Call Of Duty Urban Fitness

Sole To Soul

It's great to know that even the ordinary man in the street acknowledges running as a spiritual pathway.

Out for a leisurely trot this afternoon around Ballsbridge, a tormented auld fella shouts at me "Yuz will burn in hell anyway, even wit all dat trainin."

I couldn't help smiling! So with a big happy head on me I guess I am going to have to take my chances. Sole To Soul.

Half Marathon Debut - Tribal Rhythms

Getting into the hearts and minds of ‘the runner’ is best achieved by actually doing it for yourself.

Having just completed the Dublin half marathon, I feel proud that I can officially call myself a runner. After years of reading, writing, studying and chatting with the experts I have put it all into pure and simple one foot in front of the other 13.1 miles. “The mind will give in before the body does, so don’t let that happen. You can control that,” was the last nugget of wisdom I gleaned before being corralled into my ambitious 2-2.15 hour wave start. With my head still in alpha state from the previous nights drumming circle, I cruised the first ten miles of collective, energizing footfalls, like hands beating time with pure rhythmic harmony. Meeting old and new faces around the course, made me feel part of the tribe once again. Ten minute miles over ten miles up to that point was beyond my greatest expectation. I would love to say I stormed home over the last three miles but alas the body started to give in, not the head. I never gave up, even though I had to slow it down until I had the finishing line in sight. Sprinting across that last 300metres and just breaking the 2.15 was a massive achievement. So with a few extra miles now in the legs I have raised my expectations of myself and reinforced the importance of attitude over an endurance event, especially day to day living. Slow and steady, keep focused and allow yourself to tap into the wealth of uplifting energy that surrounds you in abundance.

“Who looks outside dreams. Who looks inside awakens” Jung

Awaken The Energy Within

FIT Magazine

Make sure you pick up your weekly copy of the Irish Independent FIT Magazine. Every Thursday.

Bootcamp For Buddhas

5 Weeks of Summer Fitness

For Further details:

Patricia 086 6482651
nutrishon@gmail.com

Shamanic Journey via GPS

€40 is a lot of money these days. Spending it wisely is becoming an art form particularly when it comes to entertainment and non essential items. A day and night of music, art, culture and spirituality seemed a bargain buy to kick off the summer festival season.


The hill of Uisneach sits at 53 29’25”N, 7 33’45”W at an elevation of 182m/597ft and was once considered the naval of Ireland. A place for gatherings and rituals by our distant ancestors. The perfect location to assemble a mega mix of modern celtic hippies for a full moon party.


In true media savvy, the event organizers used every portal available to reach out to the masses. Radio, print, webpages, Facebook, Youtube. A constant stream of live updates accessible in real time across remote global locations, unlike our ancestors who relied on the first sign of fire on the hill to get their party started.


With a vague notion of where the site is, I set out solo from Dublin to rendez vous with my festival companion at the hill. A split second dilemma where the M4 and M6 divide made me realize at 120km per hour that I really hadn’t done my research. I had no idea where I was going. Inadequately equipped with no map and no internet access on my smartphone, I rang my buddy on route to hear she too was none the wiser. Aimless wanderers in search of a party in a field, relying on instincts that have been blunted by urban dwelling and an over reliance on skimformation. Ignoring the specifics of accurate directions which were so readily provided by our event host.


Some miles later I breathe a sigh of relief having emerged from a network deadzone. Now I can employ my go to plan: imap app. The ‘you are here’ blue dot pulses into life through the otterbox window, armour for my precious iphone. Mentor, oracle, navigator and custodian of details of my entire social network.


Only fifteen minutes or so away now and enjoying the bustle of Mullingar main street as I pass through. I pride myself on arriving ahead of my companion and ring her with details of land marks and signage to look out for. The colourful daytime scene of Uisneach is a delight to behold. Giant tepees and fluttering flags create a mystical backdrop to the painted faces and flowing costumes of the Uisneach warriors as they gallop across the hill on their trusty steeds.


