Running Gets Your Dog High Too?!?

Apparently pooches can attain the ever-sought-after “runner’s high.” Dogs, much like their human counterparts, can feel a natural high that resembles the high of marijuana. 

Running increases the levels of endocannabinoids in the blood. These chemicals, which also are found in marijuana, provide the dog with a euphoric feeling. WHO KNEW? For more on Fido and the “runner’s high,” check out this article.

I don’t know about you, but I do know that I love taking a pooch with me when I run….most of the time. There are times when the little monsters can be a tornado weaving back and forth, in front of and behind me, leaving me to play jump rope with the leash and destroying my speed. Still I love dogs and must take them for runs with me.

When we first started running, my dog Sonny was running two or three miles a day with me. As we started to tack on more mileage, I began to worry about the toll it would have on her: Is she too hot? Does she need water? Did that glass we just ran over cut her little paws? Is the pavement too hot for her?

I was a newish dog owner back then, and I didn't know much about taking my pup for runs. I decided to see what the “experts” had to say. There was quite a bit of useful information out there. 

Doggie Physical:

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take Fido to the Doggie Doctor before you take him for a run! If Fido is a puppy, his bones may need some time to fully develop before he can join in the fun. On the other side, if you have an older Fido, get him checked out to see if he is run-ready. In any case, get your dog examined first!

Breed Limitations:
Make sure to know about Fido’s breed. Certain breeds are just not distance runners; they’re sprinters. Take my dog, for example: Sonny is a border collie, a true distance runner. But even border collies have their limitations. In the cooler temps of fall or spring, Sonny can run four miles with ease. In hot, humid temperatures, sometimes by mile 2 I’m dragging my hot and panting pooch to some shade and water. Do your research first and consider the limitations and special needs of the breed.

Coat Color:
A Fido who is at the darker end of the color spectrum will retain heat more than their lighter-colored counterparts. Be cognizant of this and have water available during the run, especially if it is going to last more than 45 minutes in the heat. 

Humans are able to sweat and cool their bodies. All dogs can do is pant and utilize the sweat glands at the bottoms of their feet. If you're out with Fido in the hot summer sun, simply carry a squirt bottle. There is no excuse to not have water when your best friend needs it most.

Your Dog Is High As Hell!

Since your little Fido is going to be as high as a kite, he won’t know what in the heck is going on. If you are having a hard time controlling a blitzed-out Fido, then shorten the leash on that darting daredevil and dance a little closer.  

While on a run, make sure Fido stays aware of you and you of him; we don’t want any injuries in this blissfully symbiotic relationship. 

On the loosey-goosey:
I love to run in places where Fido can explore and be free! There is something about running leash-less with the pack that seems to keep the buzz from fading.  

Communication:
Fido can speak in many nonhuman ways: barking, whining, grunts, etc. Unfortunately, humans don’t always speak or understand dog language very well. 

Please pay attention to Fido’s body language. If he is limping, foaming at the mouth, slowing down or getting glassy-eyed, Fido is working way too hard. Cut your poor little buddy a break. Remember he’s high! 

Fido can have a blast on runs, but he needs structure, routine and guidance. Remember: you're the pack leader. If you're always mindful and don't hesitate to give Fido a cool-down or even cut the run short when he's struggling, then you'll have a red-eyed running partner for a very long time.

20 Bananas A Day

I eat about 20 bananas per day...sometimes more. Oh my god, that's just way too many bananas, right?!? 

I've lost 50 pounds in 6 months and am performing at my physical best. I have way more energy to train harder and longer, which makes me sleep better. I'm no longer sore for days after hard training sessions. My recovery time is now counted in hours and happens overnight, while I sleep. 

My general cravings for foods and beverages have drastically changed. After just a week or two, I went from eating anything and everything to becoming a vegetarian with vegan tendencies. 

I've quit drinking alcohol and any other beverages besides water, 100% fruit juice, and banana smoothies. My digestive system has been reset to normal, and overall, I'm feeling more at peace with myself and my surroundings.

