The Road to Ultra: July 2007

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Hematuria

Today's Run: 3.0
Run Time: 28:03
Total Miles to Date: 582.1

Thoughts on the Run:

As I mentioned I'm on the road today so this entry will be brief. I woke up early yesterday to perform my run originally scheduled for today. Inched the pace up a bit - just 0.1 miles per hour - but that shaved a good half minute from my total time.

After the run I had an unpleasant surprise - a mild case of hematuria. Fortunately it cleared right away and hasn't repeated but I will definitely see my physician about it. If the term is unfamiliar, you can search for it ... apparently it is fairly common, which surprised me when I did research, but not something to ignore.

Otherwise I feel great, have been living healthy this week and training hard. Tomorrow is a light 3 mile run in the morning.

Until next time,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 6:13 PM | 1 comments

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Heated Faith and Boiling Trust

Today's Run: 5.26
Run Time: 1:02:25 (11:51 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 579.1

Thoughts on the Run:

So today I woke up after a full night's rest to a nice thunderstorm. My wife picked up some bagels and we enjoyed those together with coffee and some of the delicious oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that she and my daughter baked last night. We watched a movie together and then the skies cleared.

I decided that I would go ahead and get the run done with. I did miss my workout yesterday, and I have a full day trip scheduled for Tuesday to New Jersey. So how do I get my schedule green (that's the color I use for completed/successful days)?

Simple ... tomorrow I'll combine weight training with the "cross training." Monday, my "day off" I'll do Tuesday's run ... I'll take a day off on Tuesday (my day trip) and then I'm on schedule!

This run, of course, fell in the middle of the day. If you asked me, I would have told you it was 100 degrees but apparently it was only 87 ... but a lot of humidity. The run started out fine but I really felt the heat. At least this was an opportunity to start getting used to training in the summer!

As I began to run, I thought of two things: faith and trust. First, I had faith in myself that I would push through and finish the run. However, I also smiled to myself as I was plodding up a hill and felt the hot, hot sun beating down on the back of my neck: I also had to place a lot of trust. In my sunscreen. It was the only thing between me and lots of red skin and blisters. Fortunately, I think it held up well.

I don't know how much fluid I lost or gained, as I took a 16 oz bottle and drank that. I decided to let things go with the flow this week and not weigh in until tomorrow to see how well I am on the path to running the marathon 15 pounds lighter.

One person was asking me about the DietPower software I recommend ... why am I not using it right now? Simple answer: because it is not the right tool for what I'm doing.

Let me explain: I've used it many times to successfully shed lots of pounds. It's not for everyone, because it doesn't address the mindset aspect nor will it prepare your meals for you. It simply adjusts to your metabolic rate so you always know exactly how many calories are needed to "get the job done" and then if you stick with clean, healthy calories and are faithful to the program, you will shed the pounds. This is what I used for several photo shoots to come in on photo day at the exact goal weight I intended (sometimes even under) months prior.

This time, however, I am expanding upon this and setting different rules. I think it's important to get very precise with calories when losing weight. I always have people ask me, "Why can't I lose this weight? I eat mostly clean." But they can't tell me how many calories they are consuming and aren't consistent with portion sizes. "I don't want to live that way" or "That's too difficult" is what I get, followed by the complains about how "I'll never lose the weight." They want an extraordinary result but aren't willing to take extraordinary measures.

However, once you've done this and sacrificed, you learn a lot about yourself. I think it is mandatory for some people to do this type of program to learn exactly what a certain amount of calories looks like and just how much exercise is needed to truly "offset" the higher calorie meals. It is a learning experience.

I'm at the point in my life, however, where I want to take it up a level. I think it is very difficult to set strict rules and abide by them to reach a goal ... however, what's even harder is to live life on the terms you deserve and desire WITHOUT setting strict rules. In other words, for some people, it's even HARDER to live with MORE freedom than to have those rules because it's so easy to create excuses and stray. So this time as I prepare, I've got some parameters I've set but no strict rules of calories or do this or don't do that. I'm doing this 100% based on feeling great about myself and giving my body the exercise, rest, and nutrition it deserves. It is a fun journey and the first week as been amazing!

