The Raven

In some Native American cultures, young men and women go on vision quests as a part of their rite of passage into adulthood. It is a turning point, or perhaps an enlightening. Those that embark on a vision quest go with the hopes on finding their 'true self' and their intended spiritual and life direction. Traditionally, a vision quest entails a journey alone in the woods and fasting for a number of days. Usually, after several days, a Guardian animal is said to come in a vision or dream, and the child's life direction will be made clear. The child may then return home and pursue his/her new direction.

Well, I'm not quite ready to head off in the woods for several days with no supplies, but I sure as heck see a lot of similarities between the reasons for these vision quests and the reasons why I race in endurance races. (See earlier blog post!) On some level, I think we are looking for something in these Ironmans and Ultramarathons. Some new definition of who we are, or even a new perspective on life maybe. Now, I know I'm not the first one to make this odd connection, there is even a big coaching group named Vision Quest, I just think it is neat to think of training and racing in different ways and wanted to share.

I did however find it super interesting that one of the key features of a vision quest was the visit by a guardian animal. It certainly made me decide that I want to have a guardian on some of my ventures, too! 

So, I did some more research.

Now, according to most Native American culture, you don't get to choose your guardian animal... it chooses you. I will be keeping an eye out for mine (hmm, that bobcat on my trail run was odd). However, I did learn from some of my good friends (Chris and Abby Tuma) that we all have animal totems according to Native American astrology... Similar to the whole zodiac breakdown (ie. Scorpio, Leo, etc). 

My totem is the Raven! 'The raven is intelligent, cleaver and mystical. Raven people are peace loving, idealistic and charming. They long for harmony in the community and must stay away from uncertainty and inconsistency' (Animal Totems). And apparently I play best with Otters and Deer. :-)

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting 
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; 
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, 
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; 
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor 
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Anyway, thats it for today... I'm gonna go play in the woods without any food to get ready for Ironman!

What's your sign? 

Living Downstream: A view into pollution, cancer, and our environment

I know most of my posts are about fitness and athletics, but this one is not. At least not directly...

As our title suggests, Gaia Fitness is all about healthy people for a healthy earth... and this blog post hits that nail right on the head. Living Downstream is a very well-written book by Sandra Steingraber about the status of the world in which we live and it's affects on our lives. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend picking it up. It will likely give you a whole new perspective on the health of our world and us.

Here is a little descriptive plug:

Sandra Steingraber is the first to trace with such compelling precision the entire web of connections between our bodies and the ecological world in which we eat, drink, breathe, and work. Her book strikes a hopeful note throughout, for, while we can do little to alter our genetic inheritance, we can do a great deal to eliminate the environmental contributions to cancer, and she shows us where to begin.

I just found out today that there is now a documentary based on the book. I can't wait to see it. Here's the trailer:

Dave Scott on Race Day Nutrition

Love the ride!

So, here we are, triathlon season is fast approaching and we're all anxious to see the good weather and get in consistent workouts. Myself, I'm training for Ironman Wisconsin as my 'A' race this year... again. This will be my 5th time racing at IM Moo! I do love that race.

Anyway, being the nerdy scientist that I am, I have been looking over all my past training schedules for IM WI... critiquing, reminiscing, etc. All so that I can dial in the perfect race season this year.

As I'm pouring over all of my old data, I came across a poem that I put together in 2007 (I think) that I had forgotten about. It really struck home for me again, and came just at the right time. I hope you like it! 

The Other Guy

I spot another lone biker on the road behind me,

He’s seems to be gaining, but no worry.

Slowly, slowly he creeps up to me.

Young kid, never seen him before.

No words spoken,

My mind instantly assessing.

Noting cheap component groups and discount riding gear,

Calculating weights, and critiquing his position.

Ha, this kids in for a hurtin’,

Confident in my $7k steed and swollen legs.

Our cranks turn in quiet unison,

The tires whirr on the rough Illinois pavement.

Numbers churn through my head,

Watts, cadence, drag, speed, heart rate.

He seems happy and careless,

Content and smiling.

His wheel pulls ahead,

This kid’s gonna half-wheel me.

I’m good at that game,

So, I up the ante a watt or two.

Time to wipe that smile away,

I dial in to my lactate threshold.

I know this pace well,

The friendly, familiar pain sets in.

I hear a down shift,

There’s that bloody wheel again.

And he’s drinking from his water bottle,

I swear he’s listening to the birds and looking at the trees.

I swig from my custom blended nutrition drink mix,

Time to end this charade.

Strategically prepping my attack,

Five, four, three, two…

He’s out of his saddle,

This kid’s good.

BOOM, my legs react instinctively,

I jump to a full sprint.

We both see the railroad tracks ahead,

The perfect finish line.

200 meters,

100 meters.

I can’t drop him,

It’s gonna be close.

75 meters,

50 meters.

There’s those pesky black spots,

Brain’s running low on O2.

Legs about to give out,

But I see the pain in his eyes, too.

We rocket over the tracks,

Neck and neck.

Not even a camera could rule this one,

The kid must have the heart of a bull.

We stop,

Both gasping for breath.

I impulsively check my computer,

He smiles and picks up some trash from the road…

As he rides away, I feel a change,

Recalling that love for the ride and that passion for life.

Wait a second, I recognize that old Cannondale,

I remember that smile.

Now, before you ask, yes, the kid was me also. ;-)

And before the triathlon powers-that-be strike me down for heresy, let me elaborate on one thing. Technology and focused training are great tools to get stronger, faster, and stay healthy. I certainly am not advocating throwing away all yor top-dollar goodies and training solely by feel and emotion. All that I'm saying is don't forget why you're doing what you're doing! Love the ride, and you'll be amazed at what you can do!

Functional Art?

Functional Art, what the heck is that?

I found one definition that says it is the blending of form and function with sculpture and fine art. Well, I made up my own version: Functional art is cool looking stuff that you can actually use.

What brings me to functional art? Well, I have come to realize that I am surrounded by it everyday at work. I work in a gallery in downtown Chattanooga that displays both custom titanium bikes (Ruby Cycleworks) and custom concrete countertops (Set in Stone). I know, strange combonation, right? That is unless you look at it from the perspective of functional art... both are clearly 'cool looking stuff that you can actually use.'


For instance, we know bikes are functional. They are transportation, workout equipment, and entertainment all at the same time. But do they qualify as fine art? You tell me...

The raw titanium contrasted by the red/white decals, great geometric shapes and angles... seems like the qualities of sculpture and art to me.

And countertops? Again the functionality is a given, but art... maybe not granite or laminate... but take a gander at the possibilities with concrete! This is a double vanity that I think certainly fits in the fine art category.

Anyway, perhaps I'm trying to make an association to make myself feel better about our strange collaboration in this space... but I think it works!

And in this era, I think we are seeing more and more focus on function... and less on art and beauty. But, via functional art, perhaps we can have both!