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Joseph Tiraco Phantasm picture me In ecstasy Free as a bird And wild Lean and wet Glistening sweat All style, all smile Beguiled Perched at my desk Life is picturesque To run seems fun To fly But beating feet On hard concrete I wonder why I try |
Running is hard work. Then why do it? Because our powerful minds reside in animals evolved from the wild. Someday, machined parts may replace natural body organs, and we will be as much machine as animal, but not yet. Exercise, especially running, is beneficial in our present state. We seem to be mass-produced items shaped by forces beyond our comprehension, so precisely molded, parts from one human body will fit into all the others. Mental activity is also a universal attribute, for instance, Sigmund Freud analyzed himself to form theories about us all. Born from seed, we mature in seasons: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle and old age. Through every phase except the last, we encounter certain and distinct limits, old age alone has no clear and determinate boundary. At all stages of the journey (often compared to riding a conveyor belt) life's amorphous substances mix, ignite and intoxicate: consciousness, inner power, struggle. We are creatures driven towards progress, both personal and cosmic. In the name of progress, we pull together, pull down the past, and pull off unspeakable crimes; progress is the thrust of all human accomplishment, a restive deity, adored and feared. The worshipers of progress serve as nature's instruments of change, and are duly compensated. At dawn of the Space Age, our life styles are far removed from all others who have gone before. My grandfather, whose living hand I touched, was born (on the island of Sicily) into a world where horses provided transportation, candles brought light, and letters were used to converse over distance, women washed the family laundry by hand with hand-pumped water and indoor plumbing was rare, cooking and heat came from coal stoves, food was salted or kept on ice, a portion of all transatlantic passengers were expected to die from the harsh conditions of travel. Change is now a blur, and accelerating, hurling a spinning world with dizzying speed into the Twenty-first century. As the solar system is explored, and remote pictures pan the starkness of space, the discovery of a fragile garden planet drives home a striking revelation; we are special, very very special. |
 The human body is a product of moving atoms which are individually dead. The abstracted atoms somehow come together to form all the living organs of the body, the senses, and consciousness. The body's complicated on-board equipment is completely automatic, self regulating, self cleaning, self restorative. Free from operational responsibilities, an inner being has the potential to think creatively.
To compare the human body with a well designed machine is tempting, and I shall do so. But there are important incongruities. Machines are lifeless, spiritless objects of the mineral world. Some human parts repair themselves, like broken bones and damaged flesh, but many do not: heart, ear, eye, kidney, brain, spine, and a host of others are non-regenerative; they can usually recover from only slight injuries. Some parts should, but normally do not, last a lifetime: hair, teeth, eye and ear parts. Why the highest level of intelligence, in command of exquisite instrumentation, resides in frail containers is a mystery. Many lower level animals can grow new limbs, we must suffer losses of everyday necessities like teeth. Why not eyes and ears that stay strong until the end? Certainly our status in the animal kingdom entitles us to a more hardy machine? Perhaps, if we take great pains to care for our endowments, if we deliberately and persistently labor towards physical well-being, if we expend the time and energy to practice a vigorous regimen, then, all our parts will give excellent service for life. "Masinissa," says Will Durant (in Caesar and Christ), "King of Numidia, lived ninety years (238-148 BC), begot a son at eighty-six, and by a vigorous regimen kept his health and strength almost to the end" (Bear in mind the average life expectancy of the time was half Masinissa's attainment.) Cicero by personal observation concurs in his essay, On Old Age, "He" (Masinissa) is at this time ninety years of age, he takes long journeys, sometimes on foot and sometimes on horseback . . . I particularize these circumstances as a proof, that by temperance and exercise a man may secure to his old age no inconsiderable degree of his former spirit and activity." It is not unusual to have conflicting thoughts concerning exercise. Most people want healthy and vigorous lives, but are not motivated to exercise. In our society, money and motivation are synonymous terms, exercise seems a part time job that pays no stipend and appears an unprofitable