afordrunning

Please understand that I try not to be a person who stereotypes other people based on their body. Also please understand that I am a 12 year old boy at heart and walk around all day wondering who I could still beat in a foot race. I am a paradox of judgmental natures, and for this I apologize… sorta. The sad part is that I never even get to race anyone really. But, could you imagine some dude in a sweater vest walking up to you and saying, “You want to race?” The looks on the people’s faces would be priceless wouldn’t it?

“You mean, like in a car?”

“No, no. I mean right here in our business attire in the airport terminal. I’ll race you to Auntie Anne’s Pretzels over there and the loser buys.”

“Uhm, do I know you?”

I digress, and here out of the blue – the point is. Why do skinny people look bored? Has anyone else ever noticed this? Not all skinny people – but a lot. Unless they are on TV smiling like Ryan Seacrest they look like they are seconds away from contemplating a nap. Medium size people don’t look this bored…my big boned brothers also look fairly engaged with life. It’d be too easy to point at the diet and say, oh they need something to eat. Not true…your diet shouldn’t make you more or less of a boring person – unless you are a cannibal. If you are a cannibal you SHOULD pretend to be bored to lull your food into a sense of lethargy so you can pounce on them and dine.

Holy cow – I just figured it out, skinny people are cannibals.

Check out this quick survey I created for a speech next week on social media. A little feedback would be killer…

Survey is closed…thanks for taking it…I’ll post the results soon

The media maelstrom that is the Olympics. Mobile transactions. U.S. Presidential election. Each will be closely watched for impact in the marketplace, not merely interaction or responses. I have a deeper article coming about this, but just had to get it out.

Today’s free idea is a little more challenging than last weeks. This idea is transformative and simple.

I recommend you go out and spray paint a public space. Here’s why this is a big idea – even if it’s not revolutionary. Three things must occur when you decide to go spray paint a public space.

1. You have to get over (or not) the idea of doing this in a public space. Would you choose something obvious like a wall that’s already been tagged multiple times? Do you find the most hidden fire hydrant in your city? Are you willing to break the norm, or maybe the rules for a creative exercise? This will push your boundaries.

2. You have to get out of your car. You can’t spray paint something from a moving vehicle. This would require you to walk around and exist within a physical space that you might not have interacted with before. I find the minute you start looking for a place to put your work, you start noticing little nuances of that you can’t get from driving by. This changes your perspective.

3. You have to consider your audience. Who will see your work? What will they think? Will you simply leave your name on a sidewalk? Will you leave a heart on a billboard? Will you be a graffiti artist or just spread graffiti? This pushes you creatively.

A free idea on Friday, just remember to snap a pic of your work for me.

Everyone could use a little treat as we head into the weekend. I’ve decided that for the next few weeks I will give away one free idea every Friday to help you celebrate. Now, before we all get to excited about the nature of the gift let me state:

• it is free
• it did come from my head (several crazy ideas live there)
• it most likely won’t be worth anything!

That said, here is today’s free idea. It’s the premise for a story I would call “The Carnivorous Koala Bear”

It’s the perfect entertaining marriage of vampire/wolf-like creature with a little huggable fluffy Koala bear. Think of it like “Chucky meets Underworld”. I think this story should be targeted at grade-school kids in a picture book format. Something that draws them in with big pretty pictures and light, happy words. Here’s how the storyline could role out:

Starts with the baby Koala Bear – how cute and cuddly. “Oh, look he’s trying to open his eyes, awwwwww.”

Slowly, over the next few pages – something is not quite right about this little Koala. Have you noticed he doesn’t like eucalyptus leaves and he seems surlier than the other Koala’s?”

Next couple of pages – the dialogue shifts to zoo keepers wondering why some of the smaller animals are going missing and, “Why is this little Koala bear smell so pungent all the time… and have you noticed he’s a bit pissy? ”

Finally, the climax of the story  – one of the handlers accidentally cuts himself prior to caring for our little carnivorous Koala, “Hey, little fella are you trying to clean my hand up? Ok, that’s enough, let trainer Dave have his hand back. My what sharp teeth you have for a marsupial. HEY, that hurts! AHHHHHHAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH My HAND!! AND MY NECK! glurg, glug…death”

You know, something like that. For the kids!

