Runners - Where to focus attention while running

What Should Runners Think About While Running?

by Kathleen Lisson

What goes through your mind when these are on your feet?

In Runners World article titled 'Where To Focus Your Attention While Running,' Amby Burfoot shares information on the best way to calm your mind in a race. He shares differences between "associative thinking," "disassociative thinking" and the "constrained action hypothesis." 

The latest research shows that focusing on feelings or thinking of whatever comes to mind uses up less oxygen than thinking about breathing or form.

Read the article here: http://www.runnersworld.com/sports-psychology/where-to-focus-your-attention-while-running

How to Increase Pain Tolerance for Endurance Athletes

How to Increase Pain Tolerance for Endurance Athletes

By Kathleen Lisson

In the Runner's World article ‘Three Workouts to Increase Pain Tolerance,’ Alex Hutchinson writes about a TransEurope study which found that “athletes can endure the discomfort at higher levels and for longer times than nonathletes. They have a higher pain tolerance. And it's a learned skill: Research suggests that the harder you train, the higher your tolerance rises.” 

Hutchinson goes on to profile three workouts that increase pain tolerance for long distance running.

Much is made of altitude sickness as a factor in summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. I will be taking medication and understand that I have no control over how my body will react to the altitude. I do have control over how I react to the hikes each day. Hopefully increasing my pain tolerance will make the trek less unpleasant.

Check out the 'Three Workouts to Increase Pain Tolerance' article here:

http://www.runnersworld.com/workouts/three-workouts-to-increase-pain-tolerance?cm_mmc=Facebook-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Training-_-IncreasePainTolerance

Do You Hike Just for the Summit?

Do You Hike Just for the Summit?

Map of Mount Kilimanjaro

 By Kathleen Lisson

In the article ‘5 Training tips to climb Kilimanjaro,’ Daniel Dorr of Kilimanjaro Adventures has some wise words about training to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. He shares a quote, “enjoy your suffering, that’s what alpinism is all about.” Dorr cautions that trekkers “can’t spend 7 days climbing a mountain if you only enjoy standing at the top.”

This advice really hit home. When I was training for my half marathon I read post after post from non-athletes that wanted to know the bare minimum training regimen that would help them stand at the finish line of a race. I want my week on Kilimanjaro to be meaningful, not just the handful of minutes on the summit.

Read ‘5 Training tips to climb Kilimanjaro’ here:

http://www.kiliadventures.com/planning-travel/5-training-tips-to-climb-kilimanjaro/

Does Hiking Make You a Better Decision Maker?

Could Hiking Improve Your Decision - Making Skills?

by Kathleen Lisson

Natural scenery can improve decision making skills

I recently read an article on Pacific-Standard about the effect of viewing nature scenes on decision making skills. In 'Feeling Impulsive? Head for the Forest,' author Tom Jacobs provides details of a study where participants were asked to make decisions after viewing either a scene found in nature or in a city (buildings or geometric shapes). The Results? Better decisions after being exposed to the nature scene.

Now I have one more reason to keep on hiking! Arun and I have a photo of some autumn trees in our bedroom. This might be the encouragement I need to take more nature photos and display them around the house and in my office.

Read the article here: http://www.psmag.com/navigation/nature-and-technology/nature-benefits-outdoors-feeling-impulsive-head-forest-82984/

What is in a Perfect Mid-hike Snack?

What is in a Perfect Mid-Hike Snack?

By Kathleen Lisson

I am trying to hike both days every weekend to prepare for my expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro this July. 

With all the time hiking in the woods, I have begun to listen to my body more. If I feel a sudden tiredness mid-hike, it is for one of two reasons - either I'm hiking up an incline or I need a snack. I have found that a snack can be as simple as a bite or two of a cookie or bar. After a few minutes, my enthusiasm for the hike returns and I speed right back up with a smile on my face. 

Hiking has also improved a lot since I began using my Camelback instead of waiting until a 'water break' to drink.

I've covered the physical needs for refueling on a hike, but what about the emotional aspect? I recently went on an easy hike along the Shawangunk Ridge Trail. I stopped at a scenic overlook and tried a LemonZest Luna Bar. As I was sitting and watching the peaceful movement of Lake Awosting, the lemony taste reminded me of relaxing summer days, sipping lemonade and feeling the warm sun on my face. 

For a moment, all the stress of preparing for Mt. Kilimanjaro melted away and I was able to enjoy a moment of just looking at the trees and smelling the woods on the breeze.

I'm looking forward to enjoying more Luna bars on the trail and bringing them with me to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro this July. I'll need the reminder to take a moment to relax in the middle of my journey and enjoy the sights and smells around me.

Advice for Hiking the High Peaks

Advice for Hiking the High Peaks

By Kathleen Lisson

In the article 'How to Hike the High Peaks and not be That Guy,' Casey Normile offers 10 tips for hiking in the Adirondacks. 