use of time. However, an exuberance for living is not something that money buys; it must be coaxed from life using will power and self denial. This is difficult to realize in an affluent society where many pleasures come popularly priced. "To succeed" says an eloquent young Cicero, "a man must renounce all pleasures, avoid all amusements, say farewell to recreations, games, entertainment, almost to intercourse with his friends." Cicero lost his youthful ardor somewhere in his mature actions, to succeed, he married a woman whose ample dowry allowed him to go into politics. Conflicting thoughts are a natural human phenomenon. Cicero, for example, was a lawyer who extolled simplicity, and genuinely admired the austere founders of the Roman Republic, yearning to live by their example. But instead, he surrounded himself with opulence, and devised ways to subvert the law. Cicero was both strong and weak, sometimes stoic and sometimes frivolous; in short, he was just like us. We too admire our pioneer forefathers, those giants who lived simple lives and yet managed to forge a republic. Who among us is not touched by a vision of Abraham Lincoln splitting rails and walking barefoot five miles every morning to get an education. His Spartan example is welcomed into lives cluttered with possessions and obligations that burden both mind and body. Simplicity is what we yearn for, but for some reason find too difficult to achieve. As ridiculous as it may seem, to want nothing, own little, and live simply appears unattainable in an affluent society. Simplicity is what we should focus more energy on; a simple life mitigates internal conflicts, frees the mind, and shapes the personality for the pursuit of virtue; though, successful practitioners may not always recognize the place when they arrive. "If I weren't so lazy" said Honest Abe, "I might have made something out of myself." |
 Evolution in our time has reached a new stage - the age of migratory intelligence (intelligent machines can now conceive intelligent machines.) Humans, once sole heirs, circumscribed the extreme limitations of intelligence, but may now be unwitting links in a chain through which intelligence eventually passes from the animal to mineral kingdom. Species come and go. Our problem? Intellect slowly expands without a similar increase of virtue, or decrease of savage instincts; wild animal tendencies like aggression and violence, and civilized barbarities such as avarice and pompous vanity have remained undimmed throughout recorded history. We think of ourselves as modern, and sophisticated, the crudeness of ancient times behind us, yet a few world leaders in our time slaughtered more people then did the Romans in a thousand years. Perhaps, we should ascribe the welter in bloodletting as immolations to the idols of progress. We assume our own initiative moves the human species forward, but there is reason to believe that civilization and progress are preprogrammed conditions, and intelligence has climbed from protozoan to human for reasons other then we suspect, intelligence may not be finished climbing. By a trick of Mother Nature (American Indians called the Great Spirit the Great Prankster) machines inherit our intelligence, but not human traits, freeing intellect from emotion - a survival prerequisite for creatures with enormous powers. Whatever the future scenario, humanity will have to produce strong individuals to survive. When a broken machine reaches the point where it is more practical to replace rather then repair, it is discarded, and a new one rolls off the assembly line to take its place. The breakdown of a human machine beyond a point of reasonable repair results in death. The inner spirit knows when to fly off leaving the broken hulk behind. It seems only practical and natural that the universe is full of these inner spirits of the former human machine drivers, and that . . . perhaps, we have wandered too far afield. Beyond this point comes metaphysics. Blood circulates, lungs fill with air, liver filters, stomach digests, hair grows, eyes focus, skin itches, a multitude of functions occur automatically, and simultaneously. No one knows how or why it all works - it just does. Usually, we forget about pumping blood or digesting food and spend our time lightly fashioning thought. But sometimes the body coughs, leaks fluid and drags along much like any machine that has been neglectfully operated. No longer do we hum along smoothly going through the daily routine without becoming concerned about our health. This unhappy situation leaves us with two choices: do little or nothing and ride the machinery into the ground, or undertake a vigorous repair and maintenance program. Nature cures, but she needs cooperation from the patient. |