Took all three kids to my 13 year old’s High School orientation last night. (One thing I will say unrelated to this post, is that teachers need to work on their Power Point skills. From my point of view, your words say “cutting edge leadership in education”, your ppt. says “I just found clip art.”)

Sitting there with the guys trading looks and giggles, and knowing glances at the teenager as the administration discussed certain classes it dawned on me that I really LIKE these guys. Not a pat on my back either. I mean God bless the people investing in our kids, the teachers (presentation skills aside), the relatives, the coaches, the Sunday School teachers, the Youth Group leaders. They are helping form their futures. And as a former youth development professional with the Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes I know how important it is to have a greater cloud of witnesses supporting their development.

But, I was so blown away with how patient and considerate and funny they are that I wanted them to know how I felt. So I planned this moment when we got home that I would circle them up, hold their hands, express how I felt, and then pray for them. And so the moment came when I relayed my thoughts, looked each one in the eye, and then said let us pray – suddenly the most foul odor enveloped the room. I had to back up and immediately looked at both boys and said “Oh my, which one of you did that?’ As both boys began shaking their heads in denial, my sweet little girl said sheepishly, “That was me Daddy.”

I guess the look on my face was utter disbelief because all three of them just about fell down laughing. Then we all laughed for a long time as I struck matches and lit candles. It was perfect – my big moment upstaged by the unexpected, just like kids.

These four elements dawned on me later that evening. By no means rules to raise your kids by, but things I surely don’t want to forget.

• Smile so much you develop lines.
• Laugh so hard you develop abs.
• Hug so often you develop intimacy.
• Listen so intently you develop them.

This is going to sound initially like it’s about working out. It’s really not.

However, I have talked to quite a few people lately who are just now getting back into the health/workout mode. I love to see a new/return runner or person at the gym getting their sweat back on. Maybe that’s why I  walk up to them and welcome them, find out their story, basically just be friendly. And being just another member, not a coach or a trainer I can be the voice of a comrade and they don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing to that might result in a lecture or demo in technique. It seems lately that most of these folks have the same concerns. Once you get past the I want to feel/look better rationale you get to the thing that has been holding them back. “What if I make a fool of myself.” Granted, many of them don’t outright say this, but this is the bottom line. They are worried they won’t know the drills, the equipment, you know…the process. No one wants to look foolish, and everyone is affected.

Me for example. I’ve been working out, or competing in some level of physical challenges since I was a young boy. While I don’t play the same sports today that I did then, I am no less active. When you’ve been playing sports and working out for coming up the better part of 4 decades, you can begin to get the nervous butterflies to subside a bit. You don’t get as jumpy for the flag football game when you’ve played in front of Alabama’s home crowd. You don’t sweat the lunges at the local Y when you’ve done it for so many years.

But, everyone can fall off a little. I admit that for a few years I just tried to make a career. Work, travel, family – I often stood back from the day and thought that I couldn’t jam one more thing in. So when I got back into a regular workout I was afraid I didn’t have what it took anymore. Imagine not being able to do a couple of pull ups and showing up to a box (what we people call a gym) and hearing that the workout was 1/3 pull ups? Or sprinting, or 1,000 burpees (never had to actually do 1,000 – I think 999)? You get the point. I was worried for a long time about showing up and not being able to do the WOD (workout of the day). Now, disclaimer here…there are a LOT of people who show up and can’t do even the most minimal of exercises. And I have NEVER been at a box and not seen some level of effort from everyone that looks strained. No matter the level! Truth be told, I struggle every time I step in for a WOD and that’s what finally got me over the edge.

