A Breif Chat with Michael Wardian

April 20, 2009
A Brief Chat With Michael Wardian

By Peter VigneronPhotos supplied by Mr. WardianMichael Wardian, 34, of Arlington, Virginia, is running Monday's Boston Marathon. Wardian recently finished 8th at the Marathon Des Sables, a 150-mile ultramarathon through the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Wardian is a famously prolific road runner and raced over 50 times in 2008. He is an eight-time Boston finisher, and last month ran the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach and the National Marathon in Washington, D.C. on consecutive days. Wardian's fastest marathon is 2:21:37 from Shamrock in 2007. He works full-time as an international shipping broker and is sponsored by The North Face, Power Bar, Moeben Sleeves, and MarathonGuide.com.

"I'm unbelievably grateful," Wardian says. "If you want to put any of that in the article that would be terrific."
You got back from Marathon des Sables 10 days ago? Or two weeks ago?

Michael Wardian: Ah, yeah. I think it was April 5...it'll be 15 by the race.
And how many days is the race?
MW: It was supposed to be seven days, six days of running, and about 150 miles, and it turned out to be six days, four days of running. What happened was, they had kind of epic flooding, actually. The desert flooded, and so the first camp we were supposed to stay at, a bivouac, was completely washed out. They lost a Land Rover. This is crazy. The people in the towns had never seen this much rain. They were asking - the people in the race were asking, like 'Have you ever seen this much rain?' And people couldn't remember in their lifetimes, seeing the amount of downpour that they had. So they basically got washed out the first day, and each day they basically had to make the course for the next day. So, I think logistically, they canceled the first day and then the last day. It's usually just almost like - it's kind of a Tour de France, it's a stage race, and the last day is almost like on the Champs Elysees. The race is usually over at that point, and so it's just 13 miles to get you to the finish line. So they decided not to do it, I think, because it wasn't worth it.
And we had already done four days of hard running. The first day was in the dunes and it was 18 or 19 miles, but really, really challenging. The biggest dunes in North Africa, I guess. And then the second day was 24 miles, also dunes and dunettes, which are basically crappy little small hills. They consider dunes these three-story things. The dunettes are just...they suck. I don't even know how to describe it. They're like rollers - if you're running on a road and someone will say it's got rollers. They're like rollers but they're crappy footing and you're sliding and you're running like this (Wardian makes an unbalanced motion) and your foot's getting sliced on the bottom of your shoe because you're not hitting flat. You're pulling your feet out of the sand.
It was really impressive to see the top guys and how they choose to land - it can make a big difference to take three steps to the left, or run in the jeep track or something, because it's just better footing, and you use a lot less energy. And that's the whole game: management of your energy and resources.
So do you think it's less a matter of who's the fittest and more who knows how to run in the sand really well?
MW: Well, I think there's a lot of that, and that's what I learned. I think that if I got most of those guys on the roads I'd be able to beat most of them, although the top guys—I was talking to all of them, as much as I could, I don't speak French so it was somewhat limited and there's no talking when we're in the group—but afterwards, everyone chats and hangs out, and somebody's friend speaks English, and so they would go and the guy I was running with all day would bring his friend over that spoke English and be like 'I want to tell you something!'
The Spanish guy I ran with a lot was the 2005, through I think 2008, 100K champ from Spain, so a legit guy, I think he ran 6:26 for 100K, which is almost world record - I think it's 6:13 or something. And then this guy from Jordan I met ran 2:46 or 47 for 50K in Jordan with is freaking fast.
What's the American record?
MW: Josh Cox got it in 2:47 I think, right around the same pace. It's like 5:22 pace, which is pretty solid. And I think some of the guys had old marathon PRs of 2:14, 2:16 or so. So it was interesting to watch how they did it, and as I mentioned, they were really, really efficient at getting through the transitions.
They have these special packs, it's almost like a saddle, it's like a front pack and a back pack and so, on the front pack they have a compartment, and they give you one-and-a-half liter bottles, like the big ones, so you come in and they write your number on it and on the cap, and you have a punch thing, like on a card, so you have to get punched every time you go through a checkpoint, so they know you've gone through the checkpoint and they know you have water, and if you litter, you get a half hour penalty, which basically means you lose. So you have to be really cognizant of where you put your water and your trash, which is great because if you've got 900 people in the desert and there's no consequence, you're just going to have this trail of trash.
Bottles all over the place.
MW: Yeah. And even with the penalty I saw some guys throwing stuff. But so I had my little hand-held (water bottle) which I use in ultras, and they're really handy, but when the other guy just takes it, slides it in, and then is out the other side, and you're like this (he demonstrates fumbling with a water bottle).
And trying not to drop the cap.
MW: Because it's a half hour penalty! So it's a big difference. As I was saying, I run for North Face and Marathon Guide and Power Bar and Moeben, so I had a North Face bag, and it's designed to last forever, and it's super well built and just really nice, sturdy, and these guys had little—
Canvas satchels or something
.MW: Yeah. Well actually Lahcen [Ahansal, 10-time race winner] had a bag that he designed himself, and it's like, I swear, I was feeling the material and it's almost like parachute material, so super strong but really lightweight.
My bag was probably like a couple kilos, and theirs was probably one, so that just means you can have more food, or you have to carry a flare—you have mandatory stuff you have to carry—so a flare, a snake bite kit, a knife, a compass, the road book, which basically tells you what the route is. It's a marked course but it's not like you run this path. There's a blaze here, and 300 yards down a blaze, and in the dunes there's no blazes, so you have to read your compass or follow the guy in front of you, and so being with the lead group, it was amazing to see how they - you know, there might be a string of dunes this way, and then a string of dunes that way, and somehow they would snake a way through where they would take the most minimalist way to get to where they needed to go.
And does the course change from year to year? Do they know, or are they just efficient at figuring out the fastest way?
MW: The course changes from year to year. And I never saw them look at their compasses once, which is crazy because I got separated from them, and I was standing there one time, and I was just like, 'I have no idea where to go.' My compass was in my backpack, and I'm going to take five minutes to figure it out, and I'm not even sure I know how to read it that well, so I'm going to get screwed here, so I'm just going to wait and hope that somebody comes. And then I saw some camels, and I was like, 'Oh, maybe those are camels from the race,' and they were just guys out there on camels, and I was like, 'I'm hosed, so I'm just going to keep running,' and I did, and it worked out.
And you found them?
MW: Yeah, I did. But there's definitely some route finding that I could do better. And I think next time I might just take a GPS and just put in the coordinates. So there's things like that, and my nutrition, as I was saying before, I brought a lot of Power Bars, which I love, but there's also—you need to get some variety. I had some freeze-dried meals that I loved when I was at my desk and it was 72 degrees, that weren't as appetizing at 120 degrees, and didn't look good at all. And you've just run for 20 or 30 miles, and you're just like, 'I don't know if I can eat that.' And you're sitting on the floor and it's not comfortable. That's part of the race though.
So then you got sick?MW: Yeah, I got sick on the long day, at the end of the race I had to stop and go to the bathroom a couple times. But I had also bonked really hard. I went from fourth at 50 miles to 10th place by 56 miles. And it took me like three hours and two minutes to go 26K, which is 14 or 15 miles—basically not that far, for that long.
So what exactly do you do? I know it's shipping.
MW: International ship broking. The most recent thing that we know about was the Maersk Alabama [the ship that made news recently for being held hostage by Somali pirates]. Everything on that ship is something that I chartered. They're my biggest client. So that was a big nightmare. And it was right when I got back, so I was glad I was back.
Did you have to deal with that situation at all?
MW: Yeah, we did. We had to deal with the government. My big client is Maersk Line and I love the guy that I deal with, but we didn't have to deal with the pirates or anything like that, but we're the ones that helped arrange all the cargo, the relief cargo that was on board, that's actually what we do.
This is a problem you've probably been paying attention to for several years.
MW: Yeah, we have. Well, it's probably been most prevalent in the last couple years, and then we actually, we put special service - they thought that where they were was safe, so they actually had already amended their service to try and account for the pirates, so it was surprising that they were that far off the coast. Four hundred miles is actually kind of far, especially in a little boat. And that ship was actually faster than a lot of the ships they (the pirates) were using, so they had put her in specifically to try and counteract the pirates, and it seems like the pirates we able to overcome those obstacles, which is super annoying. But the crew did a tremendous job, and the captain, and the military.
I was going to ask you if Boston was just another marathon or do get up for this race, is this a big deal?
MW: Oh, yeah. For sure. I try to get up for every race, but this one in particular. Some races don't have the same panache or whatever, but every time I go to a race I want to do well. When you step to the line you put yourself out there. There's no reason that you shouldn't try to do your best. But this is one of those races where it's got such a rich history, and everyone is into it, and everyone knows. A lot of races you'll go to and they don't even know how far a marathon is. They'll be like, 'How far is that again?' Everyone here, it's such a part of who these people are, and the city. I mean, it's a holiday, for Christ's sake. It's freaking awesome.
I know this is a question you get, probably every interview you've ever done, but why do you race so much?
MW: I mean, I do get it all the time, and I don't mind because it is a legitimate question. A lot of people say, 'Oh, you could be a 2:12 guy or a 2:14 guy if you just focused on one race a year, or two races a year and really built up.' And I think the counter argument is that you could get hurt and you wouldn't have any races a year. There are so many opportunities out there and I love to toe the line. I love to see what I can do and just push the limits and try and experiment with myself.
I like that people can look at me, and say, 'Wow, if that guy can do 13 marathons a year and do pretty well, maybe I can do one.' I think a lot of people can relate to that. Like, 'that guy works a real job. He's not a professional runner.'
I like the fact that people can look at me and say, 'Maybe it's not that hard. There's something to that. Or, I talked to him and he seems happy. He's not crazy.'
He's no nutcase.
MW: Yeah exactly! He doesn't own a health food store, he's not trying to sell me bee pollen. I feel like it's something they can relate to. And, 'He's got a family too. He's a normal guy. And so if he can do it, why can't I.' I like that.
Racing is stressful for a lot of people. Like, I get nervous for races, and there's a certain amount of strain that goes into—
MW: Travel and logistics. Yeah, that's a fantastic observation you make, and I think a lot of people do get nervous. I have to say, I'm not excluded. I get super nervous before races too, and I've thrown up before races. And all that stuff can be super stressful, especially when it's your only race for the year. You've put a year's worth of training into it. I can't imagine what Ryan Hall's thinking now. And you've got all these sponsors that have goals for you, and all the interviews, and that's just a lot to deal with. But that's part of your job too, that's what it is to be a professional athlete. But even for the normal runners there's a lot of stress.
I think for me I have a great support system. My wife and my children, it's been a part of our life, and my extended family, and my in-laws are coming up, and my parents are helping to watch my house and my dog, and they do that all the time, and my brother and sister. My boss is just a rock star. Without him and my clients being supportive - I was joking that I want to go to Comrades this year, but I have to go to the office every now and then.
Any ideas on race strategy for Boston?
MW: Well, my goal is to try to get a qualifier (2:19 for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials) so I've got to run pretty fast. My goal originally was to run 2:16, which I mentioned would be a big PR, I think that's like 5:10, 5:12 pace, so it's pretty fast for me. I can hit anywhere between 2:20 and 2:30 pretty consistently. I think this year I've run 2:22 and 2:23, so I know that pace pretty well. This will be a big increase for me, but Boston is a really special race.
Posted at 12:03 AM Permalink
« April 17: Can Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall Win the Boston Marathon // What's Going on at Brian Sell's House? // How Lorraine Moller Fell in Love With Boston // Famiglietti, Solinsky, and Wurth-Thomas Are in Mt. SAC 5000s // Plus a Chat With Shannon Rowbury Main April 20: Salina Kosgei Wins Boston Marathon; Kara Goucher Is Third // Deriba Merga Is Boston Men's Champ; Ryan Hall Is Third // Anna Willard Outkicks Shalane Flanagan in B.A.A. Mile // Oregon Edges UCLA in Dual Meet // Plus a Chat With Michael Wardian »