I literally owe the majority of my well-being to the banana. It is the high-octane fuel of my life! For months now, bananas are the only food I've eaten all day long, nothing but bananas from the time I wake up all the way to the dinner bell. 

My daily routine is drinking an 8-banana smoothie (bananas, ice and water) for breakfast and one for lunch. I peel and eat more bananas throughout the day if the smoothies aren't enough. 

At dinner I eat vegetarian meals, plus fish occasionally...more on eating in later posts. Eating lots of bananas a day gives me the energy I need to run hard and not feel groggy, bogged down or unsatisfied. 

Bananas contain three natural sugars--sucrose, fructose and glucose--combined with fiber. A banana gives a substantial boost of energy, both instantaneous and sustained. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.

No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help you keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize your heartbeat, sends oxygen to your brain and regulates your body's water balance. When you are stressed, your metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing your potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken with people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that your body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier. Bananas can help one particular type of depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan. 

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm your nervous system and balance your energy levels. 

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in your blood to prevent or alleviate anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to reduce blood pressure--so much so that the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Strokes:
According to research, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.

Brain Power:
Research has proven that the potassium-packed fruit assists in learning and memorization by making you more alert.

Constipation:
Because bananas are high in fiber, adding them to your diet can help restore normal bowel action, ending constipation without the need for laxatives.

Warts:

Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the peel in place with a Band-Aid or tape!

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is to make a banana smoothie. The banana calms the stomach and builds up depleted blood sugar levels and electrolytes, soothing and rehydrating your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in your body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

PMS:
For all the ladies out there! Forget the pills and eat some bananas. The vitamin B6 in bananas regulates blood glucose levels to lift your mood, and the potassium relieves muscle cramping. 

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas in the morning and between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up, which can reduce morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: 
Before reaching for the insect-bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation. 

Overweight and hard at work:
Studies have found that pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food such as chocolate and chips. To avoid panic-induced food cravings, control your blood sugar levels by snacking on handy, high-carbohydrate bananas every two hours to keep levels steady. Remember, bananas don't make you fat! Fat makes you fat! 

In order to reap all of the benefits from a banana, it is important to eat it when it is ripe! Leave your bananas on the counter and wait for them to turn yellow and spot. The spots in banana #7 below mean it's time to eat!

So, a banana really is the natural remedy for many ills. Compared to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. 

Maybe it's time to change that well-known phrase to, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

The Disgusting Part Of Running

Blood, Sweat & Tears . . .

I have almost never had a long run that did not include some degree of bleeding. Whether it's blisters on my ankles and feet, my shoes rubbing off my toenails or good old-fashioned road rash, there will be blood. 

In fact, it's such an appropriate theme for marathon running,  I've made it my theme song. Blood, sweat and tears. Once I have all three, I know I'm having a good run.

For chafing, I've found the best and most affordable product  is Vaseline. Just slather on any area that needs protection and head out down the road. 

. . . Spit, Snot, Pus, Farts & Burps . . .
Now let me make one thing clear: burping, spitting, snot-rockets and farting are all socially acceptable while training and racing with others. Something is gonna erupt; it's part of the sport. When you're out there, bouncing around for hours on end, there are going to be some side effects.

. . . And Then There's Pee . . . 
There are two options when it comes to peeing. You either find cover somewhere and go or you just simply slow your pace and let 'er rip. I don't pee in my pants when I run but some people during a race don't mind one bit. I'm not that crazy about shaving off my time, so I prefer option one.

. . . And, Uh, Vomit . . .
As for me, I have a super strong stomach when it comes to losing my cookies while running. It has happened a couple times, once when I overheated running midday in the Nicaraguan sun and humidity and once after some intense interval training. I was able to stop myself from a full-on vomit fest, but definitely gave a few heaves in that direction. 

Vomiting is a part of running hard. I do think you ought to have had at least a couple bouts of running-induced nausea before you can officially call yourself a runner.