So I finished the run feeling like I melted but I'm here. That really wasn't hot. You want hot? How about this 70 year-old who ran 135 miles in the desert in just over 55 hours?

Running can be dangerous, according to this article. It seems after every marathon someone wants to run an article talking about how runners should "exercise caution" (pardon the pun) and beware because you can drop dead. It is true, runners die. But statistically speaking, while dozens die in races or training, hundreds of thousands die doing other activities. So it's sort of like seeing lightning strike a tree and saying, "Beware of this spot in the forest - it's dangerous." No, beware the lightning.

But what do these risks mean? If you're into statistics, check out this page which breaks it down.

Anyway, that's it for now ... until next time,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 1:51 PM | 0 comments

Thursday, July 26, 2007

I Woke, I Ran

Today's Run: 3.0m
Run Time: 28:36 (9:32 mile)
Total Miles to Date: 573.8

Thoughts on the Run:

I woke. I ran. Nuff said.

Sorry this isn't longer ... a busy day, but I got it done, had my fruit and healthy eats ... all is good. Wrapping up the first week soon!

posted by Jeremy Likness | 8:29 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Getting to "Yes"

Today's Run: 3.0m
Run Time: 31:00
Total Miles to Date: 570.8

Thoughts on the Run:

Wow. What a run this morning.

This has probably been the busiest I've ever been. We are doing some major projects with a company in the Pacific Time Zone, so I've been having some late hours. In fact, I believe the past three days I've only slept about 6 hours. That's not to brag ... I certainly value rest, but sometimes in live you've got to step to the plate and "get it done" as well.

What's important is that despite this schedule, it hasn't turned into an excuse to impact my training nor my nutrition. Now, this isn't a soapbox because you only have to read prior blog entries to see that I have been affected by this in the past. I'm human and I make those mistakes. But I went into this week knowing it wouldn't be an issue. Why is that?

Because I got to "yes." As I mention in the opening chapter of Lose Fat, Not Faith, making the decision is perhaps the most powerful step you can take. It talks about this in the context of fat loss, but it really relates to anything. When I fell short 6 miles on my marathon, did it "break my spirit?" I don't think so ... spirit is not there to be broken. What happened was somewhere BEFORE that run, I had let my decision grow weak. The evidence is there ... the issues didn't start with that marathon or immediately after, but several weeks before.

See, my decision wasn't deep and compelling enough so it didn't drive me to do what was necessary. Now I'm not saying that even 20 miles isn't a great effort and I am very thankful for what I accomplished and for not giving up ... but in a sense, I did throw in the towel mentally a little sooner.

It was a great epiphany so this time around I decided I wasn't going to let my ego be the stakeholder and try to "do it all myself." So I sat down with my family and we all participated in setting goals and I asked them, along with God, to assist me. See, I said, "I will try my best but I acknowledge and receive the support of others." And that support has been a powerful, driving force.

So I just ran 3 miles in the morning after just a few hours of sleep and it was great. I'm enjoying a bowl of fruit right now and ready to take on the remaining challenges of the day and to learn how I can grow as a result.

If you really get to "yes" deep within, then "no" simply doesn't know where to find you!

Oh, and I really don't see running 3 miles on little sleep as a "feat" but just a personal breakthrough. A feat would be what these people are doing in the desert right now as I type this. WOW! Inspirational, to say the least.

In the world of "another way to package an existing well-known method with a catchy new name" we have Synapse exercise which promises to be a "whole new way" to work muscles. I'm sure if you read the article you'll find it's a whole new way to give a name to an entire old and well-known method.

Some of these are quite creative. For example, instead of the advice that has been tossed around for thousands of years to simply eat a variety of whole foods, it's now been marketed as the new, exciting method of energy density (read: eat the apple with the peel and leave the processed chips behind).

Now back to it, your friend in fitness,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 9:41 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tread Lightly

Today's Run: 3.0m
Run Time: 28:47 (9:36 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 567.8m

Thoughts on the Run:

This was a very busy day ... I was up at 3:30am working on some projects, so when I had a brief lull at 5:30, I headed down to the basement and hit the treadmill. I decided that I would alternate treadmill work with running outside during my training ... paced interval runs for the short runs then a longer run midweek and on the weekend. Starting out light but will work my way up.