Cancer Update from Johns-Hopkins

Cancer Update from Johns-Hopkins

Bottled water in your car isvery dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said this is what caused her breast cancer. It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.
Sheryl Crow's oncologist told her:

women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car. Pass this on to all the women in your life.

This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us! Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE!This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center

No plastic containers in microwave.
No water bottles in freezer
No plastic wrap in microwave.
A dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer..
Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies.
Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us.
He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers...
This especially applies to foods that contain fat.He said that the combination of fat, high heat,=2 0and plastic releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body....

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic
containers for heating food.. You get the same results, only without the dioxin.So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else.

Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper.
It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc.
He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved Away
from the foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons...
Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran wrap, is just as dangerous when
placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high
heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food.
Cover food with a paper towel instead.
This is an article that should be sentTo anyone important inYour life!

2009 MDS is over and Ray Zahab!

The 2009 MDS has come to an end. As I write this post we are still waiting for some runners rankings to be posted.

This years race was cut 2 days short due to unimaginable weather that hit the Sahara desert. I can't wait to talk to Jay and many others in person about there experience. The Marathon Des Sables is one of the most amazing races in the World, no wonder there is a very long waiting list for 2010. This races brings people together from all over the World, from all walks of life. They come together to do the same thing, to do one thing, complete one of the toughest foot races on earth.

Most all of the Dreamchasers completed there journey, a few were forced to withdraw. This is unfortunate but this happens to the best of the best. Lachen who has won the race 10 times withdrew on the 3rd day. In my eyes this takes a real champion to know when enough is enough and that there will be another race to run in the near future. Stepping up to the starting line takes time, dedication, desire and commitment. Anyone who toed the line of the MDS is a champion just for getting to that point. To all of you who crossed the finish line and to those who did not I hope you do know that you are ALL winners, we are so very proud of you.

Here is the link to the page on the MDS web site for you to go and check all the information on the last stage.

http://dedie.darbaroud.com/uk/html/mds/24mds/cp/uk_24mds_cp_8.php

Mike, Ted and Bryon
Our Dreamchaser team of Mike, Ted and Bryon came in 2nd overall in the team division.
This is the first time in the history of the race that the Americans will stand on the podium!
Way to run guys...one amazing race!




