. . . Followed (Sometimes) by Runners' Trots

Yes! Diarrhea is a major concern for many athletes, particularly those in running sports, of which almost everyone has suffered from the dreaded “oh, shit, I gotta shit" moment. I have never pooped my pants while on a run. But some have. 

I'll spare you one particularly awful Boston Marathon photo, featuring a competitor with excrement running down her leg, crying, but still running. I'm far from bashful, but that is dedication I'm not sure I have. 

Running jostles and reduces blood flow to the intestines as the body sends more blood to the exercising muscles. This stimulates changes in intestinal hormones that signal it's time to go. Becoming dehydrated exacerbates the problem. Add  pre-existing bowel issues, and you are even more likely to find yourself "pinching it" and praying for some porcelain.

A very quick transition happens in all runners when it comes to their beliefs in the occasional outdoor "quick squat and plop." I've had to get comfortable with taking a crap in some very awkward places. Sometimes it's been just off the trail in the jungle or forest where cover is a few steps away. But in an emergency, taking cover under an overpass or ducking behind some poor old soul's parked car is the only way things  can work themselves out. 

On days when I'm feeling a little irritable, I pack toilet paper. Never use leaves! Countless people have paid the price after dragging leaves up their cracks. I always wear a bandanna, which I know I could turn to in a pinch, and I've heard that smooth (emphasis on smooth!) rocks do a terrific job as well.

So, if you want to run long distances, you should probably suspend your fear of bodily functions because, well, it's natural. You'll soon discover that whenever you see a stray turd in a strange place you won't have to stop and ask yourself, What kind of sick-o would crap right here? You already know it was probably some crazy runner, bounding around, on a natural high, giving a crap. But not really.

United States Of Dehydration

Water is second only to air in its importance to human survival, and yet more than 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated, leaving us at risk for a wide range of chronic dis-eases. And while we breathe involuntarily, hydration always is a conscious choice.

Who would guess that becoming healthier and staying that way could be as easy as drinking water?  Studies have proven that drinking enough water provides these benefits: 

• Furnishes the means for nutrients to travel to your organs and tissues.
• Lessens addictive urges for caffeine, drugs, alcohol and other substances.
• Helps with weight management by lessening urges to overeat and stopping hunger pains.
• Slows down the aging process, including memory loss.
• Supports efficient cell repair and promotes smoother skin.
• Lubricates joints and eases discomfort from arthritis and other aches and pains.
• Allows the body to sweat adequately.
• Carries toxins to the kidneys and liver for removal.
• Makes the digestive system work more easily and efficiently.
• Provides blood cells with proper oxygen supplies for better muscular function and mental clarity.
• Regulates body temperature.

Taking in too little water or losing too much leads to dehydration. Symptoms of mild dehydration include thirst, joint and muscle pain, constipation, and headaches. 

You lose water through respiration, urination and perspiration. Diuretics, such as caffeine, alcohol and certain medications, increase the amount of water your body loses. Not replacing those fluids leads to a number of side effects--including death.

Water is by far the best choice for rehydration. It's free, abundantly available almost anywhere and has no calories or added ingredients. I drink nothing but water for hydration, but often add in 100% fruit juices if I need a boost in electrolytes during or after long workouts and runs. 

My daily consumption is around 8-12 bottles (16 ounces each) of water per day. I drink more if I am losing fluids rapidly while training or on hot days.

If you have to read the label of something that you are eating or drinking, then you shouldn't be eating or drinking it!

How much water do I need to drink? Many studies have determined the ideal amount of water per person per day. A number of factors contribute to this value. Use this handy Hydration Calculator to get a good idea of how much water to personally consume daily. 

Can I drink too much water? An adult human can process up to 15 liters of water per day safely. If you find yourself drinking more than this amount, then you need medical attention.