My intervals were 6 segments going from 5mph to 6, 7, then 8, back down, etc, with a minute a 9mph at the end. It was fun!

Eats today were simple:

Banana and apple after the run (fruit requirement: check)
Oatmeal and two hard boiled eggs for a later breakfast
Lunch was a chicken sandwich
At home I snuck a taste of some delicious home-cooked brownie, but then dinner:
Tilapia, wild rice, and peas (veggies: check)

All in all a great day.

I am tired but happy that I put in the effort to finish the run. It was a nice, aggressive pace that I'll gradually increase from week to week.

I was excited to see more information on the topic of natural ways to combat certain issues ... in this case, the impact of a healthful diet on asthma in teens. Every day you can read more about how important healthy nutrition is ... just read about antioxidants and arthritis, for example.

As a coffee lover, I was also happy to read that coffee has a tightening and antioxidant effect on the skin. Oh, wait, you mean I have to rub it on, instead of drink it? Nevermind.

Anyway, planning on another very early morning followed by a refreshing 3 mile run outside. Until then,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 7:03 PM | 0 comments

Sunday, July 22, 2007

The Schedule is Set!

Okay, the schedule is set.

That's right ... the goal now has a deadline.

I have published my running calendar here:

Marathon 2007.

Of course you'll be able to read the updates and see the statistics on this blog.

I am going with a "novice" approach to the marathon. While I have been running for quite some time now, I realize that I tend to do too much, too fast. This schedule allows me to ease up the mileage again and avoid the injury and pressure I felt last time trying to tackle an intermediate schedule.

I'll update the schedule as I train.

For cross-training I'll either swim or ride my bike and have no set amount of calories to burn or schedule. For weight training it is again more of "by instinct" and I'll either jangle, do a yoga session, or hit the local clubhouse and actually lift.

I'm excited to have a schedule in place. The running hadn't concerned me at all, however. What I was going to post was that "My greatest challenge will be nutrition." Then I realized, how, if that's what I expect, then that's what I'll get! So this time, forget it. Let it go. It won't be a challenge. I will be 100% focused and choose not to let it be a challenge. I will break 200 pounds by the marathon (imagine how much easier it will be to run 26.2 with 15 pounds less weight per footfall!).

Here we go!

posted by Jeremy Likness | 1:46 PM | 0 comments

Saturday, July 21, 2007

In the Crosshair

So, the goals are in the cross-hair.

I posted my goal races to the Golden Summit Calendar. Right now it looks like a 5K in September, a half-marathon in October and then the big marathon in November. There they are ... dreams with deadlines, becoming real. Time to manifest a win!

Another reason why I feel lousy when I am eating clean but fail to exercise consistently: Exercise Helps Blood Sugar Levels. They say diet is questionable, but I know a lot of people who will say otherwise through their own experience.

There is an interesting twist to rest during exercise ... does resting between sets actually improve how much fat you burn? This article seems to imply it.

Oh, in the "funny comment of the month" club, someone posted to my Power of Losing Fat, Not Faith YouTube video and actually accused me of using steroids! They cited my "bloated muscles" (I'm looking forward to an explanation of what a bloated is) and bald head as evidence. I assured the poster that the baldness on my head is the side effect of taking a razor to it. What is the quote, sometimes a cigar is just a cigar?

There is an interesting article about managing cravings that indicates researchers will determine whether its possible to "change your cravings." Seriously, do we need research to do this? If even one person can transform their lifestyle to enjoy healthy foods like salads and lean proteins, isn't it then at least possible for others as well? Certainly we can tap into this ... doesn't it become part of the morphogenetic field?

Guess what happens Monday? A case of Badwater, that's what. This is a truly inspirational race ...

Speaking of which, time for me to start some marathon training.

Take care,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 10:53 AM | 0 comments

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Command and Control

Just loaded this video, I hope you enjoy ... it's 40 minutes in length:

If you have trouble viewing this video, click here: Command and Control

Looks like there is more information promoting the value of using the glycemic index to lose weight, read more here but then don't make it the only thing you look (I explain why in an excerpt from Lose Fat, Not Faith that you can read here.

