Madrazo at Valley Running Co., the guys from Sole Running, among others. In other words, it'll mainly be about running...and coffee, of course. 

Check out the link below and tell me what you think - especially of the name. 

Coffee With Benergy

As I like to say often, it’s a work in progress (kinda like me), so bear with me.

Talk to you guys soon & stay tuned.