The most common gauge of hydration level is the color of your urine. If it isn't clear or nearly so, you should be uncapping that water bottle more regularly. A very light yellow tint in urine is fine. The "hydration level color test" is really that easy! Just keep in mind that if you are taking certain vitamins and supplements, the color test won't be accurate.

Here are some ideas on how to remember to drink more water throughout the day:

• Always have a few reusable bottles of water in the fridge and carry them with you whenever you leave the house. Make a game out of refilling your water bottle whenever water is available and free.  
• Drink water instead of soft drinks, coffee and energy drinks, which are all ultimately toxic and dehydrating.
• Try setting alarms or computer reminders hourly to tell you to drink more water until it becomes a habit.
• Set personal triggers to drink more water. When your phone rings, when you stretch after workouts, and when your TV show cuts to a commercial, drink up!
• Lobby for a water cooler in your workplace.
• Try club soda for water with a little zip.
• Prepare naturally flavored water in advance for a change.

Drink water before, during and after your meals! Drinking enough water is one of the most important factors to having good health, regulating weight and keeping your energy up. 

Try making "plain old water" your only fluid for a few days and drink enough so your urine stays clear. I guarantee it will change the way you feel about hydration and your overall well-being. 

Making the switch to drinking lots of water is the most important thing I've done to improve my own health! Water is my new favorite word, and I'm proud to order water as my drink of choice.

   

Homemade Massage Therapy

I tried every technique and stretch to alleviate the aches and pains in my knees and back that I experienced after long runs. I couldn't get it to fade until I found "foam rolling." If I'm not using my  foam roller, then I'm probably harboring soreness and stiffness in your body that could otherwise be removed in a matter of moments.

"Foam rolling" is a form of self-myofascial release (SMR) that targets tense and overstressed muscles, providing similar benefits to those received during a deep tissue massage. With the pressure created by my own body weight, I can use a foam roller on all parts of my body to release the muscle knots that  caused my tightness and soreness.

I use every chance I get to make my own homemade physical training tools and a foam roller is no exception. Foam rollers vary in firmness, come in all sizes and retail in stores from $10 up to $50. Of course, I don't spend these exorbitant prices on training tools when I can make them myself. I spent less than 10 minutes and used household supplies to make my own. Foam is not necessary; I used sand. If you don't have sand, use rice.

You don't need a video for this homemade foam roller; it's easy. All you need is a plastic 2-liter bottle, sand, electrical or duct tape, and an old shirt or towel. Fill the plastic bottle with sand until the desired firmness is reached and put the cap on.

Wrap the fabric around the bottle, leaving access to the opening This way, you can adjust the firmness simply by adding or removing sand. Tape the shirt or towel down securely at the top and bottom. That's all! Now go get some relief with your free, homemade foam roller.

Dave Trent

Here is an instructional video where Scott Herman shows you how to use your new foam roller!

After watching this video, I mastered the techniques easily.

Zen Yoga

Zen Yoga Studios, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

One of the quickest ways for me to start feeling more alive is by facing my fears and taking on new challenges. I had always wanted to experience yoga but could never work up the courage to go to a class. What if I'm not in good enough shape and I can't do some of the poses? Is wearing spandex a requirement? I don't practice Buddhism and I feel a little uncomfortable with the "uhmms" at the end of a class. 

I finally starting facing my fears and enrolled in a yoga class. At the beginning, I learned the basic poses and stretches and how to incorporate mindful breathing for a deeper, more holistic experience. After my first two classes, I became more flexible, developed better balance, and began running farther and faster.

My overall physical performance is improving by leaps and bounds each time I practice. I now recognize the little voice that had once kept me from testing the boundaries of my comfort zone. Most importantly, I am mastering how to silence that insecure voice.

I learned especially how to put things into perspective. While I was the beginner yogi back then, I see new people come into that position at every class. They learn, they practice and they grow. I know the strength it takes to come to an unfamiliar place and do something you don't quite understand in a room full of strangers, and I know how happy they're going to be that they did it.

