The Dangers of GMO's

Normally I really just like to write my own nutrition articles, but this is a great article by Hammer Nutrition.
I've bee doing some research on the effects of unnatural additives in foods, and I will eventually do a post on this, but it's really awful on what things even in veggies and fruit can do to you. Though I don't have the budget to buy everything organic, I've started to buy some of the more affordable organic food.

http://www.hammernutrition.com/downloads/ENews/EN84/#?page=20

(I definitely do not support the animal testing done for this research)

The Changes of a Butterfly

I’m tired. It’s 1pm and I’m in need of a nap. I’ve ran 54 miles in the past 3 days, started picking up more hours at the Boys & Girls Club, and am getting busier working at the motel. To top it off I’m trying to find a new place to live (thank goodness I’m not doing this solo for once!), a new career, and trying to keep this blog somewhat updated. I realize the last thing may seem like unnecessary, but I really do enjoy doing it. I wish I had more time to work on it as I easily have enough ideas to post every day.

I’m not complaining though. I may be tired physically and mentally, but I am starting to really see some things pay off. A few weeks ago I posted a blog titled UNLIMITED. Two days after I hit rock bottom in another area in my life, the 2^nd rock bottom this year (the first was in running). That lovely Education Award I got from AmeriCorps after completing a year of service that helped me pay off 2 student loans cost me almost my whole bank account because of taxes!

Needless to say, I gave myself a day to “freak out”, and then refocused on what I wrote for my UNLIMITED post. I really had to commit to staying positive. It wasn't easy, but this week has brought me some great news and some hope.

First I would like to announce that I will get a chance to see my family thanks to things working out with the Cayuga Trails 50 miler in Ithaca, New York. While I do adore Colorado in the summer, I really enjoy an east coast summer as well. The course is everything I could hope for with a good amount of climbing, waterfalls, and beautiful green trees that Colorado just doesn't have (though makes up for in other ways). I even look forward to the humidity! There is just something rewarding about finishing a run looking like you just jumped in a pool. Most importantly, I really miss my twin and my family. I only got to see some of my family once last year at Christmas so seeing them twice will be nice (completely meant to rhyme there)!

The morning after this, I found out that I won the art contest for the Telluride Mountain Run. It was by default since I was the only entrant but I don’t care- I really, really wanted to run this race. The San Juan Mountains have a special place in my heart. It was love at first sight when I saw them last summer. I wanted to do this race not only because it looked like a cool race in the mountains, but because it looks like a beautiful adventure. I can already hear the San Juan Mountains calling my name.

Part of the San Juans in Silverton, CO

Then, to top it off, I got my fist offer to do some freelance writing for an outdoor blog. I have no idea if it will work out yet and I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but I would really love to start doing things like this. I love the creative side of writing and it would be a great way to let me have some great times exploring this summer.

So yes, I’m tired, and it was very hard to finish this post before work (2nd out of 3 shifts today), but I’m happy with how things are going and am completely grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me.

Since its Maya Angelou’s birthday today, here is a quote from her that I think is fitting for this post:

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” 

That First Spring Run

I wrote this short little poem about this past weekend's long run in Lyons, Colorado. It was the warmest day I have ran in for a long time and it felt amazing after a winter of bundling up and forcing myself to brace the cold. It's hard to describe the wonderful feeling of the year's first truly spring run but I gave it a shot.

That first spring run….

Winter can be harsh

Icicle eye lashes and frozen toes

Winter can be beautiful

The mountains look quite nice donned in white

But me- I’m currently in love with spring

That first spring run

Where the warm air touches my skin

The sun is blazing

Starting my runners’ tan

I see my first flower

It’s full of promise of more to come

I see my first butterfly

It’s telling me it's almost time to fly

Fly high into the mountains

Where my heart is most at home

That first spring run

It rejuvenates my soul

It lightens my heart

It fills my mind with hope

Summer- my heart belongs to you

But spring, I love you too

                                                               Photos by Sage Canaday

After the run I had a great time relaxing in this chair!

(Quite different from the previous weekend's runs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx0SjKlaUyo )

Shooting for the Moon

I feel like the happiest, most successful people are the ones who follow their passions whole heartedly. They creatively find ways to make money doing what they love. I want to be one of these people!