See, I did a workout called “Nichole” twice in one week. Nichole is 20 minutes AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of pull ups to fatigue, which means you do pull ups until you can’t do another, then you run 400 meters for 20 minutes. Now I can run 400 meters all day long, it’s the pullups that sucketh. The first time I strategized and made a plan and worked the numbers in my head to figure out what I would get – it worked. The second time I took another route, work smarter not harder and my numbers improved but guess what – it sill sucked! I might have done better but I got little joy out of the effort. All I could think about was what I would do different and then it dawned on me… I was improving, I am getting better physically, but my mental state is static. Even though I was competent, and no longer concerned about making a fool of myself for not being able to complete the work, I was now concerned I wouldn’t improve and once again – look foolish if even to myself. My “reputation” was to be protected and I had taken the joy out of the struggle.

Here’s the secret then, whether it’s your first time or you’ve been at it for awhile – it’s foolish! A grown man doing pull ups till some of the skin was coming off my hands and running around a city block – on repeat? Definition of foolish. Trying to protect some stupid reputation that exists in my head – foolish. Concerned that people will laugh at me if I step into a new situation and don’t know the right routine – foolish. Not trying the new thing or being held back because of what others might think – tragic.

We are fools. All of us. The faster we embrace our fallible nature the quicker the perception that we have something to lose will loosen it’s grip on our lives. This isn’t about working out, it’s about silencing the voices in your head that say you can’t make. That people will laugh at you. That you actually have something to lose. If I can impart any knowledge to my children it will be embrace the foolish – attempt the pull ups, or public speaking, or dance classes, or whatever because the fool is the only one light enough to laugh at himself.

My career has allowed me to work in marketing/strategy and insights across several categories. Sort of a jack of all trades in the insight world I guess. As a matter of fact I have had the benefit of working across multiple categories, targets, B2B and consumer, different regions of United States of America, and outside the US. Mind you I’m no expert, but I have learned a thing or two about looking for an insight and uncovering an emotional benefit or two. Here is the best advice I can give. Before you decide to work on a brand/category/career – make sure that you are solving for a friction and not a neglect.

Solving for a Friction is motivating. There’s not an action in the world that is exercised without friction. Friction is the reason why, the motivation to move, the proverbial match head on graphite. We are a competitive race that likes a good conflict. We want to solve problems and overcome obstacles. Sure peace and tranquility are wonderful selling points, but only because turmoil and chaos exist everywhere.

Neglect is the lowest common denominator. The old pen at the very back of the junk drawer. The last thought before your head hit’s the pillow at night, “You know I need to flip the mattress tomorrow.” Or, “I really should have someone look at that dark freckle on my back.” Neglect in the marketplace is guilt without any payoff. And you can’t sell guilt ladies and gentlemen. Ask any non-profit out there…guilt won’t motivate your contributors past one donation. And guilt surely won’t bring volunteers to your cause.

Friction drives emotion, need, and ultimately action. If you look at your category or brand and can’t readily find the points of friction it’s time to consider what conflict in the consumers life you are really trying to find a solve.

Lately, the topic of running has come up a lot around me. Turns out A LOT of people don’t like running. I run. I don’t jog. And if I spend enough time with you it will eventually come up. I can’t help it. It’s like some kind of palsy I suppose. However, I’m not in love with running. I like what it does for me, where it can take me, what I can see because of it, how much more lung capacity I have because of it, the fact that I’m almost 40 and can crank out a sub 6 minute mile if I feel like burning one. Love it…not exactly – but, I don’t hate it either.

Invariably when the topic is broached someone will tell me, “I hate running.” Hate. What a strong word. How can you hate something like running? Do you really HATE it? It’s like when people say they hate certain textures in food. You hate pudding? Really?

It’s a common fitness-nut discussion too. “I hate running.” Then you get the runners explaining the POSE running form, the reasons to increase your AMRAP WOD’s, etc, etc… This is why I never go that route, I tell the easily offended that running hates them back, and you shouldn’t let the bastard get you down. In fact, the whole universe does not desire you to conquer it with your feet and body. That’s why we do it! Dominion – you soft-hearted, bi-pedal meatbag.

Run, don’t run? I don’t care…but we all should watch it on the hate front. That mess comes around to bite you, and next thing you know you’re running a 5K. We all know that’s just a gateway drug for longer races. Soon, you’ll be planning out road trips for runs, looking forward to the endorphins, coveting the quiet that comes from the toil. Hate it? Why? You conquer hate by embracing the thing you despise. It works in every capacity of your life.