As the bodybuilders have been saying all along, weight training is good for the heart, too.

I see that Dean Karnazes has been named Outdoor Athlete of the Year ... he may not be "the fittest man alive" but boy can he run and his book Ultramarathon Man has been a huge inspiration to me.

That's it for now,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 8:58 AM | 0 comments

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

In the Heat of the Night

Today's Run: 4.81m
Run Time: 55:39 (11:34 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 564.8

Thoughts on the Run:

It was late and I was tired, but I still hadn't run, either. A friend called and asked if I was up for it. It was raining but no lightning or thunder so I said, "YES!" I was very surprised at how hot and humid it was out on the run ... amazing. We had a great conversation and the run felt phenomenal. In fact, the only negative was a feeling of frustration over not having been more consistent the past month. I let it go, though, because I can't change the past and focused on getting a quality run. This was a loop around the neighborhood at a nice, steady pace in the heat with plenty of hills.

A few more weeks of this and I'll be back in the saddle again.

My daughter has been a lot more active lately. She has been bouncing on the trampoline, taking walks and horse riding lessons, and swimming in the pool. She's been growing taller but staying the same weight and is excited. I read this article which has some good information about getting kids active. And this article suggests that any amount of exercise is helpful, so some is better than none.

A prominent Harvard researcher recently died who was responsible for several studies that showed exercise increases longevity (get this: burning 2,000 calories a week can cut death rates from 1/4 to 1/3 lower than those who don't). He lived to be 84.

As much as people keep asking me what fat burner will do the magic deed for them, we keep hearing about miracle pills that are potentially dangerous. Stick to the old-fashioned way: eat healthy and exercise hard.

For those of you who wonder why I am so crazy as to aspire to running an ultramarathon, trust me, there are others even crazier. Check this midnight run lasting 50 kilometers. Of course where most say, "Crazy," I say, "Inspirational!" As much as I wish to go the distance, right now I'd much rather be a spectator than a participant on this grueling race through the desert.

My daughter posted her first recipe ... this one is easy and fast: Recipe: Fruit Salad.

In case you didn't notice, I'm focusing on integrating more breaking news and other information in the blog. I hope you enjoy the format and look forward to future posts.

Until next time,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 8:26 AM | 0 comments

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Paws on the Run

Today's Run: 3.49m
Run Time: 41:06
Total Miles to Date: 560.0

Thoughts on the Run:

Yesterday was hot but overcast. I thought with the cloudy skies and light drizzle that the run would be cooler, but I was mistaken. I decided to take along my friend Lizzie (our "older puppy"). She was well-behaved and turned out to be a great companion on the run.

We didn't go far. The heat was oppressive and in fact was just as stifling even without the sun shining. I brought along some water this time. I had lost 1 pound every 15 minutes on the prior run, so my prediction was to be 2 pounds lighter after this run (45 minutes = 3 pounds lost, I brought along 16 oz of fluid = 1 pound gained, for a net loss of 2 pounds). The estimations were close because I started the run at 216.5 and ended it at 215.

I probably could have gone farther but Lizzie doesn't like to drink on the run and I didn't want her dehydrated as well. I'll try bringing along a bowl and some extra fluids next time I take her out, but this time we wound back to the house.

It is very exciting to see the reception my wife's new column, Recipes for Healthy Living, is receiving. My daughter is excited to get her article out on the web as well. I feel this will be a dynamic and powerful new section.

That's it for now ... have some things to wrap up and then going to Jersey on business, will be back later in the week to post again.

Warmly,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 9:39 AM | 0 comments

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Feel the Heat

Today's Run: 4.97
Run Time: 1:02:27 (12:34 minutes per mile)
Total Miles to Date: 556.5

Thoughts on the Run:

Another run this week. I can't say it was easy.

Last night we had a great celebration. We are building a new office downtown, but the old office is close to the main downtown area and has a deck on the roof. This provides excellent viewing of the local fireworks displays. The weather was just cool enough to make it pleasant as we watched the explosions come from all points of the compasses (we had a vantage point to see the displays for several suburbs of Atlanta). After this, we had our own little display and returned home.