I have already gone through some of the “how to make $ doing what you love” phases.

Phase 1) I’m never going to find a way to make money doing what I really love.

Phase 2) What do I really love to do??? (Besides just running)

Phase 3) I love to run, help others, and be creative in the forms of writing/ blogging, drawing, and most recently making videos. Oh, and I REALLY, REALLY love exploring. Is there a way to make a job out of that?

Phase 4) In response to phase 3- No

Phase 5/ Current Phase) In response to phase 3- Maybe…how?

So here I am now with literally tons of ideas on things to write about and places to explore while taking photographs and making videos. I know what I really want to do this summer. I want to go around exploring trails while sharing them with others through blogs, pictures, and videos. I want to be able to tell people the best places to camp (maybe aim this towards women who camp alone and want to feel safe), where the best coffee shop is, give people some history and the feel of different places, and where to find a shower. I would also love to interview some inspiring people along the way whether it’s a Colorado thru hiker or town local.

Is making myself a job like this at all possible? I know many people would tell me no. Heck, I’ve repeatedly told myself no. However, if I don’t go for what I really want, I will end up with a job I really don’t want. As the saying goes “Shoot for the moon. If you miss, at least you will end up among the stars.”

Here is to shooting for the moon.

Run Wild, Run Happy,

Sandi

~Be kind~

Ultra Marathons are changing for the……ummmm???

     For the most part, I really do think Ultra Marathons are changing for the better. However, there is a lot of talk on some of the negatives that have come with the growth of the sport from lotteries to ultras losing their original charm. To be honest though, there is only one real problem I have noticed. For some reason a select few runners (definitely not the majority) feel that it is acceptable to talk negatively about other runners in an unacceptable manner. This saddens me as when I first began this beautiful sport, I always heard that trail/ ultra runners are nice people. I really do believe that this is still true; some runners are just forgetting their manners. (I hope that doesn't sound lame but I’m really trying to make this as non-offensive as I can.)

     This topic has been on my mind for quite awhile now but I finally felt the need to openly express my thoughts after a recent experience. Sage, my wonderful, good-natured boyfriend was running the Tarawera 100k. At one point he got a 20 minute lead over the 2^nd place Timothy Olson. I was of course informed of this because I had my computer open to the irunfar live coverage all night. As I watched the comments come up on the live coverage, someone started suggesting that Sage was using drugs to enhance his performance! This person obviously has no idea who Sage is as a person, and I immediately felt hurt for Sage who gets upset whenever he hears about an athlete taking drugs. (I would like to thank the MANY people who immediately defended Sage.)

     Now, I’m not saying I’m against drug tests. I have to face the facts that it one day may become necessary in ultras, BUT it is by no means okay that someone who doesn't know Sage suggests he, or any other elite runner, takes drugs. That job is specifically for the people in charge of the race or organizations like USATF.

     Soon after the drug comment, a few people mentioned that they were disappointed in the coverage. It’s expensive to fly to New Zealand! We’re lucky someone was covering it at all. Unfortunately, Bryon isn't God (though us ultra runners are very thankful for him), and can’t be everywhere on the course at once. He even took a boat for us viewers to get to one of the far aid stations! That’s dedication.

     Why must some runners always have to assume the worst in others or go into a post trying to find something negative? Would people still make the same comments if they had to show their faces? My examples above are just a couple of many where a select few people have to take a blow at the positive ultra-runner image. 

     After thinking about this topic alone, I wanted to talk about it with my twin sister Rachel, as she normally has some great insights. Here are her thoughts:

     “It is possible that much of this negativity came about through social media. It doubled the number of people in the sport, including people who just got into it without a real "why" and those who have remained chosen to remain unaffected by the sports ability to allow for deeper thinking. So it is interesting as more research is reported on the health, happiness, and even intellectual benefits of spending time in nature for long periods of time that negative people are still involved in ultra running. On the other hand, I know some of the top ultra runners out there have simply used ultra running as another addiction or a way to cover up other feelings. Another theory would be that there were always negative people in the sport, they just increased as the sport did, and social media gave them the ability to type their negative comments without being known.”