 MAINTENANCE PROGRAM (a) PROPER REST: the main object is to avoid stress - escape from the practical world: listen to music, go to the theater, read a book (not the newspaper, too aggravating), scan the heavens through a telescope, meditate, sleep. (b) PROPER DIET (very very important): completely eliminate all processed foods, especially sugar and alcohol. Eat less, far more people die of overweight then from starvation. Occasional fasting is beneficial. Here is an insight into dieting by Henry G. Bieler, M. D., from his book Food Is Your Best Medicine (Random House, Inc. 1965) "The average person is mightily disinclined to curtail the diet he has followed all his life. He is not aware that nearly all bad food habits are stimulation habits: that is, the body has almost automatically found out what makes it feel better for a half hour or so and what will mask the depression and fatigue symptoms momentarily. Some people will eat a good deal of salt, others large amounts of meat washed down with cups of strong coffee, while still others rely on sweets or a combination of foods which prove harmful in their individual cases. When I take the stimulation away, the individual feels weak and depressed and headachy temporarily . . . . Without taking this into consideration though, many patients decide that dietary reform just isn't for them. They come to the doctor for immediate relief and instead they feel worse. So they return to their stimulation habits. . . . Every day physicians see unthinking patients who treat their bodies - the most priceless of their possessions - with a reckless abandon of a child breaking a new toy." (c) MEANINGFUL EXERCISE: run regularly! Also do some light stretching exercises whenever the mood strikes you. Running is a safe, natural method to expand your body's limitations. American Indians once thought little of running from Brooklyn to Albany (one hundred miles) to deliver messages. Millions of people have run in marathons (26 miles 385 yards). Everybody knows how to run, running comes naturally, there is no correct way (only a correct regimen - a vigorous one.) The body seems to enjoy, even hunger to run (my body forms pleasant thoughts about running, and this illusion cunningly nudges me out for a run.) Running helps to understand how your body works, how it tries to always get its way - mostly by trickery and illusion; it is life in microcosm. The mind focuses on "right now" and "self". Tomorrow and yesterday are distant, foggy places. Next year and last year are fantasies. History and the future seem fiction without much relevance to ourselves today. We are creatures that wander continually through illusions, reality is obscure and not particularly wanted. We believe only in the senses, unconcerned with reality until it interferes with our illusions. Running shatters the illusion of unlimited self. We are defeated on every run, losing out to reality. Nature is omnipotent, and we, mere mortals. Running is a struggle with yourself, pushing past your illusions, an exercise in mind control which must be mastered before the physical training can begin. Running is real. Go for a short run. Observe your body going through the following transitions: (1) BEFORE YOU START. There is pleasant anticipation, a feeling of unlimited strength, a feeling that today I can run forever, a mind picture, an illusion. (2) START RUNNING, breathing becomes heavy, sweating starts, the heart pounds, there is slight momentary confusion, adrenaline begins to flow. (3) AFTER A DISTANCE, breathlessness becomes acute, pain ( not harmful ) rises, body feigns fatigue, mind sends "time to quit" signals - almost as if the mind at rest realizes what is good for itself, but in action is overruled by complaints from a hard working body. (4) IGNORE CONDITION (3) AND PUSH ON, body and mind settle down, the heart beats - it stops pounding, breathing and sweating become even, akin to a so called second wind. (5) LONG ENDURANCE. Condition (3) and (4) ebb and flow. A run can last indefinitely; people have run for days without stopping. Mind is the limiting factor. |
The human body is driven by two forces: a Now-Force, and a Thinker-Force. The two forces are so entwined as to appear as one. In times of crisis or heavy stress they become acute and contend for control, hence, two frames of mind, muddled decision making, a head full of brave thoughts and feet that fly. The Now-Force controls the body in motion, calories are its currency; this force tries to get the most out of every situation in return for the calories spent. It is unmindful of time, except for right now this second, or at most, the next few minutes. The Now-Force is physically strong and usually dominates the awake hours, but it is weak morally, epicurean in outlook. Left unchecked, this force could quickly bring the body to ruin. The Thinker-Force is strongest with the body completely at rest and unengaged in society. Planning (or scheming) and maintaining a public facade are its prime functions. This force is physically weak, morally strong, stoic in outlook. Envision