A quick recce of the village layout and we are drawn to the tepee hosting ‘Shamanic Journeys’. Next trip departs at 18:00hrs, returning just in time to savour the rest of the festival delights. Magic. I settle myself into said tepee, shoes off and bonding with my fellow travellers. Ready to give to the communal vibe we make small talk: ‘Do you come here often? Any other good value festivals going on over the summer? Yeah, google it. How did you get here, did you get lost on the way?’

Pause, reflection. ‘Actually I just plugged the details into imaps and here I am!’ I admit to a ripple of laughter erupting through the virtual voyage tent with Glen as our guide. 30 minutes later I emerge inspired and enlightened. Somewhere on my journey I did meet my power animal, even if only briefly. Surely to be persued at a future place in time.


Within hours I manage to encapsulate the audio visual delighht of my experience. Patsylu and Nutrishon by accident hit in excess of 1,400 youtube views in less than 48 hours across all corners of the globe. Perhaps not viral but at least part of the microcosmic germ that is all essential in creating critical mass. Peace Love and Rock & Roll x x x






Festival Of Fires 2012, Hill of Uisneach, Bealtaine

Festival Of Fires 2012

Walk In My Shoes

Yesterday’s inaugural mile for 'Walk In My Shoes' turned into a DTC choral flash mob much to the delight of the un-expecting shoppers. The unpredictable weather meant that the procession lead by Nora Casey and Mary Lowe of Corus stayed indoors and wound it’s way from the main fountain up the escalators to the top floor. The glass dome of the Dundrum Town Centre provided an ideal acoustic accompaniment to a hearty version of Lady Gaga’s ‘I’m On The Edge’ with Gavin Duffy clearly enjoying the occasion for such a good cause. St Patrick’s Hospital CEO Paul Gilligan, delighted by the countrywide event which raised valuable funds for youth mental health,joined in the spirit of event with his dapper pinstripe suit and funky footwear. The theme ‘Walk In My Shoes’ encouraged participants to wear some fun and unusual shoes, walk a mile and donate €2. It was inspiring to see Nora Casey looking every bit the pillar of strength that she is reputed to be lending a heart and a shoulder to former Dragon Sarah Newman who also came along to enjoy the occasion.

Run Fat Bitch Run

Run Fat Bitch Run
by Ruth Field
Book Review 11/3/12

If you are looking for some ego stroking and hand holding to get you off the couch you ain’t going to find it here girlie. Run Fat Bitch Run is hard on reality and soft on specific running techniques and training plans. The no nonsense approach that Ruth Field has chosen doesn’t try to be a book about performance running or weight loss, just a get up off your ass and do it motivator as the title suggests.

The target audience is certainly female with a profile like: non runners, casual runners, newbie mums and older age groups. Through a series of letters to the Grit Doctor from her husband Olly, mother, sister and other contributors the text is broken up in to easily digestible chunks. Ruth aka The Grit Doctor also includes her own journal type entries throughout to push the message of running, eating, motivation and other considerations. She includes tips for health and safety, motivation meltdown and what to do if you fall off the wagon. The language is direct and honest which she does deliver with a mental health warning. Not for the easily offended. That’s comforting coming from a woman who is a Barrister by profession.

I was slightly embarrassed when I went to purchase it as the girl serving me behind the desk was seriously overweight and I have a BMI within the 20-25 range. I felt I needed to explain that I was doing a review and encouraged her comments and feedback. She seemed happy to discuss it with me and added that it was selling well in that particular store. I was obviously more sensitive to the subject matter than her.

Ruth’s ‘whatever it takes to get you out the front door’ approach encourages you to look at yourself in the mirror naked as you challenge yourself to ‘run fat bitch run’. The journey then takes you on an eight week gentle training programme with the hope that by the end of the period you have developed an addiction for running and that you look and feel amazing. The six step programme includes a sense of humour but also the reality that running is hard work. ‘Hard is the new black’ she adds so that you are under no illusions of the physical, mental and emotional demands of the task at hand. ‘Fun is what you have after you have been running and it is what you are because you run’.

