Well, the Holidays is something to look forward to. Friends and family get together are plenty. There’s plenty of food, food and food.

I love to eat. Not really worried about gaining a few pounds this time of the year.

As a runner. All I have to do is increase my mileage and do a little extra workout…

It always works for me.

Plus, I get to work my wood fired oven. You see, I built a brick oven years back and it still provides us good food specially this time. Guests actually expects pizza and other favorites to get cooked in this oven. Roast turkey and BBQ ribs has made it in this oven.

I remember filling the oven with 24 loaf pan and baking banana bread in one firing. This was a perfect specialty Christmas gift for that year. It was a hit. Everybody wants one.

Now you know why is this runner all fired-up!

I’d like to share the short video above. We did pizza and focaccia. The very next day we have Korean BBQ and corn in the wood-fired oven done.

Next year when someone ask “why is this runner all fired up?”, you know it’s the food, food and food.

What does these all mean or have to do with running?

It’s all about MOTIVATION. If you love what you do;

• A lot of good things can happen. You do and achieve more
• Time goes fast when your having fun
• You enjoy every moment or activity and things are (more often than not) done right
• Challenges are overcome, solutions seems to be readily available
• You feel good about what you do, and the results are in your favor
• and a lot more…

There you go. Love what you do.

If it is running, keep on lacing up and find your motivation and keep doing it. Associate with like minded people. These can be your friends, family members or in these day and age you can go online and join running social clubs…

I hang around positive and highly motivated runners at Dailymile.

Cooking or baking may not be your cup of tea but for me at least this time of the year… why is this runner all fired-up? Its the FOOD…

The best of the New Year to all.

However, if anyone were to realize what a rooster does daily, there maybe something that will surprise many runners, myself included.

I was coming home one morning and there it was, a rooster right in my front gate. He’s just standing and not even intimidated by my presence at all. Usually, chicken will run or move away in a hurry…this little thing  does not budge!

I have seen this bird from one of my running routes in the neighborhood. I’ve heard him crow many times and jump from where he and the hen stays at night ( I would assume) and start the day, as I pass by.

So what can runners learn from roosters?

I’d like to say - consistency. This bird starts the day early and for some reason it crows almost at the same time early in the morning. It seems like it has a built in alarm that sounds of when it’s due, rain or shine! This is a routine for roosters. It’ll crow and make the sound. It’s like doing an exercise of the lungs. Plus, if you’ve seen them do it you’ll notice they do flap there wings a few times (looks like a warm-up)…

Now, if you’re a runner and trying to reach a certain goal or finish time for a 5k, a 10k or even a marathon, training daily and consistently – will prove to be a great asset. And yes, even when the running conditions are not that great outside. Consistency and perseverance are important.

So the question, “What can runners learn from roosters?” can be answered with consistency. Lets put it in it’s simplest perspective like;

• taking your vitamins daily
• warm up and cool down before any run or exercise activity
• eat or drink recovery nutrition
• be safe while out and about
• and more…

There’s always something to discover during a runners daily run. The views, the sounds, the smell and things on the way provide opportunities for motivation to keep (me) going.

Plus, I just love seeing nature and farm animals around specially at break of dawn or early morning, in the big city.

Who would have thought this runner actually learned something from a lose rooster from the neighborhood?

What can runners learn from roosters…besides consistency?

Maybe it’s time to have a harder look at this bird (or others) next time you lace up and put on some miles.

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Some goes for a bagel with some fruits and an orange juice. A smoothie or protein shake is more than enough to others.

Let us hear what your favorite, specially after an early morning run.

I don’t really have a favorite, but a protein shake with an immunity twist tube and a slice of bread is all I need. I can go to work and not worry about getting hungry before lunch because this runners breakfast works for me.

Watch this video, if you haven’t done so. See for yourself if it does the trick to get your appetite in control to get you started for the day.

Runners Breakfast In 6 Minutes

Yes, I was out this morning and did a hill run for a little over one hour. It was a new route for me and my running buddy. I was so tired going back home and decided to treat myself a little bit. I haven’t been running like I’m supposed too lately.

This time,  I wasn’t going to settle for just my protein shake and fruits. I’ve got to try this runners breakfast (omelette) that was so easy to do. If I can, you can do it, too.

Who knows, this may become a regular for you. Specially if you wanted your recovery time fast!

OK here’s the recipe of a simple runners breakfast that you can do in 6 minutes:

1 cup Chlorella soup. Click here to check where I get mine
1 medium size sweet onion thinly sliced
1/4 cup sliced Portuguese sausage
2 medium eggs
salt and pepper to taste (optional)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
hot sauce (optional)

Don’t forget the banana and your daily vitamins. I take glocusamine and fish oil.

There you go, a simple runners breakfast…

Now it’s your turn, do you have one that is healthy, quick and easy to do?

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My usual Saturday morning routine starts with a long run. Breakfast is next. Computer stuff follows. Lunch and followed by a short nap. The afternoons or evenings are mixed bag.

Today, the morning run was special. I woke up early and headed towards the park and was planning to do an hour 30 minute run on familiar grounds. It was still dark and a bit chilly outside.

Then came 3.5miles where I saw this entrance to a trail. I went to check it out but not interesting to say the least. However, at the 5 mile marker there was this sign to another trail. To my surprise it goes into the woods and it was a thing of beauty.