Today I had a shorter day in the office. Most of the developers were working from home or taking the day off. I took care of a few items and then returned home early for a date with my daughter. She wanted to spend some time at the pool and then go to the coffee shop. I negotiated and asked if I could jog in between.

We had a fun time swimming for about an hour. I returned home and threw on my jogging clothes and stepped out.

I've got a new philosophy with these runs. For some reason the strict schedule seemed to be driving me nuts. I had it all mapped out but, contrary to my own advice in I Can, I Can't, if I missed a workout I'd let it throw my entire week.

So, no mileage, no pace, nothing but stepping out and seeing how my body feels. It was tough just going 2 miles the other day as I have been doing "not much" for too long. Today, however, I stepped out and began jogging and felt like I could go a bit more. I ended up on a main strip near my house that usually provides me with a good "out-and-back" opportunity. Again, I was going by feel but decided I could do a loop.

I also did not bring fluids. I decided to experiment and find a baseline to see just how much fluid I really lose on a run. I've measured based on my drinks but haven't really run longer distances without taking in any during the run. As explained in The Long Haul, you can compute your fluid needs by simply weighing yourself before and after a run (we have a Fluid Intake Calculatr).

Before the run? Let's put it on the table. It was an embarrassing 218 pounds (100kg). I wish I could say it's muscle but that would be a lie. I've been maintaining for years at 210 so the month of inactivity had a toll. While some of this is more likely water weight, the rest I take responsibility for ... I have my work cut out for me!

So I was on the run. It was hot. I was sweating and I knew I was losing a lot of fluid because my fingers swelled up like sausages. This is also an indication that I'm missing electrolytes, we'll work on those later. I really feel like in my prior runs I was making it too complicated worrying about the right drinks, etc. So this time I am keeping it simple: baseline, first, then I'll address the fluid loss by bringing water, then after I see how that impacts me, I'll address the electrolytes. I managed this run by having water afterwards and a salt pill.

The run was rough. Again, I decided to do it "in flow." I did not look at my watch ONCE during the entire run. I chose a comfortable pace. When I got dizzy, I walked. When I recovered, I jogged. I wasn't pushing the pace but I also knew in my heart I'd go the distance and finish.

I found some ridiculous self-talk as I listened to my thoughts. I had a problem before with running too fast so I'd coach myself mentally to run slower. Unfortunately, the phrase was something like this: "Slow down, we're not trying to break any records." Think about that ... "It's not like we're trying to break a record" ... what a negative thought to bounce around for hours at a time! So, I consciously flipped the thought around ... "I'm breaking my personal records ... I'm having fun, doing this outside of the box, and staying consistent." Much better. No need to rush, but no need to limit myself, either.

The "I Can, I Can't" is perhaps an illustration of how thoughts can impact action. I may lose some of you on this and if I do and you haven't already listened to the Weight Loss Mindset series then I encourage you to do so now. Basically, there were two thoughts that governed my previous training season:

1. Pavement injures me
2. I must get all of my runs in or I'll fail

The first is a thought process. Doesn't pavement pound harder than trails? Sure. But research also suggests that this type of impact running can actually strengthen joints and build muscle. I wanted to run trails but I set myself up by repeating a thought in my mind. I believe this planted the seed for the excuse that manifested point #2.

Point #2 is more interesting because we know it's not true. Plenty of people have run races without preparation. I decided 7 weeks before my first half marathon that I was going to run it, and I did fine. I trained during a period in my life when my confidence was high and I was in flow, and I chose not to consider injury as an option ... and I trained injury free.

This time with a little more chaos in my life, I don't manage the negative thoughts as well and so when I'd run pavement instead of hills I'd use that excuse in the back of my mind. So, when I started missing workouts, this created the perfect excuse to create an injury. First, I fell short in the marathon ... that was heat exhaustion, I still ran 20 miles farther than some people ever will. But I let that plant itself in my mind and while I had the perfect opportunity to overcome it again with another marathon in May, I let that fear of failure manifest as an injury that kept me out.

