Scott Sonnon: Born to Fail - Made to Succeed

60 Mile Marathon with Intu-Flow and RMAX Running

One of my New York Students, Stanford Lee, performed an inspirational 60 mile run. Learn how he accomplished this feat in the following insightful discovery:

New York Nike Human Race…Baby Steps Revisited…

“Sunday August 31 2008, I have completed the Nike Human Race in New York City, a 10k race conducted around the world.  Having been inspired by Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes, I decided to jog/walk to the race from home which is a distance of approximately 19 miles before running the 10k (6 mile), finishing with a trek back to 57st and 6th avenue to take the train home. 

It was a fun event though it did start a bit late and the HUGE New York Crowd with their war-like RED Nike tees were getting a little cranky.  But once started, it was a fun run (except for one portion of the race where hundreds of runners funneled up at a small footbridge that normally accomodates no more than 30-50 people bringing the crowd to a standing halt.   There was dust flying everywhere on the gravel portions of the route, so much that I felt like I was part of a buffalo stampede!  The amount of runners just overwhelmed me and it felt more like a “marathon event” as oppose to a small 10k event.  But leave it to Nike to promote such a large event.

I know they made a boat load of money but at the same time millions were raised for charities which I think is a great thing.  It was an experience I will never forget.  That was the second official run of this year for me.  The Men’s Urbanathon at the end of this month is the last running event I’ll be participating this year which I’m really excited about.

On the way home, I contemplated on how much the “Baby Steps” paid off in my running activities. Back in February of this year, I remember being concerned with finishing the Chase Corporate Challenge, a 3.5mile race.  Even after that run, I was worried about building up the mileage for the New York City Urbanathon, a 10mile race coming this September.  But I ran, step by step, building my mileage slowly until I worked up to a 10 long run.

Last month, I decided to do my usual 10 mile long run and ended up running 28 miles from my home in Brooklyn to Central Park, a total of 16 miles and then completed an additional 2 full loops in the park (another 12miles).  I was blown away after plugging my route into “Mapmyrun.com” and seeing the total mileage.  That was a real milestone that provided the confidence to do another long run last week where I decided to go to Central Park and run as many 6 mile loops as I can.

I completed 10 rounds in 7.5 hrs. for a total of 60 miles!!! I was Stoked!

Both long runs were completed without any injuries and with minor muscle soreness that went away within 2 days.  I attribute this fantastic recovery to some minor changes in diet, Scott Sonnon’s Intu-Flow® mobility program which I perform daily, and my Kettlebell training which reinforced my tendon and ligament strength along with fortifying a “Present” mindset in all my athletic endeavors.  Again “Baby Steps” really do pay off at the end.

After my first long run of 28 miles, I ordered RMAX Powered Running Scott Sonnon and Joe Wilson which instructs specific mobility exercises along with cool down exercises and a detail explanation of breathing, structure and movement as it applies to runners.  A lot of little gems in this DVD course for runners of all levels.

Find out about Scott Sonnon’s Intu-Flow™ mobility program (and RMAX Powered Running also by Coach Sonnon along with CST Head Coach Joe Wilson) by clicking on the image to the right.

As for my diet, I have read and implemented some key points from the “Thrive Diet”, by Triathlete Brendan Brazier.  Whether you plan on being a Vegan, or just want to implement some really key points to recovery meals, read this book as it provides a lot of good recipes (I’ll write about this in another entry).

Although not able to lift Kettlebells for the past 3 weeks (due to “Paper cuts” on my hands that opened up into large gashes, yup, the dangers of a White Collar Worker, now stop laughing!), I know my Kettlebell training, specifically the WKC Kettlebell Fitness Protocol program (presented by Valery Fedorenko and Scott Sonnon) has provided a great cross training effect on my body.

Like Dean Karnazes states in his books and interviews, cross training in multiple sports will help build a stonger body not easily prone to injury.  I hope that the “Runners” who are reading this will integrate Kettlebell training into their programs.  Today I will test the waters with my Kettlebell training to see if my cuts have healed completely (wish me luck).

The New York NIKE Human Race was a great experience and I’ll end this entry with some great links to resources I’ve talked about here.  I hope it will open some doors of opportunity in your athletic endeavors.”

Stanford, Revel in Your Awesomeness!

Flow Thyself™,