the Thinker-Force as a flickering candle. Self discipline results by nurturing the Thinker-Force, causing it to have a greater influence over the Now-Force in making and executing decisions. Complaisant and untempered, the evanescent Thinker-Force is easily overwhelmed and continually overruled leaving the Now-Force to blindly wander in the wild. (By example: a resolute dieter at a social gathering, busy being brilliant, posturing and wooing, suddenly becomes aware that he has consumed an entire bowl of chip and dip, and is downing a third martini.) Late at night, lying comfortably in bed, the Thinker-Force burns brightly, foolish mistakes of the past are analyzed, weaknesses are deplored, a new course is clearly envisioned, morning will bring a new leaf. However, in the bright light of day, the domineering Now-Force, strong after a night's rest, assumes control, and disregards new resolutions that call for large energy expenditures on treks through the unknown, risking ridicule, defeat, pain and suffering. The Now-Force, obliged to deprive itself of comfort and pleasure, issues strong discouraging influences. To a new runner, the reward seems light years away, reality imposes limits, the finish line is never. The great project must be pursued to infinity. There is no easy way, but there is a tried and true procedure. People have long understood that good intentions are fleeting frames of mind. Something stronger then a single late night promise is necessary if a person is serious about pursuing a life long quest. Many people reaffirm their personal commitments on a regular basis by practicing rituals. A ritual is an act performed regularly, like doffing a hat to show respect, or shaking hands as a sign of friendship. Some rituals are imposed by outside influences, usually social pressure. Other rituals are self imposed for personal reasons; for example, some people feel a spiritual life is important, so they ritualize prayer. This act reaffirms a commitment (for a life long quest) at regular intervals. They might pray hourly, daily, weekly, etc. (It is interesting to note that prayer rituals usually take place in the dark with candles burning, or at night just before retiring, with the Thinker-Force in ascension). Runners too can benefit from a simple ritual that reaffirms their commitment at regular intervals. The object of this ritual is to concentrate briefly on a given stimulus, suppress the Now-Force and call to the fore the Thinker-Force for a few moments of reflection. Running is not the ritual. Running is the act that the ritual will remind us to perform. Dedicating a few moments every day to mark a JOGGING CHART is the ritual, a ritual that will constantly reaffirm a runners commitment to exercise. Making entries to a chart everyday is as effective for a runner as daily prayer is to a sinner. Neither runner or sinner will ever be perfect, but the constant trying, a continuing dedication to the ritual, is enough to bring desirable results. Running by chart can be compared to sharing bread with the poor, both are actions that stem from a ritual, they bubble up from feelings of doing right. Running then is akin to being good. |
 Once I mistakenly believed that all runners should set their goals for competing in marathons, and a jogging chart measured physical strength. So on went a tedious training program, pushing the miles in every single run. My ego grew as the miles mounted, pain was excruciating. Injuries, sometimes lasting for weeks, began to occur. Then the growth stopped. No longer could I outdo the last top performance. All I could hope for was to repeat. What a disappointment, plenty of pain and no new rewards. Unpleasant thoughts began to stir (usually at about the 10 mile mark) spending the rest of my life training for hours every day, pushing myself to constant pain, was not an appealing way to live. At first, I thought it was just my body complaining, rebelling from the unusually hard effort, but the thought popped up unflaggingly, especially when I was recovering from injuries. Then an injury serious enough to prevent running most of one summer provoked a reassessment of my actions. A physical fitness program was making me physically unfit. A new plan had to be devised with levels that could be maintained for a lifetime. Physical fitness meant just that - and no more. -Running would not build me into superman at some distant point in the future; reason, and not a romantic illusion of an impractical quest should set the agenda. After prolonged reflection, I settled on a maximum number of miles to be tallied in any single run, sufficient for a healthy workout, but well below my full capacity. This new frame of mind was not easy to accept. An invisible task-master drove me on. I thought about how Americans are geared to win. Why play a game you're always going to lose? I read about the Chinese, how they discourage children from wanting to