Godspeed and happy running.

This past Friday I did something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m not sure if it’s legal – but I hope not worth prosecuting. And, while I would punish my children for even considering it I was smiling from ear to ear while doing it. I caught and rode a moving train. It’s a long story, that involves my afternoon run. Dudes yelled at me, dogs were chasing me, and when confronted with a road blocked with a train I decided to just ride it. Needless to say it was the most interesting run I’ve had in quite some time.

I can’t be the only one who has sat at an intersection, watched a long train go by and thought, “Could I run alongside that, grab onto the ladder, and just climb on up?” That was as much thought as I’d given the catch a moving train scenario…until Friday. With guys yelling behind me, dogs snapping, and the road blocked…I decided to run along the train tracks in the gravel. After a few minutes I realized the train wasn’t really moving that much faster than me. I started to really look at the train, saw the difference in the cars, the size of the wheels, the space between…and thought, “I could be riding that.” And with the sum total of 5 minutes of planning I was riding a train, hanging on to a ladder of what appeared to be tanker car (you know the rounded ones).

It was bliss. I was thrilled to be moving along the Mississippi river on a railroad that probably helped connect the Eastern and Western US. It felt like a surreal mix between Urban Ninja and migrant homeless person. When I got down off the train, which was much easier than you’d think I thought about who I would tell of my adventure. I knew the question that most people would ask me, “Why would you do that?”

I could pontificate with the best of them, on the reasons that I would do such a thing but I think at the end of the blustering it comes down to one thing, it makes me feel free. Adventure, excitement, joy, and a little danger all rolled up into something that doesn’t hurt anyone else…freedom! That might be Monday Morning analysis, and maybe I’m just an idiot. But, you can’t beat the look on some dudes face standing on a corner smoking a cigarette as you wave to him from the ladder of a moving train. (In NO WAY am I recommending that you go run down moving locomotives or buses, planes, or cars! I would start with a small dog and work my way up to ponies and then catch other people, then trains!)

Couple of days after the poll I thought it’d be nice to report that 70% of the respondents would want to “Control their dreams” as opposed to 30% desire total recall of their dreams. No respondents opted for blocking bad dreams or nightmares.

People are fascinated with dreams. Not just the “I have a DREAM” poster people either, but the I just woke up from the craziest dream in which a snake was chasing me through a field of pudding and my Grandmother was the lifeguard of said pudding-field dreams. (Not my actual dream, but probably means you ought to get more calcium or something) I think people are fascinated with dreams and the interpretation of their dreams. I have met a few people who are thrilled with their dream-life and many, many more that don’t remember their dreams at all. Still some that are held back by the same recurring dream. I have been a lucid dreamer for as long as I can remember and lately, I can’t wait to go to sleep because my dreams are like the movies in which I can mess with the sequence of events. Every morning I awake at 5 AM and have the best recollection of my night before. I don’t know why now at this stage in my life my dreams have become so rich and entertaining but I can’t complain.

It does have me thinking about how other people feel about their dreams though. I’m curious if anyone feels about their dreams the way I do, so I put my queries in a brief anonymous poll. Feel free to answer and see how others responded, and happy dreams.

The US is the largest producer of corn in the world. Corn is grown on over 400,000 U.S. farms. Many, many of those farms are family owned, and the age of those farmers is getting older. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics about forty percent of the farmers in this country are 57 years old or older. But, that doesn’t seem like the target I would be interested in. I would want to know what’s going on with the 20-40 year old farmer. Those are the guys I’d like to learn a little about. What kinds of tech are they into? What social media sites? What websites and blogs? In short, I know how advanced these farms have to be to do their business, but how net savvy is the new farmer? Take the short poll and help me out if you will.

If you want to pursue a change in your life, find a seemingly small thing and do it everyday.