I am so thankful to the owners of Zen Yoga in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua for putting together such a beautiful studio with such a warm, inviting and passionate staff. Six months ago, after ten years of battling a heavy addiction problem, I found myself in this little beach town in southwestern Nicaragua in search of sobriety, long-lost physical fitness and general peace of mind. Yoga, like running, becomes a lifestyle.

Thank you to the passionate team of people who have made each of my visits to Zen Yoga a new learning experience in my life. My time with you guys has assisted me in finding my peace, joy and inner strength.

Life is a joy once you learn to breathe through the uncomfortable moments. Find out for yourself. Go sign up for a yoga class today. Some studios offer your first session free! For a "homemade" twist, follow along to your favorite yoga practice on YouTube. Below is a video that I like to practice along with, for free, at home.

Dave Trent

View Video:

Homemade Huarache Running Sandals

The Tarahumara Indians run hundreds of miles through the Copper Canyons of the Sierra Madres wearing these fancy sandals?!?

Born To Run, the book that inspired me to become a long-distance runner, describes the epic runs of this Mexican tribe in huaraches. However, I have to admit I was a little skeptical at first about making my own sandals and running comfortably for any real distance. 

Fifteen minutes into the test run and my running partner Bob turns to tell me what a drastic difference he sees in my posture, smooth stride and a plastered-on smile. Every time I run with these I'm instantly filled with a playful spirit that doesn't fade under the persistent patter of countless miles. 

The thing to remember when you transition into running sandals or minimalist shoes is the transition period. This type of footwear is called 'zero-drop' because there is no height difference between the toe and the heel. I did experience some soreness in my calves and thighs for the first few weeks; this soreness results from the full extension of the leg muscles. 

I made the transition slowly, embracing the pain and trusting in what everyone is finally waking up to: minimalist footwear gives a more natural running experience, closer to that of the Tarahoomara Indians.  

The payoff and pleasure I've found in minimalist running have been well worth the pain of transition. I like the comfort of my whole foot being enclosed in a minimalist shoe (New Balance MT110 ) a lot of the time , but I love to rotate these homemade sandals into my weekly running cycle whenever I feel like having some fun.

Dave Trent

Watch Videos

Here's how to make them:

Part 1: Homemade Huarache Running Sandals 

Part 2: Homemade Huarache Running Sandals

Part 3: Homemade Huarache Running Sandals

Supplies: 1/4"Nylon Twine & any old rubber

(even carpet scraps or old floor mats work)

DON'T OVERTHINK THESE...JUST 

MAKE A PAIR AND RUN!

Get High The Homemade Way

Running reduces life down to its natural elements and puts me in tune with my body in a way few other exercise programs can match. When I first began running, I found out very quickly how I performed under physical stress and how much of it I could take. Running forced me to learn how to meditate and rise over pain.

When I first started training for a half marathon, it didn't take long to start defining my feelings of pain. I learned quickly how to determine the difference between real discomfort signaling a serious injury and stiffness that works itself out after the first few miles. I learned to acknowledge pain when it shows up, but more importantly how to keep breathing and to relax in the midst of its presence. I have become spiritually recharged as I've learned how to push myself beyond my prior limits without risking injury, and my body has taught me when to back off and give it a rest.

Now to get high! When I push past the first few miles in a run I'll usually start to feel "the runner's high." This is a chemical reaction that happens in the brain and body, often experienced by runners, where the physical exertion goes beyond pain and transforms into pure pleasure. It's hard to put into words, but you know when you get there because you can literally run for miles in a blissful state of motion and emotion.

On the right day, with the right music in my headphones and the "high" starting to surge, it can literally bring me to tears. This high is better than any buzz I've caught while drinking and doing drugs. Now I get a higher "high" for free every day, and the "high" lasts long after I've gone the distance.

Distance running isn't always a spiritual high, where you feel as if you are floating across the ground effortlessly like in some sort of lucid dream. Some days can be a brutal ass-kicking, where every step is a struggle between exhausting victory or honorable defeat. No matter how hard or easy it might seem on any given day, each run always challenges my mind and my body, leaving my spirit feeling at peace and restored to a sense of complete serenity.