win, playing games for the exercise and social contact. But my roots are buried deep in New York City, where winner is king, loser and victim are interchangeable chides, and serious social contact takes place in the dark. Was I doomed to perpetual failure if running stayed my favorite sport? Must my ego remain forever unstroked? A cure for this moroseness was to find a game that I could win. I gazed at my jogging chart. If I could accumulate more miles this year then last, and never go above the newly imposed limit for a single run, physical strength could be measured yearly instead of daily. Sort of a tortoise and hare approach to a year long race. I knew that this too was an eventual dead end, but the immediate challenge drew me in. I began chipping away at the goal. Day after day numbers were added to the chart, fewer Xs then ever appeared, and when the year was over, lo and behold, I had outperformed my previous best. A new realization had crept into my consciousness as a result of that extended challenge. Clearly, the chart never registered physical strength, instead, the measure was of self discipline, mind and body in harmony producing a joyful opus. Since then, I run regularly throughout the year, not just in season, although, to add the extra time, I struck another bargain with myself, agreeing to lower standards in winter. To date it has been a happy bargain. I have not had a single injury since the plan began. My health and spirit are robust. Running is an enjoyable game that I look forward to playing until my dying day. |
 Soldiering, an ancient art even to the Romans, once required strong men to fight battles. Soldiers had to wade into a sea of armed men and cut down the enemy with heavy swords, struggling for hours, sometimes days. Survival of the fittest, to them, was more then just a theory by the poet Lucretius. Training men to reach the peak of their potential is a skill passed down, hand to hand, by a society know as drill sergeants. They are trained, and in turn train others, and so on, in unbroken chains that revert to a time before writing was developed. (Similar to how Gregorian chant was passed on before the invention of musical notation.) Only methods of proven efficiency are deemed worthy of emulation. Since training methods determine the qualities of individual soldiers, and thereby determine the ability of an army to fight, poorly trained armies are soon defeated and their faulty training methods buried with them, while well trained armies prevail, and their successful methods are passed on. I received the benefit of some well-honed training at the hands of the jump school sergeants of Fort Benning, Georgia. Running was a very important part of training (as with the Roman army centuries before) in fact, walking was strictly prohibited. Every move a "trainee" made was with a maximum expenditure of energy. I shall not dwell on gruesome tales of long physical training sessions, let it suffice to point out, if anybody at all (in a group of about 500) made the slightest mistake, everybody within shouting distance of a drill sergeant was condemned ("drop" was the term used) to doing pushups until the sergeant found it too tedious to watch. Everybody made lots of mistakes, so the days were passed mostly on the run or, at rest, doing pushups. (We even ran through the mess hall. The cry was "eat it now, chew it latter.") The human body (although "trainees" weren't considered human) was forced to exert tremendous amounts of energy. Say what you will about the army, but I can attest to the efficiency of their methods, still an avid runner more then twenty years after jump school, old habits, like old army clothing, refuse to die. Army training tries to instill an attention to duty, respect for authority, and rigid self discipline; from this distance, one out of three isn't too bad. The following beginner's plan for runners is derived from military training methods, however, some potent accouterments are not readily available, like a drill sergeant shouting out cadence or the pounding rhythm of countless boot soles slapping the road as one (soldiers wear heavy boots not comfy jogging shoes.) While a drill sergeant's cadence and a crowded formation appear to be nonessentials, think again. Even now, I am prone to starting a run with a drag-foot shuffle that makes a distinct sound, allowing adjustment to a rhythm well ingrained in my being. If no one is around, I might chant under my breath. When a steep hill wears me down, I slow down to a shuffle, chant and puff, this seems to settle my breathing and renew my energy for another hard push. Always, there are illusionary mind pictures; I imagine myself in a trudging multitude of sweating monks pushing over the next hill chanting along with the high priest appealing for strength. |