Meghan Hicks
Meghan Hicks was the 2nd women overall, she ran an amazing race..strong and focused..we are so proud of you girl.

Jay
Our Jay Batchen was the 4th American Male...wow Daddy Jay...we can't wait for you to come home.

The Whole Gang
Colleen, Tess, Art, George, Connie, Jane, Kerri, Terry, Anton, Becky, Elizabeth, Alisha, Ineke, Julie, Bill.....and to all of you...Way to go. We hope you will post some comments so all the others can find out about your race.

Thanks to all of you for the emails....it was a joy to answer your questions.

RAY ZAHAB is coming to the Tetons
http://www.rayzahab.com/
http://lisasmithbatchen.blogspot.com/2009/03/meet-ray-zahab-in-july.html

Ray will be our guest coach for our July Training camp...
We only have 5 spots left.
If you want to come to camp...email me at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com



I leave you with this:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God. You playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates other.”
--By Marianne Williamson

What and why some are running the MDS and the LONG day at MDS!!!

http://www.active.com/donate/colleenwoods_RTF
Above! Our own Colleen Woods and Teresa!

Colleen is running and raising money for Aids Orphans Rising!!

Byron Powell is run for

Village of Hope

http://www.voh-ainleuh.org/

Below is Dreamchaser Anton who is running his 1st MDS!!

http://www.firstgiving.com/rumbleinthedesert.

Connie Carpenter! Running for Abundent after school water program!

Becky Clements with Sister Marybeth. Becky is running for

Aids Orphans Rising!

Terry Madl! Last year at the finish line of the 2008 MDS. This year so far he is way ahead of last year:)

Kerri Elfvins is running for the Jacksonville Humane Society!!! She is already over her goal:)

http://www.firstgiving.com/kerrielfvin

Francis LaBrune is running for Aids Orphans Rising!! Check out the article in the paper.

http://www.pvnews.com/articles/2009/03/19/local_news/news4.txt

This information below has been taken off the race web site. There are still people out on the course who have not completed the 50 mile stage. The results will be posted, we all have to be patient..I know it is not easy. Dreamchasers are running very well:) The men's team as it stands right now for overall places are

Mike 10th

Ted 19th

Bryon 20th

This is wonderful!

Meaghan Hicks is having an amazing race..she is in 2nd overall:)

33 retirements at 9.30am

3rd stage Men ranking 1 Mohamad Ahansal

(2-Morocco) 8h08m22s2 Aziz El Akad

(3-Morocco) 8h23m23s 3 Mustapha Ait Amar

(8- Morocco) 8h30m15s4

Salameh El Aqrah (357- Jord) 8h47m23s5

Anton Vencelj (220 – Slovénia) 8h47m23s6

Aurelio Antonio Olivar Roldan (529- Spain) 9h27m34s7

Lorenzo Trincheri (460 – Italy) 9h27m55s8

Julio Gomez Camacho (473-Spain ) 9h35m45s9

Marco Olmo (297 – Italy) 9h42m49s10

Michael Wardian (870 USA) 9h51m59s

General ranking

1 Mohamad Ahansal (2-Morocco) 13h32m57s

2 Aziz El Akad (3-Morocco) 6m20s (time difference with top runner)

3 Salameh El Aqrah (357- Jord) 37m41s (time difference with top runner)

4 Anton Vencelj (220 – Slovenia) 1h28m57s (time difference with top runner)

5 Mustapha Ait Amar (8- Morocco) 1h37m40s (time difference with top runner)

6 Lorenzo Trincheri (460 – Italy) 1h48m59s (time difference with top runner)

7 Michael Wardian (870 USA) 1h57m37s (time difference with top runner)

8 Samir Akhdar (4-Morocco) 2h00m52s (time difference with top runner)

9 Lhoucine Akhdar (5 – Morocco) 2h04m29s (time difference with top runner)

3rd stage Women ranking1 Touda Didi (265- Morocco) 11h52m49s

2 Meghan Hicks (825 – USA) 12h01m07s

3 Luz Perez Carbajo (480 – Spain) 12h12m35s

4 Simone Keyzer (434 – Luxembourg) 13h10m50s

5 Rosa Espachs Olivera (504- Spain) 13m31s10s

General ranking

1 Touda Didi (265- Morocco) 19m13m52s

2 Meghan Hicks (825 – USA) 44m33s (time difference with top runner)

3 Luz Perez Carbajo (480 – Spain) 1h06m07s (time difference with top runner)

4 Simone Keyzer (434 – Luxembourg) 2h24m36s (time difference with top runner)

5 Jennifer Salter (782- GB) 2h41m20s (time difference with top runner)

Such an intense, tough and stunning stage! Scoop of the day is for sure the retirement of the great favourite Lahcen Ahansal. The 10 times winner champion threw in the sponge at check point 4. Not really fit since the start of the race, accentuated by a lack of training after his previous year' break, he left the vicotry escape. He took the hard decision to give up, informing his brother between chek points 3 and 4. Mohamad moved to top speed and left the Jordanian Al Aqrah and the Moroccan Aziz Al Akad on the spot. Taking advantage of his incredible pace, he did not get some rest on check point 5, cooling down his rivals' ardour. He reached the finish line, with almost 15 minutes ahead before Aziz Al Akad and rob him of his first place. Tomorrow will be an unique opportunity for the 2 top leaders to have a bit of a fight, considering other runners are « out » for the first place.The slovenian Anton Vancelj gave renew proof of his great shape, with a beautiful fourth ranking.
On the women's side, as to amazing Touda Didi, the fireworks go on with no true pretender. Her timing would rank her in the top 30 men ranking. She should finish this stunning week with a well deserved title.
The race direction has decided to cancel the saturday's stage. The 24th Marathon des Sables will complete after the tomorrow's last 42km long stage.

Day 2 of the 2009 MDS and 2010 MDS!

I have been waiting and waiting for all the results to show on the race web site but several runners results are still not up. We wait and wait..but I am going to bed!

Today was more sand dunes and lots of rocks..the Dreamchasers are doing very well.
Meghan Hicks is the 3rd women overall...yeah for her!! This is a great start,

The long day which is 50 miles will start on Wed. morning. The runners have 2 days to complete the 50 miles. This is the stage that will make or break the race..and in my eyes this is where the race is won. If our men's Dreamchaser team is going to move up in the rankings they are all going to need to run a very hard fast 50 miles. You know what? They can do it!
Today Mike, Ted and Byron all ran very well and I know they were holding back and running the top guys down from the back! We should all be thinking about and praying for all the runners on Wed. for a very successful long day.
Jay Batchen is doing awesome..is is the 4th American behind the team Dreamchasers.

Some others that I would like to mention today is our Colleen Woods and Alisha Strobel who are from the Tetons are moving great.

We are thinking about you all today and everyone..Go Connie, Steve, George, Tess, Jane, Elizabeth, Terry, Mike, Bill and all of you! You inspire us all to do and be better. Thank you!