The sun was barely making its way into the tree covered trail and there was this calming sound of water -a running water. It was a creek…b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I took some pictures and shot a short video and got it re-mix for you.

Check it out…

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This time I did a short run in the Calabasas area located in the western part of the Los Angeles county. It’s beautiful in Calabasas.

I used to work in Westlake Village and I can see the area from the freeway but never did any running here, until today.

Now, I know that there is a trail at the end of Calabasas road. I’ve got to run this one sometime – looks interesting to me.

Here’s the video – Trail Mix(ed) at Calabasas on PhotoPeach

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What running adventures do you have lately? Something interesting that happened on the way, during or after the run that made your daily miles a little bit more interesting than most days. Any thought that popped-out, a sight that made you smile, something that made the run special?

I know at certain point while running, those endorphins start kicking-in and a lot of good things happen, almost magical at times.

This morning what I have was more of a surprise sightings of bunny rabbits along the dirt road. I usually run without my cellphone. Today, I decided to bring my cp with me since this is my first try on this particular trail or dirt road.

Plus, it’s too early in the morning and there’s only 3 vehicles in the parking lot when I arrived at the park.

‘Gotta Think Safety…and pictures?

Well, thirty minutes into the run I had bunny rabbit encounters. They’re all over the sideways. It was a beautiful sight and for sure it made my run special.

‘Got the pix on a video for everybody to see. Watch it and share it with friends.

Can You Handle A Bunny On A Dirt Run? on PhotoPeach

What do you think? Do you have anything to share? It doesn’t have to be bunny rabbits…

One time the sight of a warning sign that says, “Beware of Mountain Lions” was enough for me to alter my run. I had to be very careful and always keeping an eye on the surrounding area and my strides were faster. It turned out to be a good speed workout!

However, I’d prefer to see my little friend bunny rabbits on a run anytime!

I told him, “this is when runners get to a certain zone and they feel like in cruise control while running.  At this time, the  strides, the breathing  and the mind get into a rhythm and a person gets kind of ‘high’. You have got to experience it…”

Yep, he tells me, I’m full of c$@&*!

Seriously, this usually happens about the 45th minute or  between my 4th and 5 mile on a long run…however that’s just me. I know most runners experience it a lot sooner or later.

If you were to run a marathon you’ve got to get in to this zone during the training and definitely during a marathon run for great results.

How do you get there? I’d say control the controllable.

Here’s how:

1. Plan your work outs and stick to it. Be consistent and persistent.

2. Injuries are common, so please listen to your body and consult a medical professional. Know what you can and can NOT do and follow.

3. Keep focus on your running goals and be flexible when you have to. Easy on yourself specially on your ‘down’ days.

4. Take care of your body and feed it right. Don’t forget, rest is always part of the equation.

5. Invest on the right running gears. There’s plenty to choose from. Do it right.

6. While out and about running be safe always. Take notice of your route.

I know you can add more to the list, but these things you can control.

Happy running everyone and enjoy it while…on ‘HIGH‘

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I’ve been wanting to meet Manny and even hoping I can join him in one of his running workouts here in Los Angeles. I came so close but no luck.

You see, I have a friend at work call me on a Saturday morning while Manny was in PAN Park. He’s got a picture with him from last years visit. So we’ve had this conversation before for him to let me know when he sees Manny once again.

However, I can not make it to the location due to a Saturday emergency obligation. It was a real bummer…oh well, maybe next time around. Yes, there will be a run with the PacMan and some photo-ops if and when there’s another fight.

It’ll be a cool thing to run, even for a few rounds in the park, with the Champion!

How’s this for motivation, if you have a choice to run with your favorite athlete, who would it be and why?

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Prior to running my short 3miler to cap the week I checked out a street car show nearby. Tons of people showed up for these prized collections and the music plus the food made the event a sure hit!

I was amazed at how these old cars were kept in top shape. Clean, shinny and I bet you they still have the power despite those mileage accumulated over the years. The owners must have really taken good care of these machines inside and out.

Does it take effort and proper care? I’m sure it does. Expensive? Just imagine how much these cars cost now, and what about maintenance…

One thing for sure, they do a great job and the results are priceless.

That reminds me of running. To have longevity enjoying this sport, one must take care of him/herself consistently over a long period of time. Proper nutrition, supplementation, the right gear, enough rest, practice, and more are consciously integrated to be at optimum performance be it on practice runs or during race days.

On my bucket list you’ll find old classics -CARS. I wanted to own and build one of these baby from scratch…

For now, let me share with you a video from today’s event as I went out and checked what’s available when they do…Poppin’ The Hood on PhotoPeach

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That was funny. I know they mean to say FRIES instead of FIRES…

Anyhow, this sandwich place is actually on my running route about a mile from my house and never saw the banner ad before.

Do you ever have any thing unusual or interesting you noticed while on your daily run?

I can only speak for myself but sometimes when I’m on a zone I don’t notice a lot of things around me while running – except about my safety. Most often than not, I am running facing the traffic on the street not the sidewalk and on the asphalt instead of the concrete pavement specially when doing my long runs.

Now, cheese burgers and soda is rare on my diet. Instead I do sandwiches and protein shakes with sports twist tube after a run and absolutely no fires fries. What about you?