So, this time, I'm approaching it all differently. I'm not being so hard on myself. I'm not stressing over fluids. Yes, I'll bring them but I don't have to be so religious about it. I'm not thinking, "Injury" when I know I can do this season injury free and break a lot of personal records.

So, I pushed myself through the heat and pain and finished almost 5 miles. I wasn't trying to reach a "round number" so it happened that when I stopped a few blocks from my home, I finally looked at my watch and it was 4.97. It wasn't a blazing pace but I finished it. When I weighed myself afterwards, I had lost 4 pounds - that's 1 pound every 15 minutes! Seems I have quite high hydration needs ... that's two bottles for an hour run. Next time I'll bring the water and try it without electrolytes first, then finally get back to my electrolyte drink mixes and see where that leaves me.

All in all it was a fun experience and I'm happy to be back in the game again. As you can see I'm like the cobbler with broken shoes ... but now I'm creating the time and eliminating the excuses to fix them.

Take care,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 7:43 PM | 0 comments

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Author Declares Independence from America's Biggest Bully

Happy 4th of July.

Just had a fun time at the pool with my daughter. I'm wishing everyone a full, abundant, fun day.

This is the two year anniversary of the release of Lose Fat, Not Faith in print. What an exciting two years it has been! Here was the original press release - I wrote it and submitted it to the wires the end of June, then moved my family 2,030 miles (3,270 kilometers) from Lead, South Dakota to St. Pete Beach, Florida. It seems this time of year is when our family goes through the majority of our changes (this time last year, for example, was when we moved back to Atlanta).

Author Declares Freedom from America's Biggest Bully, Obesity, on Independence Day

Lead, SD June 27, 2005 — Motivational speaker and health coach Jeremy Likness takes a stand on July 4th, 2005; Releases internationally-selling eBook in paperback format to help readers "Lose Fat, Not Faith."

Personal trainer Jeremy Likness offers a new twist to the fat-loss trend by asking readers to stop worrying about burning calories and focus instead on releasing the thoughts and patterns that created the extra weight in the first place. His internationally-selling eBook, Lose Fat, Not Faith will be published in paperback by Golden Summit Inc. on July 4th.

"I lost 65 pounds of fat without swallowing a magic pill or following a secret diet plan. Lose Fat, Not Faith is about working a muscle many people neglect – the one between the ears," announced the author.

Dennis B. Weis, the author of three critically acclaimed best-selling bodybuilding books, declares that "Jeremy Likness is the Anthony Robbins of the bodybuilding world." Jeremy's approach to health from the inside is revealed in the 300-page transformation guide. One reviewer called the book a "story from the coal-face" because intertwined in the program is "the story of the author’s personal journey from heartache to wholeness."

Jeremy is no stranger to fat loss himself. In 1999, he weighed a whopping 245 pounds and was popping buttons on his 44" slacks. After failing to lose or keep the weight off after trying dozens of diet plans and quick-fix supplements, Jeremy realized that he was lacking the key ingredient for success: faith. By focusing on his beliefs and mindset, he was able to shed the excess pounds. The transformation was so remarkable that he left the Information Technology industry to pursue health and wellness as a full-time career. Jeremy is now a Certified Fitness Trainer and Specialist in Performance Nutrition through the International Sports Sciences Association.

"It's time for the world to wake up. According to the Centers for Disease Control, second only to tobacco use, poor diet and lack of exercise contributed to the largest number of deaths in the year 2000. This is a very real problem. The majority of people living in the United States are either overweight or obese. It's time to stop being slaves to fast food, junk food, and our television sets and stand firm in our freedom to live healthy, energetic lives."

Can just one book win the battle of the bulge?

"My mission is to transform the world, one success story at a time. If I can just change one life with the power of the information contained within this book, I will be one step closer to victory."

Jeremy Likness is a prolific writer who has been published in major online health and fitness publications including ProTrainerOnline.com, Bodybuilding.com, and Tom Venuto's FitRen.com. The paperback edition of Lose Fat, Not Faith will be published by Golden Summit Inc. on July 4th and will begin shipping on July 5th. A short biography of the author, a list of testimonials from the eBook release, and a complete list of published articles is available upon request.