I have gotten over 40 emails in the past 2 days about the 2010 as well as the 2011 MDS race.
The 2010 race is sold out and we have a long waiting list. This does not mean it is impossible to get in it just means you are on a waiting list. If you would like to get on the list for either years please email me at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com



FROM THE RACE WEB SITE: Today March 31st, 2009

2nd stage Men ranking

Aziz El Akad (3-Morocco) : 2h41m17s
Salameh Al Aqrah (357-Jord) 2h45m48s
Lahcen Ahansal (1-Morocco) : 2h49m17s
Mohamad Ahansal (2-Morocco) : 2h50m30
5.Michael Wardian (870-USA) 2h52m36s (IN 7th OVERALL, 22 MIN BACK)

2nd stage Women ranking
. Touda Didi (265- Morocco) : 3h54min9s

General ranking stage 2Men

Aziz El Akad (3-Morocco) : 5h15m54s
Salameh Al Aqrah (357-Jord) : 7m21s (time difference with top runner)
Mohamad Ahansal (2-Morocco) : 8m41s (time difference with top runner)
Lahcen Ahansal (1-Morocco) : 8m44s (time difference with top runner)

A surprising stage today, done with at infernal speed. Dunes, stones and wind were excepted, but coldness and wind have been the last stage's guests. Lead by the Jordanian Salameh Al Aqrah and the Moroccan Aziz El Akad's paces - second and third rankings respectively last year, the race was really testing for the stretched bunch of runners at the foot of the spectacular Jebel El Begra. An amazing duel, worthy of the best Western movies.

Up to the second check point, the two leaders were on each other's heels, cooling down their rivals' enthousiasm. Thanks to an impressive final sprint, the Moroccan Aziz El Akad left his challenger way behind, seizing the 1st place of the general ranking. He seemed really confident at the finishing line regarding his 1st place this year, ? private proptery ? of the Ahansal family for 13 years. Despite his tough end of stage, the Jordanian shares exactly the same ambitions and expects a lot about tomorrow's heat. 7 minutes behind the leader in the general ranking is actually not an insuperable obstacle...
Exhausting race for the Ahansal' brothers : Mohamad suffered of digestive confusions, obliging his body to have a short break during this stage. His brother Lahcen was weak as well on the finishing line, apparently destabilized by the other competitors' ardour. Totalising more than 8 minutes difference with the top leader, this is an unforeseen situation for them. Temporarily lapse of end of kingdom ? Anwser tomorrow during the longest and mythical stage...

The Moroccan Touda Didi keeps shining in this competition, reaching the finishing line on the 1st position. Unless something drastic happens, she should keep the lead all through the week with a well deserved title.



DREAM CHASERS TEAM (numbers 868 - 870 / USA)

INTERVIEW WITH THE TEAM’S CREATOR, GERALD BATCHEN

The three musketeers of the American team “Dream Chasers”, Theodore Archer (32 years old), Brion Powell (30 years old) and Michael Wardian (34 years old) were brought together by Gerald Batchen, 39 years old, who is also participating in the race as a solo competitor under number 788. Michael Wardian, trained by Lisa, Gerald’s wife, who won the women’s MDS in 1999, is clear about his goal: to win the MDS this year and thus overthrow the near reign established by the Ahansal brothers for a good decade...His tactic: to use the flat stretches to back up his strong point, speed, and to slow down on the uphill stretches, which he has practiced less in training and, above all, not make any concessions to the Ahansal brothers, not to let himself fall behind...As for Theodore Archer, he finished in 16th place last year and hopes to optimise his results after 6 months of intensive training.This is a baptism of fire for Brion Powell: his first MDS, where he plans to implement a strategy of sustained effort, but has no specific goal in terms of placing.
Gerald Batchen confirms: “For this edition of the event, I have brought together a high level team of sportsmen who are developing fast and we have the ability to get on the podium.” In this first dunes stage, which is, in fact, his “weak” point, Michael finished in 8th place, in 2h 45' 59''. A good start. One to watch, then...Gentlemen, you have been warned!

Marathon Des Sables 1st day and more!!!

I posted this before on my blog..but now that the MDS is in process you may be interested in checking out Teds book. Ted is on the men's Dreamchaser team and today he was 18th overall!
Last year he was 16th overall and the first American...what can he do this year???

You have GOT to read this book written by one of my coaching students, Ted Archer! "Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil" is a story about the Marathon Des Sables, the 150-mile ultra-marathon through Morocco's Sahara Desert. www.tedarcher.com has a photo slideshow, a video clip that ABC News ran on the race, and even excerpts of the book that you can download for free. You will quickly see that it's an amazing story--and you'll want to buy the book! Ted, the author, is someone I met two years ago when he attended one of our running camps. He was a naturally gifted runner, but he was hilarious: He knew nothing about running. He had finished a marathon without eating or drinking anything, and he had never heard of some of the most basic running gear. He went from this to finishing 16th (the top American!) in a field of 802 runners at the world's toughest footrace. Look at the photos, read a piece of his story, and watch the video--and you'll need to find out how it ends. One of the great things about this book is that it's a story, not a journal. It's a fun read, and it's inspiring to read about someone else's journey. You'll also get to know many other runners (of varying abilities) who struggled along with Ted through 125-degree heat, sand dunes, salt flats, and rock gardens. Go to www.tedarcher.com, look at the photos, read the excerpts, and buy the book! Oh, and look for an interview with Ted to come out next week at www.enduranceplanet.com.



Photo of Ted on March 26th, 2009!!!

I can tell you that everyone who is in Morocco is thrilled!!! The sun is out and they are on there way.

What I want you to do today is go to this link and find the runner you are looking for.

On Tues. I will post this for you so you don't have to look so hard!

http://www.darbaroud.com/resultats/resultats.php?langue=en&epreuve_id=2009

The Dreamchaser team did very well today for there first day!

Mike, Ted and Bryon are all in the top...and so is JAY Batchen. I have to brag a bit to you about Jay because he was really only able to run about 1 time a week and play hockey 1 time a week.

He knows this race well and the moto is to GO SLOW TO GO FAST.

On Tues. the results will look different. Many who went out to fast today will pay the price on day 2 and through the rest of the race. You have to manage yourself well.

ALL Dreamchasers are in there tents right now, safe and going to bed. This is a great first day!

If you haven't seen the video of the Land Rover being washed away in a Saharan flash flood (at www.darbaroud.com and click the little British flag to get the English version), I hear that it is incredible.

REPORT FROM TED ARCHER:

The weather is now better, and the race has begun with an altered course. It's only about 80 degrees, so the field is exceptionally fast even though more than half of the 21 miles was in sand dunes today. I ran well today, sticking to my strategy of running hard on flat sections and walking uphills. The desert is a lot different than last year. We ran through flooded areas: mud was everywhere when we weren't in dunes. I'm not sure how things will go from here. We'll see what happens . . . more rain predicted Thurs.

Stay tuned!

Lisa

How to follow the MDS runner's

Happy Sunday!

