"Time means a lot to me because you see I am also a learner and am often lost in the joy of forever developing". - Bruce Lee
I know. I hear the four of you reading this say it, "Bruce Lee? Really Guy?" Well, yes. One of the things that people seem to think about athletes is that we stop searching for knowledge or improving ourselves outside the arena of sports. Nothing could be further from the truth. The athletes I know, particularly my coaches, and closest friends, are always searching, studying, yearning actually, to discover more about themselves. That constant search, the belief that we can constantly improve, even as we age, is what keeps us young, vibrant and always excited to do more. As this season has progressed, I've had my ups and downs, recently enjoying a brief winning streak that was stopped by a rather unexpected DNF at a long course Du where I had an 8 minute lead. Instead of being upset about the ridiculous blow up I had at the half way point of the second run, I took the good and the bad and then applied it this week, and weekend in my training.
What does that mean? I repeated the race, in as close as possible similar course as I could find, changing nutrition and pacing, and this time, completing the 4 mile run/56 mile bike/13.1 mile run without issue. How? Because I recognize the need to be my own guniea pig and how important that is to truly understand how your own body works.
The biggest factor, and I believe this for any level of athlete, starts with nutrition. You can have amazing talent, unbreakable spirit, a heart the size of Texas, but if you don't take care of yourself, sooner or later, the body will break down. At 38 that's the one thing I can assure you - if you eat like an idiot, don't be shocked to have health issues, and huge problems trying to keep up with training and racing. But more importantly, as I watch 2 of my uncles fight colon cancer, maintaining a proper diet is key for EVERYONE. I can't stress that enough. They are where they are because of the diet they sustained for the last 30 years. And they aren't alone.
Recognizing the health issues in my own family were just a microcosm of what is happening in the US, I dug deeper. Thanks to the good Dr. Leighton, I was introduced to the Framingham Study. In short, for the last 30 plus years researchers have spent time in the town of Framingham, MA, finding a correlation between the town's diet and the rise in diseases, like heart, Type 2 diabetes, ADD, ADHD, and cancer. The results are shocking. However, the results do show one major common denominator - high carb diets are wrecking people's health.
I know the term "Paleo Diet" has gotten thrown around recently, people believing its some dietary craze. Its not. Its a lifestyle, not a diet, and as such its effects are more lasting and beneficial to health and longevity. Proper nutrition isn't just for athletes - its meant for everyone. Check out the writings of Mark Sisson - "The Primal Blueprint" for starters. Even if you don't agree - expand your mind, see what is out there that can benefit you and the ones you love. Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Its the best way to stay young.
Stay strong,
Guy