 Work out four or five days a week. Forever is a long time, so easy-does-it. Try not to sabotage your efforts by emulating Hercules for a few overenthusiastic days, and then feeling like Methuselah from the overwhelming aches and pains. Think of running as a part-time job working for yourself, with life long employment and plenty of benefits. Set a moderate goal. As time goes by, as the moderate goal becomes easy, then raise your sights a little higher. Remember, there are good days and bad days, what was easy yesterday may be hell tomorrow. At the beginning, they might all seem like bad days, but hang in there, the good days are just over the next hill. Last but not least, there will be no drill sergeant to harangue you, no peer pressure to force you, no buddy in the next rank to encourage you on, no inflexible schedule to compel you, no bugler to rouse you out of bed in the morning; all these services you will have to provide for yourself. The shuffle is about as slow as one can go and not be walking. To shuffle, stand with back erect, elbows bent, forearms parallel to the ground, feet side by side about four inches apart. (Practice in place): roll your right foot forward onto the toes by lifting the heel and bending the right knee. In this position the right heel should be elevated and the toes touching the ground, the left foot still flat in place. Roll the right foot back to the starting position. Repeat the action with the left foot. Alternate the action - right left, right left - until you comprehend the motion, then move forward slowly. Swing your hips rhythmically, toes should lightly scrape the ground. Take as much bounce as possible out of the motion - replace bounce with swing. You should be able to mumble your favorite chant to this rhythm, dragging out the vowels: (L-R) (L-R) (L)-(R) (L-R) (L) - (R) (L) - (R) (L) - (R) (L-R) (Heyy) (Heyy) (L) (B) (Jayy) (how) (many) (kids) (did) (ya) (kill) (toodayy.) I never believed him completely innocent. John Kennedy was my Commander in Chief. RUNS #1 THROUGH #5: run in place for five minutes. Lift your knees high, put out enough energy to work up a sweat. Also practice the shuffle for a few minutes. RUNS #6 THROUGH #15: shuffle down the road for five minutes. Control your breathing and your thinking - pay close attention to your motion. As your mind wanders your stride tends to widen and quicken. Resist this tendency. Keep your mind focused on maintaining a slow, even rhythm for the full five minutes. RUNS #16 THROUGH #30: double the distance to ten minutes. Concentrate on shuffling the first five minutes, then let your mind wander and push on another five minutes. "Push on" means to relax the strict self-control of a shuffle, letting your body move in a more natural gait. RUNS #31 THROUGH #101: double the distance again to twenty minutes. Try it once. If it is very difficult, return to the previous level for several runs, then try again. Shuffle until you feel warmed-up, then push on. If you are tiring, then snap back to a controlled shuffle, -recuperate, and push on again. Keep alternating from a controlled shuffle to a natural gait to a controlled shuffle. DO NOT WALK! Train yourself when tiring, to maintain at least a slow shuffle. If you must walk, terminate the run at that point. Alternate running and walking may seem beneficial on the surface, but it is destructive psychologically. Your mind will always give up long before your body is exhausted. "Time to quit" pops to mind as soon as your body senses discomfort. Your job is to sweep that thought out of your head and keep the body moving for the full measure of the run. When you tire, slow down to a shuffle. To walk is to quit. BEYOND #101 TO REGULAR RUNNING: adjust your running time to 30-40 minutes (about 2 or 3 miles at a gentle pace.) Remember to alternate from shuffle to natural gait to shuffle. Some days you may breeze through the measure, on other days it is much more difficult. There is no accounting for this phenomenon. Sigmund Freud thought his strength varied with cycles of the moon, biorhythm experts have other ideas. My guess is that our highs and lows are somehow connected to chemical activity generated by moods, life style, diet, or any number of everyday indiscretions. At any rate, begin ignoring your watch and tuning into body rhythm. Beyond 101 runs you are no longer a beginner. |
 (1) Strive to make running a lifelong habit. "RUNS THIS YEAR" on the chart, is the most important number in your quest for fitness. Run a few miles each time and run every day possible throughout each year. The ultimate goal is consistency, make running a daily grind until it becomes habitually ingrained. (2) Never run with an injury or with fever. To do so may cause serious complications. (Though common aches and pains should be ignored.) (3) Speed does not count for anything - leave your stopwatch at home. (4) Running does not build a person into superhuman. We are mortals, and no more; running on a regular schedule helps any person feel in top form at any age. (5) Mark your chart everyday; this will encourage the discipline for regular running. The whole idea is that taking the time to mark an X reaffirms your commitment, and presents a powerful inducement to run. But you have to mark the chart to feel the inducement! Hang the chart where you will see it at least once a day without having to hunt for it. Mine is hanging inside the clothes closet, I see it every morning when dressing. (6) Breathing under normal conditions is an involuntary, self regulating action. As bodily activity increases, the respiratory system automatically steps up the airflow by,