The Marathon des Sables was to start today but today all the runner's are checking in there gear and the race WILL start on Monday morning. It is still raining in the Sahara! This is sure going to be an interesting race to follow this year.
Dreamchasers has a men's team that hopes to WIN the team division overall as well as WIN the race overall. This would be the FIRST time in the 24 year history of the race. I will be able to follow the race really well so stay tuned! The main race web site will have great photos and stories as well:)
Mike Wardian #870
Bryon Powell #869
Ted Archer #868

To track and communicate with a runner. You can track the results on the main website http://www.darbaroud.com/index_uk.php (This is the link to the English version, if by chance it pops up in French, simply click on the American Flag in the upper right hand corner.)

You can also write to a runner at the same site. This will be really helpful to all the runners.

There will be a section on the website from March 29 to April 3rd (After April 3rd this will no longer be available.) Look for the instructions under "écrire aux concurrents/write to competitors.” This is important: YOU MUST INCLUDE THE RUNNERS FULL NAME and RACE ID in the SUBJECT of the EMAIL.

Put: To Competitor AND the race # in the subject line. They will print out all the emails addressed to runners and deliver them to there tent at night. DO NOT SEND ANY ATTACHMENTS OR PHOTOS or the email will not reach the runners. There are over 800 runner's so you can imagine that printing out and delivering emails for 800 people would take a long time.

Race # of all Dreamchasers!!

Iwan Axt # 785
Arthur Baczyk # 786
Jane Ballantyne #787
Jay Batchen # 788
Richard Bryson # 789
Connie Carpenter # 790
Benji Chu # 791
Anton Clark #792
Rebecca Clements # 793
Andrew Cohen # 794
David Croghan #795
Ian Cunliffe # 796
David Deany # 797
Alessandro Tomaiuolo #799
Giuseppe Radaelli #800
Umberto Pizzochero # 801
Leandro Contessi #803
Alessandro Dal Toso #804
Ugo Marco Vendramel # 805
Renzo Marcanzin #806
Stefano Calvi #807
Giuseppe Scotti # 808
Luciano Rossi #809
Carlo Bianchi #810
Alessandro Carrara # 811
Leonardo Bisori #812
Patrizio Fedozzi # 813
Robert Dobson # 815
Teresa Donnelly # 816
Jessica Downs # 817
Matthew Dyer #818
Kerri Elfvin # 819
Jean Paul Frey # 820
Tess Geddes #821
Jill Halabi #822
William Henderson #823
Lynne Hewett #824
Meghan Hicks #825
Steven Holman # 826
Julie Horton # 827
Mohammed Idlibi # 828
Dennis Janzen # 829
Reinier Jesserun # 830
Michael Julier # 832
David Kemp # 833
Danny Kendall # 834
Ineke Kuiper # 835
Francis Labrune # 836
Christine Lallier # 837
Caroline Lea # 838
Marc Leclerc # 839
Ray Levasseur # 840
Terence Madl #841
Paul Mayson #842
Christian Vachon # 843
Mandy Miller #844
Katherine Morgan #845
Emeka Ngwube # 846
Yoan Paquet # 847
Karl Roche #848
Leo Rogato # 849
Paul Roper #850
Luke Rowden #851
Hans Schmid #852
Molly Sheridan # 853
Elizabeth Smith # 854
Michael Smith # 855
Alisha Strobel # 857
Keith Sullivan # 858
Jordan Thurlow # 859
Patrick Tomada #860
George Velasco # 861
Samuel Whitaker # 862
Daphne Williams # 863
Colleen Woods # 864
Albert Martens #865
Walter Unrau #866
Dale Wohlgemuth # 867
Guy Gibbs #871
Nikolai Pitchforth # 872
Darren Karasiuk #874
Daniel Ouimet #875
Leo Power #876
Pascal Boutreau # 877
Fabrice Pradin # 878
Walter Batel # 879

Go Team!!!!
May you have the journey and experience of a lifetime!

Lisa

MDS: The Sahara Desert is under water!!!!

The Sahara Desert is UNDER WATER!!!!

Good morning everyone! While you are all warm and toasty in your beds over 850 runner's who are in Morocco to run the Marathon des Sables just might have to swim sections of the race.
Just kidding. The first stage at this point has been canceled! This is the first time in 24 year's that they have had to cancel any stage of a race. This is the first time in 24 years that 10 time winner Lachen has seen the kind of rain and flooding they are having.
All runner's have been taken to hotels and as it looks right now the race will start on Monday not on Sunday. This will cut the distance form 155 miles to 132 miles. As you can imagine what the race organizers are going through right now to work out all of the changes that need to be put in place. Jay said that everyone is in good spirits...really as they say..things happen.
Below are a few emails from Jay as to what is going on and also Bryon Powells blog link!
Have a great day
Lisa


.Email #1 from Friday!..it was pouring all day today. Our group was split up and sent out to the bivouac on two buses. The first left at 7:30am and the second at 10am. I was with the second group and we were stopped for about 4 hours while a flash flood washed made the road impassable. It seriously looked like class 5 rapids were rolling over the road. Eventually, the water subsided a bit and they sent the catering truck across to see if it was possible to get a vehicle across to the other side. It made it, so we pulled all of our gear out from under the bus and put it inside. Then, the driver proceeded to drive across...as soon as the current hit the bus, we felt the bus shift, but made it through successfully. WHEW?
At that point, we'd been on the bus for about 6 hours. As we continued on toward the bivouac we encountered numerous other washes, but none were as violent. Eventually, we made it to Erfoud where we met up with the others who took the earlier bus. They made it as close as 1km from the bivouac, but were returned to Erfoud where they spent most of the day on the bus as it continued to downpour. It turns out that the first bivouac is under water, so plans changed quickly.
The decision was made by the race organizers to put us in hotels for the night, which is much better than the other options. I have to get off line, but wanted to let you know that everyone is safe.



http://blog.irunfar.com/

Email #2 from Sat. morning: We're still at the hotel (11am here) and it's still raining. The first stage has been canceled. Cannot believe it. We're at the same hotel as Lahcen and some of the other top Moroccans. Still haven't found the other part of our group, but I'm about to go look for them. As of right now, they plan on doing the admin/medical checks tomorrow, Sunday, and starting us off at what would be the second bivouac. Still waiting for confirmation, but they need to see if the vehicle out there to the check-points. We'll see what happens next.

Meet ANDY JONES-WILKINS in August!

CAMP SCHEDULE

At the August 2009 Dreamchaser camp in the Tetons, we are proud to announce that Lisa will be joined by Andy Jones-Wilkins. Lisa and Andy will offer their collective expertise. Interested in coming to this camp? E-mail Lisa at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com with the subject 'August Camp' and we will reply with more camp details.

See you in AUGUST!!!

Andy Jones-Wilkins began his ultramarathon running career after discovering the rugged, mountainous trails of Arizona in 1996. Upon moving to Northern California in 2001 he began participating in 100-mile races that he soon discovered to be his strongest distance. The trails of Northern California proved to be quite good to Andy as he has steadily made his way into the elite level of 100-mile trail races over the past five years.

Currently living in the mountain town of Ketchum, Idaho Andy has now discovered the value of high altitude mountain training that he hopes will continue to propel his running career upward. He has a particular love for remote, high mountain, technical trails.

Andy is a married father of three children. His wife Shelly and his three sons (Carson, Logan, and Tully) are his biggest supporters and crew for him at every 100-mile race he runs.