The Grit Doctor started to get under my shell after a while to the point that I found myself thinking ‘Screw you, beatch. If you can do it Ruth so can I!’
Certain elements of style and repetition grated a little on my own delicate nervous system and I found myself wanting to achieve the results for a number of bizarre reasons. The first one being pride; I sure as hell ain’t going to let all the x-fat bitches pass me out on my next 10k. Secondly, she stirred a little bit of female envy in me. I am seriously jealous of Ruth’s fabulous years in France and her doting hubby Olly who is now a keen runner and contributor. Also her success in writing a widely read fab and fitness book without much technical details or sciency bits.

So as I pound the streets motivated by my own running and writing interests I have Ruth sitting on my shoulder, taunting me, challenging me and helping me to be the best that I can be in all aspects of my life. ‘And thus like the wounded oyster, I mend my shell with pearl’. I raise my glass and my game to a book which has the potential to inspire runners of all shapes and sizes because of its simplicity and accessibility. The message in a nutshell is run, drink more water and eat less crap.

Bring it on Ruth, let the games begin.


Thanks

The Points Race

The Points Race
It All Adds Up

The national debate on obesity and fitness gained a little more momentum over the past few weeks with all parties tossing the doubled sided coin of exercise and nutrition.

The nutritional awareness campaign supported by Minister For Health Dr James Reilly continues in the consultation process until 29th February. Discussions include the proposal that fast food restaurants should display calorie content alongside their menus. Dr Reilly wrote to 24 outlets last year to invite their comments and suggestions for an Irish model. This approach is already being rolled out by McDonalds in the UK although there is no evidence to suggest that this method will make any difference to eating habits or lifestyle choice. In fact it may be viewed as a display of ‘caveat emptor’ on behalf of the Government and the suppliers to demonstrate their duty of care in the freedom of information. Whatever the outcome, it appears that the cost of this initiative will be carried by the food outlets just as EU regulation on food packaging labels requires manufactures to be more informative and consumer friendly.

The other side of the coin is the fitness and activity levels of the masses. The popular RTE programme Operation Transformation was an appropriate and wide reaching platform for Professor Niall Moyna to highlight some interesting points for discussion. His findings in a 5th year group showed alarmingly that only 6/16 boys and 0/9 girls had adequate baseline fitness for healthy living. A carrot of €1000 for the Athlone teenagers is being offered if they can reach acceptable levels within eight weeks of training.

Moyna’s radical approach to getting our schools more active includes a suggestion that fitness become a modular subject like maths or English with credits attached. Idealistically these points can then be accumulated towards the race system for third level places. Of course this raises the questions about resources. It could be argued that some schools would have an advantage over others but that could be argued for any subject already on the curriculum.
And how about standing for an entire 40 minute class once a day? Another suggestion which merits serious consideration. The healthy body healthy mind focus for our learning environments is a potential seed bed of inspired living for our leaders of the future.

Apart from the fitness and fatness debate, let’s not forget that this is also about health, wellbeing and potentially a smarter economy. Research conducted in both schools and workplaces to measure cognitive function demonstrates that exercise and nutrition have an important role to play in an individual’s fitness for purpose; physically and mentally.

While it appears that no blanket approach is going to have as much impact as smaller bite sized initiatives, we welcome any workable initiatives into our homes, schools, communities and workplaces with great gusto. And with the message ringing loud and clear from all angles of society it is our personal duty of care as individuals and parents to make informed and healthy choices. So whether we are calories counting or adding up our academic points, together we can eat this elephant chunk by chunk.

Patricia Murphy
nutrishon@gmail.com
6/2/12

Exercise On Prescription - The Dose Response

How Much Is Enough?

Despite a team of sports elites coming forward about their mental health in recent weeks, exercise is still good for us.