Lose Fat, Not Faith can be ordered online at www.losefatnotfaith.com, ... The price is ~~$24.99 plus $4 shipping and handling within the US~~ $19.99 including shipping and handling anywhere within the world (will be sent media rate).

Book Statistics

Title:	Lose Fat, Not Faith
Subtitle:	A Transformation Guide
Author:	Jeremy Likness
ISBN:	0-9769079-2-5
Category:	Health and Fitness
Length:	300 pages
Retail price:	$24.99 US
Binding:	5.5" x 8.5" trade paperback
Illustrations:	none
Additions:	tables

Wow! Talk about a blast from the past. How has the mission been so far? Since releasing the book, we have sold the eBook in over a dozen countries and the paperback in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. (along with perhaps some other countries that haven't reported). Forget units sold, our celebration is over the impact it has had as evidenced by the various testimonials that have consistently given 5 out of 5 stars for the inspiration it provides. What started as a dream ... an idea ... was able to become manifest reality. That's what is most exciting about having faith in yourself!

Thank you all! It is our freedom and the principles behind the founding of this country that have empowered my family to build the business and create the changes we have made in our own lives and the lives of others.

Blessed be,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 12:40 PM | 0 comments

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Running Ahead

Today's Run: 2.08
Run Time: 21:50 (10:29 minute mile)
Total Miles to Date: 551.5

Thoughts on the Run:

Wow.

It's been awhile since I've been able to post with the standard header of "today's run."

I was actually going through some websites earlier today, and ended up on RunningAhead.com, where I track all of my runs.

It was dismal.

After months of running consistently, there was over a month of nothing. Zilch. Nada.

My injury is healed, I've been fine, but I've just ... what? There's really no excuse. Why explain?

I looked at a graph of runs, and felt an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach when I saw the large spikes of my long runs.

WOW. I used to run 20 miles.

Used to.

I decided right there that I wouldn't dwell on it any longer. I could continue to make excuses or reflect upon it or a million other things, or I could take action.

So I did.

No pacing, no watching the watch (though I did take it along to track my time), just getting out there and doing it.

It was painful. I won't lie. I had a few drinks earlier in the day and probably ate a little too much food but I insisted on staying the course. This would help me gain perspective ... and it did. I realized just what I've been doing. The run was like magic because it felt so good. This is where I am meant to be. My foot moving of their own accord, the breeze in my face, the sounds and scents outside.

It was 93 degrees but it didn't feel like it. When I got hot, the breeze blew. When that turned hot, it rained. When lightning struck, I turned to head home and then the rain fell and cooled me.

It wasn't much. Just two miles. But it was enough. It was a start. It got my name back on the board. It's just a few miles closer to an ultramarathon dream.

I let it slip and turn into a goal ... some idea "out there" that I would reach "some day." Today I turned it back into what a dream should be: a real goal with a deadline.

So it begins.

Another exciting beginning was when my wife and daughter approached me about becoming more involved in the business. My daughter has a baking business she started to raise funds to pay for her horse riding lessons. This wasn't our project for her ... she approached us and asked how she could earn the income. She cooked, shopped, and did 99% of the work herself.

She decided she wanted to share with other kids just what is possible, and how fun it is to live and eat healthy. My wife has terrific recipes but more importantly, tips and advice for the family. Golden Summit has always been a family business but now my family is becoming more involved than ever. Look for their contribution in the coming weeks as they write in a new category I created, "Food for thought." We're even discussing some short videos to show just how easy it really is to cook and eat healthy. I'm excited!

Have a wonderful Sunday,

posted by Jeremy Likness | 7:52 PM | 1 comments

All content on this website (including text, photographs, audio files, and any other original works), unless otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.5 License. Re-use is permitted if properly attributed to the author and blog URL (must be an active and direct link to the blog — no redirect URLs permitted), and content is unmodified from it's original form. Derivative works require permission from author.
Copyright © 2006 — 2008 Jeremy Likness.

Stumble Me

I "stumble" all of the pages that I use for this blog. Click the icon below to visit my stumble page!

The Road to Ultra

Jeremy Likness' journey to an ultramarathon.

Recent Posts