Since June, I’ve now given 9 special topic seminars from my home studio and one comprehensive talk on Running Longevity at REI Boulder. These engagements have served to keep my stream of consciousness flowing with ideas both in spoken and written form. Great blog material on the way shortly.

In the midst of this run I was fortunate to spend two weeks at The Gathering of Friends Retreat Center  in the northernmost reaches of Gila Wilderness Area of Southwestern New Mexico.  A highlight of this visit was reuniting with my friend and training partner, Steve Peterson, at one time a five time Leadville  Trail 100 and National Champion 24 Hour Ultra-runner. We have a rich history and I have been fortunate enough to be around for some of Steve’s greatest performances as a pacer and have accompanied him on many a training run in preparation for these. It was revitalizing to run with Steve, and I trust the feelings were mutual.

It’s easy to forget what the positive influence of this kind of camaraderie, a training partner of similar ilk & competitive fire and with whom I share a mutual respect for the sport and doing things the right way can do for the psyche. Steve, now semi-retired, is truly blessed with the self-discipline and inner strength of all the great ones. As a gracious running host he showed me around the area in a way that opened up my all my running senses and vision. As a result my personal running goals, both internal and external, are now expanded beyond what they once were. Thanks to Steve as well as the dynamism and power of the natural environment he now resides in. Next year I hope to conduct some running camps in this incredible venue with Steve on staff.

I went with “Legends” here for the express purpose of paying homage to those who came before us. This has a threefold meaning for me.

The first reaches all the way back to the ancients. I recently was permitted access to my adoption file which revealed that I am a descendent of Greek origins which may explain my love for the Olympic Ideal in it’s pure form. The other side is Irish which may lead to my admiration of the fierceness, intellect, art and music of the Gaelic cultures. This is one reason I speak of traditions when I coach.

We nearly made Greek Athletic Art one of the themes for the site. A little known secret is that  my greatest work as a high school student was a research paper on The Battle of Marathon which is another clue. In any event , the semi-divine heroes and archetypes of the myths and legends of ALL cultures fascinate me greatly and can put me in contact with a primal depth of force in myself and connect me with the spirit world.

Another aspect of this paying homage is to acknowledge the “great ones” in a contemporary and historical sense. You’ll see references to them all over the site. So enjoy it because, these mere mortals can often be exemplary of  ”the practical application of spiritual wisdom” whether they know it or not. Just watch a documentary on Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympic Games, or Bob Beamon’s epoch long jump in 1964 to get a feel for what I mean.

Sports often provides metaphor for life. I have my personal favorites yet I will continue to stretch myself to learn more, find the hidden gems and illuminate their essence.

There is an excellent book by the biographer, Michael Sandrock, entitled “Running with the Legends,” a fun read that makes my point for me. It also, indirectly inspired my tagline, “Run Like a Legend.” To give you an idea of why I love the book, it contains the quote: “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare” by the great Juma Ikangaa. If you like what your hearing so far, I highly recommend that you read the book. It’s full of in depth accounts, not superficial renderings like so many other running books. Witnessing or hearing of the feats and sacrifices of the true elite runners (some who are renown and some who have remained obscure), provides a wellspring of inspiration and commands a deep respect for their ability to prepare and perform at the highest level. I believe we all potentially have a seed of  greatness inside us that is nourished and vitalized by these intimations. It evokes the same feeling as when we are moved by a great work of art or music. It’s what we do with it, how we take it into our lives that is the key. We must find a way to internalize it.

Finally, I intend to acknowledge my formative influences and teachers; including friends, chance acquaintances, role models and everyday heros from all walks of life. What I’ve gotten from both peak and mundane experiences, what I’ve made my own and what I still have to learn will all have a place here. There have been amazing ironies and forces of fate operative along the way to get me to the point where I feel qualified to share what I know as I continue to learn and grow.

So I hope you will read on. It’s gonna’ get looser and more playful with some great information you can both understand and put to use coming soon.