I've learned that the lessons I master by running and the lessons I struggle with in life are the same. The key is to always keep moving forward and continue to endure. I won't make it to the finish line any other way. I feel empowered to be continually learning how to endure pain and keep moving toward my goal. 

On any given day I may love or hate the run I find myself on, but I always love the way that running makes me feel for the rest of the day. I know that being a runner makes me walk a little taller with a certain kind of confidence that doesn't come from anything else. Being a runner has made me strong of body and mind and will never lead me astray from a path to a healthier and happier life! 

Dave Trent

Taking Time To Feed My Soul

Six months ago I found myself asking the questions: How can I find a way to relax and enjoy my life again? Where has my passion gone? How do I live a soul-guided life with more purpose and meaning?

  


My over-all "daily grind" and means of existence had my soul screaming for simplicity.  With things in my life becoming busier, more expensive and more complicated daily, I neglected to take the time to feed my soul. In return, my good health, sanity, joy and purpose in life soon all became a distant memory. Simplifying my life down to its basics has led me on the fast track to a soul-guided and joy-filled lifestyle. 


In the last six months I quit my job and sold everything I owned other than a travel backpack with the basics--clothes ,toothbrush, running shoes--and moved to Nicaragua from the United States. I changed my diet completely and quit drinking after 10 years of being an alcoholic.  I have no cell phone or computer except through outside resources. I stopped watching and reading the news. I left everyone and everything I had known or had become accustomed to  in search of my true spiritual self. 


This journey has led me down a path of insight that has revealed my true identity--not one based on monetary goals but rather on spiritual goals or a way to follow a soul-guided life. In the process, I've learned to live life with relative ease where before I struggled at every turn. I've learned to cope with everyday stresses and have built beautiful, long-lasting relationships with the people around me.


An excess 50 pounds has melted from my body, and I have more energy to experience my life and the adventures it holds. I now do yoga regularly and have become an avid runner. My overall sanity, happiness and soul-guided purpose have come alive naturally as I have simplified my way of life and taken the time to reconnect with what's necessary and not with those things that are arbitrary. I have come alive again!


As I share a few areas in my life where I have benefited most by simplifying, I encourage you to take a good look at your own life and ask yourself where you can do the same. What  habits, choices and beliefs guide your investment of time and energy? Are there ways to let go of the beliefs and try to make friends once again with the basics?


If nothing else, stay open-minded to new possibilities and try some of them out on your own. Make one small change at a time or all at once but stick with your program. I assure you that the rewards will be significant!

Dave Trent 

Simplicity & Spiritual Enlightenment

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Each post that follows is an an invitation to re-create simplicity in our lives with the purpose of rediscovering our own unique happiness, health and passions.

Taking small steps to simplify our lives can restore our sense of vitality and joy. The key is to realize that happiness has not vanished but has been buried under the clutter and stress of our hurried lives, leaving our bodies destroyed, our minds stressed and our spirits depleted.

Simplicity is a limitless gift we can give ourselves again and again over a lifetime. Living a more simplistic lifestyle is not only more economical and practical, but also profoundly illuminating and the source of my daily inspiration. This personal journey has shown me a direct link between simplicity and spiritual enlightenment.

There is a better way that is simpler, more relaxed and vastly more rewarding physically, emotionally and spiritually. The process takes some planning and motivation but little labor. 

In fact, a simpler life takes less effort because it clears away debris and allows us to concentrate our energy on the things that bring us happiness. Men and women who simplify their lives discover that their senses sharpen, their health improves, and they become more loving, compassionate and more at peace with themselves and their surroundings.

These are my personal accounts and journey on how to live life while providing for material needs as simply and directly as possible. I'll talk about how to separate needs from wants and spend wisely while pursuing non-materialistic forms of happiness and meaning.

Dave Trent