My favorite was 'don't hike Mt. Marcy first.' Certain mountains are "friendlier" than others and a beginning hiker can get discouraged when their second or third hike is MUCH more difficult than the first few. 

Read the 'How to Hike the High Peaks and not be That Guy' article here: http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2012/08/06/how-to-hike-the-high-peaks----and-not-be-that-guy

Prepare Mentally to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

Prepare Mentally to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

By Kathleen Lisson

Mark Whitman of the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide website offers tips on getting physically fit for the trek up Kilimanjaro in the article ‘Training to climb Kilimanjaro – how to be perfectly prepared for the summit.’ 

I like Whitman's advice to prepare for the adventure mentally as well as physically. I remember very well the last mile of my last half marathon. The goal was almost in sight, I was on track to finish in under 2 hours, but I had no more gas. The mental strength I used to get to that last straightaway is the strength I will need to get to the top of Kilimanjaro. 

Read the ‘Training to climb Kilimanjaro – how to be perfectly prepared for the summit’ article here:
http://www.climbkilimanjaroguide.com/training-to-climb-kilimanjaro/

Why Do People Climb Mountains?

Flying Carpets and Jonathan Livingston Seagull

By Kathleen Lisson

I was listening to NPR on my way to a dayhike in the Shawangunk mountains recently, and caught a reading of Steven Millhauser’s “Flying Carpets” in an episode of the SELECTED SHORTS program “Wish Fulfillment,” hosted by Parker Posey.

Flying Carpets is the story of a boy who explores his boundaries by using a flying carpet. Being on my way to a practice hike for my upcoming trip to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, this story became very relevant. 

Unlike most of the boys who stayed under their mothers' watchful eyes in the backyard, I am taking my 'flying carpet' WAY out into the blue this July.

The boy decides that flying high and far is not for him, and his carpet ends up in the cellar.

But what if he DID go into the blue?

This story reminds me of a book my mother had in her library when I was a child 'Jonathan Livingston Seagull.'

Watch Ariel Bissett review Jonathan Livingston Seagull here: http://youtu.be/khvC_g3dBqk


Here is a quote from the book: “Why, Jon, why?" his mother asked. "Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can't you leave low flying to the pelicans, the albatross? Why don't you eat? Son, you're bone and feathers!" "I don't mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can't, that's all. I just want to know.”

Find out more about Flying Carpets here: http://www.wnyc.org/story/flying-carpets/

Good at the Beginning or Good in the Long Run?

Good at the Beginning or Good in the Long Run?

By Kathleen Lisson

"Wow, that's amazing! I could never do that."

I read a post on Seth Godin's blog titled 'Good at the beginning' that reminded me of the reactions I saw in some of the people I met when they learned that I like long distance running and, more recently, that I was going to hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro. Their reactions were not negative toward me, but I felt a little worried that their admiration was shortchanging their own capabilities to meet challenges. 

Finishing my first half marathon

Their approach to my adventures made me ask myself:

• Do we think people hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro because they are really good at hiking? 

• Do we think people run half marathons and marathons because running comes easy to them?

Early successes certainly make continuing through hard practices easier. Hiking seems to be less painful to me than other, more inexperienced hikers. I enjoy running long distances and I know that type of exercise is unpleasant for some people. 

I haven't 'picked up' many things about hiking right away. Orienteering is a learned skill, and there is trial and error in getting used to new gear and learning how to 'scramble.'

I appreciated Seth Godin's observation that "the people who are good in the long run fail a lot, especially at the beginning."

I would rather be good in the long run.

Read Seth Godin's post here: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/05/good-at-the-beginning.html

Daily Inspiration for Training to Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro

Daily Inspiration for Training to Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro

 By Kathleen Lisson

Training to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro takes a lot of effort. Between running on weekdays and hiking on weekends, I have that constant low-level fatigue that I love. It reminds me to stay focused on proper nutrition and get to sleep right at ten p.m. every night, no exceptions.

The Runnersworld.com Daily Kick in the Butt newsletter is emailed to me every morning. It is a great inspiration when I am warm in bed and nor that excited about running. If you’re a runner, it might inspire you, too. Sign up here: http://www.runnersworld.com/daily-quotes-newsletter

Tired Is Not An Illness.

Tired Is Not An Illness.

By Kathleen Lisson

In the article ‘5 Life Lessons I Learned From Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro,’ Nancy Bonds shares the five things she learned from climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. #4 is my favorite. Bonds shares a quote from her guide, "tired is not an illness.”

I have been using that quote to get me out of bed in the morning to run. Tired Is Not An Illness. 

I cannot wait to hear what my guides have to say to me on Mount Kilimanjaro! 

Read the '5 Life Lessons I Learned From Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro' here:

http://blogs.mccombs.utexas.edu/bba-news/2013/08/05/the-five-things-i-learned-climbing-kilimanjaro/