I’ll give you an example from my own life. I decided around 7th grade that I wanted to be a football player. However, my father didn’t want any of his boys to get injured like he had been (career-ending knee surgery in college) and had subsequently banned football until we became of age (like 50 in his mind). Undeterred, I broke down the components of what would make a good football player. Obviously, athleticism, speed, and strength ran to the top of my list of physical attributes that would benefit an individual desiring to succeed at that sport. Yes, I could watch film, become a student of the game and begin to break down different schemes and tactics. But, to tell the truth, I didn’t have a clue about where to begin with that stuff and really just wanted to run into people anyway. So, I played as much backyard ball as humanly possible. And for strength I would do push-ups, sit-ups, and hand stand push ups (or dumb bell press) every night before bed.

Starting in 7th grade I did this every night for about 10 years.

Now, endgame results: Did I get stronger? You bet? I could push up or sit up better than just about anyone on the field during my career? Probably. Did I become a star athlete that dominated my sport and made a name for myself…no I emphatically did not as pushing up faster or longer doesn’t necessarily make you a BETTER athlete.

However, I received something infinitely more valuable than fame and accolades in my chosen sport.

I got some peace through the beauty of the struggle.

I learned the power of multiplication of a discipline over time.

Joy in a task completed.

The value of sticking with something.

The reason to stick with a daily plan in order to make significant change is not for the 10-20 year look back at what can occur. It’s for the small daily reward. See, when everything else in my life felt out of control, I had the push ups. When my Dad died, I still did the sit-ups. When I was waiting for ANY college to call regarding a football scholarship I did the sets. It was the one thing I could do that was in my control, every day. Even now, when the pressures of the world get bigger than my ability to process them, I’ll have some daily element that I can accomplish. I do them consistently, because I can. Because no one can do them for me. Because, so many people simply won’t do it! Mainly because sacrifice feels good when you stand back from it, embrace the chore, and realize your entire life is just a minute. The pain of the daily rigors can become joy if you embrace the ownership of the moment. Struggle is incredibly liberating when you freely accept it and are not subjected to it. 

The power of doing something significant is doing something small over and over and over again.

Had a coach when I was in college (football) who used to encourage us to run faster from one point to another by saying “All I want to see is elbows and buttholes when I look out there on the field!” Now this might sound like a strange request, but let’s face it, football is a strange demanding sport that attracts some characters all on it’s on. What he meant was he wanted to see proper sprint technique with arms pumping and upper bodies leaning forward. I was immediately taken with this slogan as truth uttered in a very unconventional way. That’s the reason it is the sub-heading of my blog and has been for years. Arresting, memorable truth compels me, and I also like to run.

Which reminds me of this graphic I saw the other day about proper running form. It is a great illustration of all the things you should be doing when you want to have proper body movement during a run. However, if you want to learn something about yourself…forget all that crap and run like someone is chasing you. You ever watch kids on playground? Or, if you don’t have kids and would feel awkward hanging around a playground watching them, remember being one? They chase each other. Constantly. Now that I think about it we should still be playing tag as adults. And, if not tag then we should be running like someone is after us.

Sometimes I go out for a run and just crank it out for as long as I can until I think my heart or lungs will explode. Then I walk, catch my breath and just get a good even pace for the next few miles. You should try it. It will most likely make you feel like you are going to die, but you probably won’t. You will immediately realize that you will be the first person to die when the Zombie outbreak occurs. But, it will also clear your mind if you push it just right. Something about oxygen deprivation and your heart pounding in your ears is very clarifying.

With this in mind I’m excited to announce that I’m going to start playing tag during my runs. Will other people know? Good question…eventually.

As I near another runner I’m going to yell out, “Ohhhhh yeaaaahhhhhh.” just like the Kool Aid man (or Randy Savage, RIP), then while they are wondering what that was all about I’m going to reach out and tag them. Yes, I’ll say “Tag, you’re it”, and no I won’t touch them inappropriately, I’m thinking forehead slaps? My hope is that they start chasing me back, or maybe tag another runner.

If anyone wants to play with me, we can start on opposite sides of a trail and see if we can get a mass of people chasing us to a central meeting point. This is gonna be so awesome!