But, the lungs never reach full capacity by self regulation. If, while running, the self regulating mechanism within the breathing system controls the airflow, an insufficient amount of air enters the body and the runner quickly tires. Oxygen is the refreshing agent. Running pushes many bodily systems to the limit, so air intake and discharge must be maximized. Efficient operation of the lungs will not happen automatically. Breathing while running must be strictly controlled and the lungs deliberately operated at full capacity. Air must be forced in and out, expanding and contracting the lungs fully, inhaling and exhaling through the nose. (Bring tissues on every run.) Breathing should be smooth, deep and even paced, not choppy or panting. Neglecting to control the breathing procedure results in the body starving for oxygen. Shortness of breath is no more then poor breathing control. The runner should take charge of the breathing system from the first step of the exercise, inhaling fully and exhaling deeply without holding the breath at any point, and working the lungs like a bellows, pulling air in and out through the nose. Breathing in this manner while the body is at rest, say sitting in a chair, will bring on dizziness. But when running, the extra air keeps the body refreshed. (7) To run further, slow down. When pain and breathlessness overcome you, slow down all the way to a shuffle. Don't walk - to walk is to quit. To recover, breathe in sharply through the nose and blow out hard through the nose; try not to inhale or gulp air through the mouth; snorting air out then inhaling deeply and smoothly through the nose then snorting out again repeatedly, is far more effective, and invigorating then ventilating through the mouth. (8) When "quit quit quit" is flashing in your mind, assess your position: are you traveling up hill? (Long gradual inclines are difficult to detect, and cause the body to groan and complain.) Breath deeply and hang in there until the top; going downhill, you'll feel like a new person. When feeling frisky try the football player's style of running: in short spurts, kick the knees up high, bring each leg down sharply, pick it up again quickly, (this is an up and down motion not long strides. The feet should not pass behind the body.) Pump the legs like pistons - concentrate on rhythm, carry yourself erect - kick, pump and fly like the wind. (9) Cold weather comes as a shock after a lazy New York summer. A cold blast reawakens shades of reality sound asleep in summer balm. The days shorten, tempo of life quickens. The first cold winds carry off many living things. Dress properly in this season and avoid a chill. The changing temperature has a powerful effect on the human body. When the temperature dips into the fifties, add a woolen shirt or a woolen sweater. (Save old woolen clothes - wool keeps in body heat even when wet.) On very cold days, long johns under the woolen sweater become appropriate. When dressing to run, care not a fig for color or style, wear different colored gloves or that hat everyone hates if you dare. Exercise time is exempt from convention. (10) Never over anticipate the warm weather. In the spring season, it is not unusual to have a series of beautiful days. Don't strip off those warm clothes too early. Donning shorts and tee shirt prematurely just to get into a warm weather frame of mind will result in catching a cold. Wait until the weather actually turns hot, then dress skimpy - show your tan - worship the sun. |
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JOGGING CHART 
To Open My Jogging Chart in a Separate Window Follow the instructions in the My Jogging Chart window to print the chart |
FOOTNOTE This treatise on RUNNING was originally written in 1984 when my habitude for the sport had reached the 23 year mark. As the new century turns, I am still an avid jogger, and in fact, after nearly 40 years of persistence, it may be impossible to discontinue the practice. So the obvious questions are: has 40 years of the running sport benefited me? can I with earnest conviction recommend the experience to others? if I were to live my life over, would the zeal for another solitary effort rekindle in my loins? |
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© 1984 Joseph Tiraco HTML version © 1999 Joseph Tiraco |