(Told you she was insightful. She really brought up some great discussion topics.)

     Some of the negative comments people are making are just ridiculous and hurtful. An elite woman ultra-runner won a 100 and wrote in her blog about the technical sections of the course. Someone commented that Krissy Moehl wouldn't have complained about the rocks (I’m sure Krissy wouldn't have appreciated this either). Why couldn't this person just congratulate her on her win? Is it that hard to appreciate the struggles of other people or that it’s very easy to trip over your own feet at the end of a 100, let alone rocks?

     Then I read a comment about some of the elite ultra-runners no longer being authentic. They are giving up financial stability to live their dreams of running and exploring the mountains. They are following their hearts and passions. Who is anyone to say that isn't authentic?

     I’m not asking everyone to agree with what people have to say, but everyone can at least try to put their words in a way that is less offensive. It is possible to state an opinion without bringing down someone else. Not trying to be mushy, but it’s important to consider other people’s feelings. We need to try to lift people up, not look for silly reasons to bring them down- unless someone is getting a little too cocky. Then maybe we can nicely tell them their legs will soon not be able to run fast under the weight of their head.

(Top) The Animal Camp and friends. (Bottom) On top of the CDT before a group run with some of the nicest people this sport has to offer. Proof the majority of ultra-runners are great people!

    I realize some people may be thinking “toughen up” and sites like Letsrun.com seem to make it acceptable that road runners can be closely scrutinized.  We however, are ULTRA-RUNNERS! We stick together because we are banded together by our uphill struggles, and the fun we have together running through beautiful nature. I know life can make it easy to always first find the negative in people, but as ultra-runners, we know we get more out of doing the harder things in life, like always trying to find the positives in people.

Ultra-Runners are known for being great people. Let’s keep it that way.

Run Wild, Live Happy,

Sandi

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato

UNLIMITED

“A lifetime’s worth of struggle is not overturned by a moment of positive thinking.” –Jillian Michaels

Let’s be real. Most of the world teaches us to be people we really don’t want to (or should) be. We are taught that it’s okay to have jobs that don’t make us happy, success is defined by having “more”, that it’s perfectly acceptable to not be truly happy and accept mediocrity.  That’s what I was taught by my parents’ actions and even sometimes their words. I resigned from a really good job in the summer of 2011. A job that Forbes magazine rated as one of the top 10 hardest interviews in the U.S.. When I resigned I was told I made a mistake. I could have had a nice place to live, pretty good income, stability, etc… but I knew I would have been miserable working 14+ hour days.

I took a leap and I reached a new level of happiness, but the quote above is true. I had a lot of personal struggles for many years, and they don’t go away easily. A few positive changes, isn’t enough to reach my potential in happiness. Thus, after admitting to myself I could be happier, I decided I needed to take some actions. Actions, I will share soon, and hopefully some actions you can benefit from as well.

FIRST, I’ll share why I’m doing this.

As some of you know I moved from my beloved town of Salida to Buena Vista in early fall. I actually wanted to move to a completely new area then, but I had a decent job at the Boys & Girls Club and then got a free place to stay at a motel if I worked here for the winter. Free apartment…..sounded good to me, even if I wasn’t necessarily thrilled about living here (don’t get me wrong, Buena Vista is beautiful and a great place to run…but only in summer, and it just doesn’t fit me). Of course, everything happens for a reason. In short, Colorado made me feel more at home than ever when I was in the mountains, but not so much when I was alone at night, on holidays, etc…. now I feel much more fully “at home” in large part to a very wonderful unexpected someone. Now, I really just am not enjoying living here, working at the motel isn’t fun, paying rent will suck but it will be WONDERFUL not to have a Disney themed house with walls covered in photos of people I don’t know, and while I find I’m doing some good at the B&GC, I strongly feel I could find a job that can fit me better and that it’s my time to go. Here is where my problems arose…

·         I have no idea what the heck I want to do

·         I have no idea where I should move (besides I want to move a little closer to a certain someone)

·         Looking for a place to live, a new job, and a possible roommate is a pain the in the butt.

·         I’m pretty sure I spent most of my money on races I dnf’d or sucked at.