Andy’s remarkable running career has been documented in regional and national publications. Among them are Running Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, Trail Runner, Ultrarunning, The Oakland Tribune, The Idaho Mountain Express and The Auburn Journal. Additionally, in July, 2007 Andy was featured prominently on NBC Television’s Jeep World of Adventure Sports’ coverage of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and in 2008 on PLUM TV’s feature story on endurance athletes of the mountain west.

Andy’s personal records include:

Marathon - 2:38
50 km- 3:31
50 Mile - 6:55
100 km - 9:10
100 Mile - 14:57

Come meet Andy at camp or say hello to him this summer when he competes in these races: Western States 100 Mile, Hardrock 100 Mile, Leadville Trail 100 Mile, and the Javelina Jundred.

Meet RAY ZAHAB in July!

CAMP SCHEDULE

At the July 2009 Dreamchaser camp in the Tetons, we are proud to announce that Lisa will be joined by Ray Zahab. Lisa and Ray will offer their collective expertise. Interested in coming to this camp? E-mail Lisa at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com with the subject 'July Camp' and we will reply with more camp details.

See you in JULY!!!

Ray Zahab is an adventurer and ultra marathoner.

On November 1, 2006 Ray and two other runners set out on an epic expedition to cross the Sahara Desert by foot. One hundred and eleven days after leaving the coast of Senegal they made history by dipping their toes into the Red Sea and raising the bar of all that we consider possible.

The epic expedition had the trio running an average of 70km’s a day, without a single day of rest. National Geographic tracked this epic expedition by web, and the documentary film ‘Running The Sahara’ - narrated and produced by Matt Damon – was filmed in an effort raise awareness for the drinking water crisis in Northern Africa. After witnessing and experiencing the water crisis and malaria epidemic in Africa, Ray decided to dedicate his future adventures to raising awareness and funding for causes that he supports and believes in.

Two years later, Ray, and two other Canadians, broke the world speed record for an unsupported expedition to the South Pole, In the process, Ray became the first person to trek this traditional route to the South Pole solely on foot- without the use of skis. This expedition was completed as part of Ray’s Foundation, impossible2Possible, a non-profit organization with a mission is to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning, and inclusion and participation in expeditions.

Ray is a member of the board of Directors of the Ryan’s Well Foundation, is the official Athletic Ambassador to the ONExONE organization, and is a representative of SpreadTheNet. Ray was the recipient of the ONExONE Difference Award in 2007.

Learn more about Ray at: http://www.rayzahab.com/

Meet DR LISA BLISS in June!

CAMP SCHEDULE

At the June 2009 Dreamchaser camp in the Tetons, we are proud to announce that Lisa will be joined by Dr. Lisa Bliss. Share in their collective expertise! Interested in coming to this camp? E-mail Lisa at lisa@dreamchaserevents.com with the subject 'June Camp' and we will reply with more camp details.

See you in JUNE!!!

Dr. Lisa Bliss is a physician, board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has an outpatient private practice in Spokane, Washington that specializes in Sports and Spine injuries. She did her training at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

Lisa has been the Badwater Medical Director since 2003, heading up a team of 8-10 medical professionals for the race held in Death Valley in July. She was Medical Director at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run for two years in 2005 and 2006.

Lisa has conducted research on fluid and electrolyte changes at ultramarathons in extreme heat environments. Her professional goals are to restore and maximize one’s function and to prevent reinjury.

Lisa is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a leading member of the American Road Runners’ Society Best Practices Committee, which strives to stay abreast of the most appropriate medical diagnoses and treatments of runners.

Lisa started running marathons during medical school and ran her first ultra in 1999. She has completed 60 ultramarathons, including numerous 100-mile races, and 24- and 48-hour races. She has run the Badwater Ultramarathon twice and won the women’s race in 2007. Lisa’s 100-mile personal best is 19 hours 42 minutes, a top-ten time for women in 2008.
Lisa’s running philosophy is that each person has unique needs and goals, which means that optimal training styles and intensities vary from person to person.

Core Training Class Schedule - Teton Valley, Idaho

This blog post is for anyone who lives in Teton Valley...or anyone who wants to come visit and take these great classes...ALL are welcome!!!

Core Training Class Schedule
At the Nikko Judo Academy
Class Leaders: Lisa Smith-Batchen and Mike Ehredt

This schedule is subject to change and updates will be communicated as early as possible to provide you with advance notice.

MONDAY
6am Morning Class……………..Mike
9am Morning Class……………..Lisa


TUESDAY
6am Morning Class……………..Lisa


WEDNESDAY
6am Morning Class……………..Mike
9am Morning Class……………..Lisa
6:30pm Evening Class…………Mike or Lisa


THURSDAY
6am Morning Class……………..Lisa


FRIDAY
6am Morning Class……………..Mike*
9am Morning Class……………..Lisa



Class Prices, effective March 1, 2009
* Drop-in class = $10
* 10 Class Punch card (expires in 3 mths) = $80
* Monthly Unlimited Card = $85

These classes are geared towards all levels….Beginners to Advanced!

These workouts will find your weakness and allow them to become your strengths. These workouts are great for any sport you love to do or just for those trying to drop a few pounds, be with a group of motivated people and get back into shape.

Each class is 1 hour. You will get your heart rate up, work all muscles in the body & at the end stretch.

You will be in bare feet. Bring a towel, water, a friend and your happy attitude.



For more information,
e-mail lisa@dreamchaserevents.com

March 2009 Dreamchasers Women's Training Camp

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
You playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our light shine,
we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our fear,
our presence automatically liberates other.”

--Marianne Williamson


Dreamchasers Women’s Training Camp – March 2009

Hard to believe nearly a week has passed since the week-long Dreamchasers Women’s Training Camp took place. It was an amazing week, filled with lots of laughter, a few healing tears and the emergence of many friendships we trust will endure for years to come.

The camp began on Monday night and ran through Sunday afternoon. To describe it as action-packed is to say the least…and we couldn’t have enjoyed it more, sharing the week with many women visiting the Tetons for the first time.

Campers hailed from California, Missouri, Illinois, and NY…plus some neighbors including residents of Jackson, Victor, Driggs and Rexburg. Their collective experience was formidable – including women who have run marathons and ultramarathons and climbed the Grand Teton. And for those with less athletic experience, it was so rewarding to watch how the veterans readily shared their experience and even confided that they envied the rush and reward that comes with doing many of these things for the first time.

We offer a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderful guest speakers:

Katsey Long, LCSW: Katsey’s memorable discussion on Setting Boundaries inspired conversations among campers for the entire week. Perhaps it was best said by one of the campers who shared: “I had to learn this slowly, but I now understand that NO is a complete sentence.” Sometimes, explanations just aren’t necessary.

Dr. Maura Lofaro: Dr. Maura shared a heart warming account of her own life and the role that running has played in it. Her passion for running was sparked by her Dad and has helped her in her role as a caregiver to both her patients and children. Look for her running in Jackson and inspiring us all!

Laurie Andrews: As Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Land Trust, it came as little surprise that Laurie loves the outdoors. However, her offering to the group allowed us to understand how she has grown to know the mountains and that her race accomplishments are based on some simple, but lasting, principles…including advice to build on your past success. Laurie, thanks for the quote that starts this Blog post!

