Kings of the Trail #186
Go Further & Explore More...
"The most effective way to do it is to do it."
Amelia Earhart
I love this quote for its simplicity and its power. There is no real argument to what is being said…it is just a case of doing the thing that needs to be done. It also reminded me of the following lines that have the same energy and direction…
“Preparing to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Scheduling time to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Making a to-do list for the thing isn't doing the thing.
Telling people you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn't doing the thing.
Writing a banger tweet about how you're going to do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on other people who have done the thing isn't doing the thing. Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn't doing the thing.
Fantasising about all of the adoration you'll receive once you do the thing isn't doing the thing.
Reading about how to do the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading about how other people did the thing isn't doing the thing. Reading this essay isn't doing the thing.
The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.”
- Strangest Loop
Until next week, be safe and enjoy the trails...
The history of trail running could be traced back as far as humans have existed in the pursuit of food, but are there more specific examples of how the sport originated…
For Rachel Entrekin, intervals and pure speedwork were substituted with high mileage and lots of hill work. It seemed to be a pretty effective strategy for the second placed female runner at UTMB…
Studies are increasingly showing that traditional carb intake is too conservative, with the top runners and riders taking on higher doses of carbs (90-150g p/h in some cases, but only after training your gut). This article is a good starting point for what to eat and drink on long trail runs…
I have extolled the virtues of being in nature many times in this newsletter, but according to this study it might actually make your run seem easier…
📸 Limerick, Ireland
This track is from 2012 and was the first release that Ben Folds Five had put out in over a decade. It’s a lively, jaunty number with some good get and go energy. Hammering piano, strong bass line hooks and positive lyrics - Do It Anyway- fits this week. The video is also a classic, with the Fraggles, Ana Kendrick and Rob Corddry all making an appearance…
Each week, I update the Kings of the Trail playlist with a new selection of music. Like trail runs or hikes, the playlist will be varied and eclectic, but hopefully, there will be something for everyone to enjoy…
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