These thoughts got combined with…

·         I had a terrible year racing last year… what if this year is the same or worse?

·         What if my iron and health issues aren’t resolved?

·         I sucked last year, no sponsor will be interested in me.

·         Etc, etc, etc,…. Blah blah blah.

This thinking has carried on for quite awhile. It’s destructive. Absolutely nothing good can come from it…. nothing.

Thankfully, I finally realized this with some help. Rachel recommended Unlimited: How to Build an Exceptional Life by (my girl crush) Jillian Michaels. Maybe you don’t like her but face it- she’s pretty, healthy, successful, strong, and most importantly, she love’s the life she has. So I got the book on audio CD and started listening to it on a long drive to Boulder. She nailed my negative chain of thought. OF COURSE nothing good can come if I put limits on what I can and can’t do.

Recently I got asked to do a cool little interview and I thought “Why they hell would someone want to interview me for running…. I sucked last year….what if I suck again this year?!”  I wasn’t helping myself at all. 1) I’ve been so worried about feeling as fatigued as I did last year that I haven’t even given myself a chance to think how much fun I can have running this year and 2) I do deserve an interview…. Despite not being healthy last year, I worked really hard and always kept trying. I’ve really tried to learn from it and hopefully I can help someone else.

In my Jillian Michaels’ car therapy session I decided I was going to change my thinking. Silly me has decided this before but then did nothing to back it up. This time WILL be different. I will have a plan!

First Steps of Sandi’s Plan:

1)      Make a Vision Board. (check)

-I’ve heard of how making a vision board helps years ago. You get a cork board than put pictures of the things you want on it. (Think BIG here, but don’t be ridiculous) This goes with the Law of Attraction. Positively think of the things you want and it will work with your other efforts to bring them to you.



Start of my Vision Board



        2) Print out Jillian Michaels’ Working it out Journal. (check on printing)

-Normally, I avoid stuff like this. It’s just extra work and thinking about things that are hard or I may have tried to block out. That’s ignorant thinking and it sure isn’t bliss. Sure it’s extra time, but I have a lot of life to live and I should do my best to give it my all. (It is a lot so if you print it out for yourself, you can give yourself a goal that is good for you, like maybe only answering 2 questions a week.)

       3) Write this post. (check)

- Really, it’s part of my happiness plan. By writing this I am doing a few things. 1) You now know that I am looking for a new job and a place to live. Maybe you or someone knows something or someone that could help me out. 2) Writing and trying to inspire others makes me happy. 3) This will motivate me to keep on track. 4) I put positive thoughts out there… let’s see what positive things I can “attract”.

4) Keep reminding myself to stay positive and have an UNLIMITED mindset.

This will be a big challenge but I HAVE to do this. I owe it to myself. If you struggle with this try putting up positive reminders and quotes and have someone who wants you to be happy to help keep you in check! I’m focusing on thoughts about living in a place I love with a job that makes me happy in addition to running healthy and happy. What areas do you need to change your thinking on? SURROUND yourself with positive thinking!

5) Make more plans when the time comes. I’ll definitely have some more posts on positive thinking!

Side note: If all this positive thinking, Law of Attraction stuff sounds silly, YOUR SILLY! (I say this because I care!) Even research shows it works. Sick people with positive people around them recover faster than those who don’t. I’ll try to back this up more in future posts.

Now, say see-ya lata to those stupid thoughts that limit you, and think about what will make you happy. We were MEANT to be happy! Don’t let the rest of the world fool you. Sure we’ll take some hits and shed some tears, but these are things we can learn and grow from to ultimately make us happier.

"Cause I need freedom now
And I need to know how
To live my life as it's meant to be....
And I'll find strength in pain
And I will change my ways
I'll know my name as it's called again"

 ~Mumford & Sons

The rib tattoo says "The only limitations we face are the ones we place upon ourselves"
Maybe I'm just doing this so I can live up to my tattoo?! :)

Simple Hydration Q&A

Check out my Q&A with Simple Hydration:

http://www.simplehydration.com/qa-with-ultra-elite-runner-sandi-nypaver/


Make sure to check out the bottle. Get a great discount if you hit me up with a message (snypaver@yahoo.com)!