Dr. Naomi Albertson: In sports, nutrition and hydration are described as disciplines that can’t be ignored. Dr. Naomi shared her knowledge and advice about hydration and dealing with different elements. An excellent teacher, Naomi brought samples of commonly used sports drinks and foods and helped us learn about sodium counts and how to read labels. Naomi, thanks for making us all safer on the course and in training…and hopefully eliminating some visits to the Medic tents!

Adolfo Gutierrez: A Judo sensei, Adolfo led our group through a 90 minute Self Defense class. He helped us learn how to get away from a person who threatens us and to understand our need to trust our intuition. A big thanks to helping us feel safer and more grounded in our ability to protect ourselves.

If you would like to join us at a future camp, e-mail us at colleen@dreamchaserevents.com



For a listing of the 2009 camp dates, click here:
http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/lisasmithbatchen/camp_schedule.htm



Here are some photos of a week’s worth of fun!

Snowshoeing!

Our New Friends from Rexburg!





A Sleigh Ride Dinner!



The infamous CORE class!

The tire pull!

Cross-country Skiing!

Katsey & Lisa


Colleen & Liz

Marie & Lisa

Lunch at Julie's Awesome Yurt!

You all have to read this book!!!

Hi my friends!!

You have GOT to read this book written by one of my coaching students, Ted Archer!

"Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil" is a story about the Marathon Des Sables, the 150-mile ultra-marathon through Morocco's Sahara Desert. www.tedarcher.com has a photo slideshow, a video clip that ABC News ran on the race, and even excerpts of the book that you can download for free.

You will quickly see that it's an amazing story--and you'll want to buy the book! Ted, the author, is someone I met two years ago when he attended one of our running camps. He was a naturally gifted runner, but he was hilarious: He knew nothing about running.

He had finished a marathon without eating or drinking anything, and he had never heard of some of the most basic running gear. He went from this to finishing 16th (the top American!) in a field of 802 runners at the world's toughest footrace.

Look at the photos, read a piece of his story, and watch the video--and you'll need to find out how it ends.
One of the great things about this book is that it's a story, not a journal. It's a fun read, and it's inspiring to read about someone else's journey. You'll also get to know many other runners (of varying abilities) who struggled along with Ted through 125-degree heat, sand dunes, salt flats, and rock gardens.

Go to www.tedarcher.com, look at the photos, read the excerpts, and buy the book!
Oh, and look for an interview with Ted to come out next week at www.enduranceplanet.com. -

Love to all
Lisa

The greatest goal you can set this year!

Love this:) Lisa


The greatest goal you can set this year is to make peace with your life, no matter your circumstances. These 10 powerful insights from Eckhart Tolle will get you started.

1. Don't seek happiness. If you seek it, you won't find it, because seeking is the antithesis of happiness. Happiness is ever elusive, but freedom from unhappiness is attainable now, by facing what is rather than making up stories about it.

2. The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral, which always is as it is. There is the situation or the fact, and here are my thoughts about it. Instead of making up stories, stay with the facts. For example, "I am ruined" is a story. It limits you and prevents you from taking effective action. "I have 50 cents left in my bank account" is a fact. Facing facts is always empowering.

3. See if you can catch the voice in your head, perhaps in the very moment it complains about something, and recognize it for what it is: the voice of the ego, no more than a thought.

4. Whenever you notice that voice, you will also realize that you are not the voice, but the one who is aware of it. In fact, you are the awareness that is aware of the voice. In the background, there is the awareness. In the foreground, there is the voice, the thinker. In this way you are becoming free of the ego, free of the unobserved mind.
Wherever you look, there is plenty of circumstantial evidence for the reality of time—a rotting apple, your face in the bathroom mirror compared with your face in a photo taken 30 years ago—yet you never find any direct evidence, you never experience time itself. You only ever experience the present moment.

5. Why do anxiety, stress, or negativity arise? Because you turned away from the present moment. And why did you do that? You thought something else was more important. One small error, one misperception, creates a world of suffering.

6. People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly. They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened but should have. And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself, a perfection that lies beyond what is happening or not happening. Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is untouched by time.

7. The more shared past there is in a relationship, the more present you need to be; otherwise, you will be forced to relive the past again and again.

8. Equating the physical body with "I," the body that is destined to grow old, wither, and die, always leads to suffering. To refrain from identifying with the body doesn't mean that you no longer care for it. If it is strong, beautiful, or vigorous, you can appreciate those attributes—while they last. You can also improve the body's condition through nutrition and exercise. If you don't equate the body with who you are, when beauty fades, vigor diminishes, or the body becomes incapacitated, this will not affect your sense of worth or identity in any way. In fact, as the body begins to weaken, the light of consciousness can shine more easily.

9. You do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you and allowing that goodness to emerge.

10. If peace is really what you want, then you will choose peace.

Are you depressed or know someone who might be?

Many who know me, know that I suffer depression,,more so in the winter months.
One thing I have learned is this: you can't run and hide from depression.
I have gotten many emails in the past few weeks about friends, students, people all over the World asking about depression. I am not a therapist or a Doctor. I can only tell you my own personal struggle with depression, share with you what I do to help the depression.
Depression is a real illness like diabetes or any other illness. I listen to people all the time say things such as: it is all in there head, why don't they just get off the couch and go for a run or walk, why don't they eat better....and so on.
Why, why, why???
Until you have experienced depression yourself of have been with someone who suffers depression it is very hard to understand.
Below is some information that I hope will help you today. I am here for all of you as your friend.
Please share with all of us the ways you deal with depression or ask other questions on how you can help someone you know that is suffering from depression.

Lisa


DEPRESSION

There are several signs and symptoms that help a healthcare professional determine if a person is suffering from depression. In general, a person must have five (or more) of the symptoms listed below during the same two-week period.
These symptoms must represent a change from the way he or she used to function. In addition, at least one of the symptoms must be either
#1 depressed mood or #2 loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Common symptoms of depression1 1. Depressed or irritable mood most of the day—nearly every day
2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities (such as hobbies, work, sex, or being with friends) most of the day—nearly every day
3. A sudden change in weight (weight loss without dieting, gaining more than 5% of body weight in 1 month), or a change in appetite
4. Inability to sleep or sleeping too much, nearly every day
5. Agitation or restlessness (observed by others) nearly every day
6. Constant fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. Frequent feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
8. Difficulty concentrating or making decisions nearly every day
9. Frequent thoughts of death or suicide (or a suicide attempt or plan) /
Important note: If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, seek professional help immediately through your healthcare professional, or call 411 to get the phone number for the nearest local suicide hotline./ In addition to having five or more of the symptoms above, in order to lead to the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD)This is a physician's term for a specific type of depression.

A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder must have either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. The person must have these symptoms consistently for at least a two-week period. Furthermore, this mood must represent a change from the person's normal mood. It should also be having a negative impact on his or her daily function, such as family, work, socializing, etc. A depressed mood caused by drugs or alcohol, or one caused by a medical condition, is not considered a major depressive disorder. Remember, only a doctor can properly diagnose this or any other disorder.
<../resources/glossary/terms_m-p.aspx>, the symptoms must cause significant distress or impair the person's ability to function.
This means the symptoms have a negative affect on how the person functions socially, at his or her job, or in some other aspect of their life. It's important to know that there are several different illnesses that can account for symptoms of depression.
Your doctor or other healthcare professional must rule out other possible causes (including other medicines or illegal drugs) before diagnosing you with depression.^
1 There are many reasons, or even a combination of reasons why a person might become depressed. These include traumatic life experiences such as the death of a loved one, certain diseases or medicines, substance abuse, hormonal changes, or a family history of depression. Sometimes the cause of depression is unknown. More often it is a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors that bring on a depressive episode.^
1 Whatever the circumstances, depression is caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain. Normally, these “chemical messengers” help nerve cells communicate with one another by sending and receiving messages. They may also influence a person's mood. In the case of depression, the available supply of the chemical messengers is low, so nerve cells can't communicate effectively. This often results in symptoms of depression .
Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status, can suffer from depression. A disease that affects millions of Americans each year, believed to be caused by an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters. <../resources/glossary/terms_d-l.aspx>.
It is estimated that 19 million American adults suffer from depression every year.
Depression is not a weakness or a character flaw—it is a real medical illness. But the good news is that with proper treatment, 4 out of 5 patients will improve.^
1 People who suffer from depression are not just moody or have “the blues” for a few days. They experience long periods of feeling very sad and lose interest in social and daily activities. Many feel they have no concentration and no energy. Depression can change the way a person feels, thinks, and behaves.
* The causes of depression are not always clear. It may be triggered by an event or for no apparent reason at all. Genetics may also play a role in not providing your brain with enough serotonin. A neurotransmitter that is believed to influence mood. SSRIs help relieve the symptoms of depression by increasing the available supply of serotonin in the brain. <../resources/glossary/terms_q-s.aspx>. Learn more about the causes of depression . * The symptoms of depression may differ from person to person.

Some symptoms may include a persistent sad mood, lack of pleasure in activities, change in sleep or eating habits, or a feeling of worthlessness. Learn more about the symptoms of depression . * If you think you may be suffering from depression, take the Depression Self-Screener <../check_symptoms/dep_screener.aspx>. Results are anonymous. Be sure to share your answers with your healthcare professional so he or she can properly diagnose your condition and provide appropriate treatment. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose depression. * If you don't know whether or not your depression is serious enough to visit a doctor, read our Seeing a healthcare professional <../talk_doctor/seeing_hcp.aspx> section for guidance.

* Dealing with depression can be challenging. But it is treatable with medicine and therapy.
Read more about treatment options , and review some suggestions on additional ways of coping with depression .

Did you know that a person can experience both depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) at the same time? Learn more about the connection between depression and GAD .

*References: 1.* National Advisory Mental Health Council. Healthcare reform for Americans with severe mental illnesses. /Am J Psychiatry/. 1993;150:1447-65.

Depression is Not the Same for Everyone You don't need to experience all of the signs and symptoms listed above to be diagnosed with depression. Symptoms will also vary from person to person. For instance, compared with depressed men, depressed women are more likely to experience guilt, weight gain, anxiety, eating disorders, or increased sleep. Depressed older adults tend to experience persistent sadness or “empty” moods. It is important to remember that depression is a medical condition like any other. And, just as there are treatments for conditions like diabetes or heart disease, there are treatment options available for depression. Be sure to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional so they can determine if you have symptoms of depression.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of depression, take the Depression Self-Screener <../check_symptoms/dep_screener.aspx> and then discuss the results with your healthcare professional. Did you know the symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can overlap? Or that a person can experience both conditions at the same time? Learn more about the overlap of depression and GAD .

Visit www.EndurancePlanet.com for My Interview on Injuries and the Ten-Percent Rule

I am so honored to be a part of the EP expert group for the website: www.EndurancePlanet.com

Part of being an EP expert means being interviewed and responding to questions posed by their website visitors.

This week, I respond to a runner dealing with injuries as he approached his first 100 miler.

Download this interview as an MP3 file and listen to the interview on your next run.

Happy Feet!

LSB

Read All About It!

FACEBOOK: Become a Fan of Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club

I am getting my feet wet on Facebook and thank all of you who have become my friends!

I’d love to invite each of you to be a part of the Dreamchasers group on Facebook. I know so many of you know each other already…but here’s a chance to meet a few more great people. And post some photos from your training and races…how I love to see those!

Nuts and Bolts…how do you join?

Go to this link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victor-ID/Dreamchasers-Outdoor-Adventure-Club/59145279166

And in the upper right-hand side of the page you’ll see a link that reads ‘Become a Fan’. Click on it and your part of the group!

GOOD READING: Women’s Running Magazine!

I read the inaugural issue of Women’s Running magazine…and thought, “How great! A magazine for women about running!” And I read it cover to cover…and discovered interesting and informative articles. I know that before the year is over, I will be reading articles in this magazine about one of you reading the Blog today.

So here’s an offer for you to think about: Subscribe to Women’s Running magazine now and receive 10 issues for $19.95 plus get a free Run Girl shirt.

Women’s Running magazine has the stories, advice and inspiration to keep you motivated and running strong. Women’s Running will help you:

· Run smarter with women’s-specific training plans.
· Find the latest shoes, gear and apparel just for women.
· Eat healthier using our easy and nutritious recipes.
· Get inspired and motivated for your next run.
· Discover new events and organizations created just for women runners like you.


Subscribe Now to receive your free shirt! Visit www.womensrunningmag.com/freeshirt to sign up.

Note: Women’s Running was formerly Her Sports + Fitness magazine. If you subscribe to this offer and you already have a current Her Sports + Fitness subscription or recently subscribed to Women’s Running, we will add your new issues to your current subscription. No issues will be lost.

Great thought!

The more things you are glad for,

the more things you will have to be glad for...

Just be glad and your fate will change,

a new future will dawn for you.

Happy weekend!!!!

Lisa

A Valentine’s Gift She Will Not Forget

For those of you considering Valentine’s gifts for your sweetie, or for those of treating yourself (you deserve it!), I’d like to tell you about an upcoming camp.

Please join us in March 2009
for the Dreamchasers Women’s Training Camp
at the Teton Springs Lodge and Spa

The camp is for all women of ALL abilities who want to learn all about fitness and how to accomplish anything. She can snowshoe, skate ski, walk, hike, run…even bring her bike!

Attached is information regarding the camp.
CAMP DESCRIPTION

And we are so pleased to announce the list of Guest Speakers who will be presenting at camp. GUEST SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

If you live locally and do not require hotel accommodation, please e-mail Colleen at colleen@dreamchaserevents.com and she can provide you details about our locals package.

Dreamchasers has a longstanding tradition of hosting memorable camps that help people move towards a healthy lifestyle and enjoy lots of laughs. Please take some time to visit our feedback from past campers.
CAMPER TESTIMONIALS

Something to enjoy apres work-out...a hot tub and a magnificent view!

Click HERE to visit the website fo Teton Springs Lodge & Spa, the beautiful place where we wil stay.