As promoters of exercise for health and wellbeing, it is important that we do not lose this message and continue to prescribe physical activity as both a remedy to existing conditions as well as a preventative measure.

This asks the question then; how much is enough? There is indeed a direct dose response which can be tipped out of balance to either end of the scale. There is also a big difference between an average Joe’s daily fix and the gruelling training schedules that an elite will have to undergo.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity per week just to maintain good health. This training can be broken down into 3-5 days per week of say 30-50 minutes of single or multiple bouts per day. As long as any one session exceeds 10 minutes it’s considered a lodgement in to the bank of health and fitness. If the goals are then raised further to improve weight loss or performance training, this total may increase dramatically.

The extremes that our gallant elites push themselves to is way beyond our comprehension. They are conditioned to dealing with tremendous amounts of physical, mental and emotional pressure which if goes untreated can result in total blowout. Their schedule of training and events coupled with the highs and lows of performing result in a condition known as post competition depression. Even the urban Mamil (Middle aged man/mum in lycra) and weekend warrior who has trained for a fun event can feel a little deflated once the finishing line has been crossed. The what now, what next questions are great motivators for the recreational athlete while the elites process the triumph or tragedy of winning, losing or DNF (did not finish). Their careers, their purpose and their wellbeing are all at stake. Although this is not an excuse for an athlete to take a banned substance it does allow us some insight into the pressures and temptations which cross their paths.

With the winter games already underway and London fast approaching it is our duty as supporters to really put our money where our mouths are. We need to get out there and emulate our heroes in their pursuits. Swim, bike, run, canoe, join a team sport; get active. So at least when we become the armchair sports experts of 2012 we have the health and the wellbeing to clap in appreciation and an idea of what it is like to be inside the head of the worlds finest athletes as they compete in our good name.

Go Team Ireland !!

Totally TRX

Totally TRX
When your fitness motivation is hanging in the balance

It’s always refreshing to try out a new fitness regime, especially if you get bored easily and into a gym rut. TRX is a relative newbie on the Irish market although it has been hot across the US for about 5 years. Developed as a compact, portable fitness aid using parachute strapping, this versatile and challenging routine uses suspension, body weight and anti gravity to get your heart rate soaring. The adjustable sturdy straps are anchored to an overhead attachment or door and the combinations of exercises address strength, balance, flexibility, co-ordination and core stability with a measure of cardio thrown in.

Our friendly and enthusiastic instructor Isty made us handful of first timers on a Saturday afternoon feel safe and motivated. Always important when dealing with potentially dangerous equipment. The system replicates many of the regular exercises of free weights and other resistance training machines. I certainly felt I had a good range of movement with every exercise, sometimes even better than the restrictions of other equipment. The intensity is adjusted by small tweaks to your body alignment and wow can you feel the difference.

Properly taught, TRX is suitable for males and females of all ages and all levels of fitness but may require modifications for certain conditions. Classes are becoming more widely available across the country in both private membership gyms and pay as you go facilities. TRX home system is available on line directly from the supplier together with instructional DVD and other information. I’m not sure I would rush out to buy it as I prefer the group dynamic and one to one instruction of a class. I would recommend try before you buy.

TRX is fresh, it’s fun and defiantly feels like functional fitness. It gets my thumbs up.

May the force be with you.

Cost: €6.50 non member
Loughlinstown Leisure Centre
South County Dublin

Walk Away and Work It Out

Walk Away and Work It Out!
Tap in to your own natural ability to look and feel great. Physically, mentally and emotionally this is your call to action.


It’s not a secret, nor should it be that exercise and activity have a powerful benefit on our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The study and research of exercise and nutrition has continued to grow worldwide over the past twenty years. The media focus appears to be on weight loss, how to get the bikini body and what diets and exercise routines our favourite sports stars are following to get them in tip top shape. Other hugely important benefits include positive changes to mood states, feelings of wellbeing and social inclusion. The simple proof of this is something that we can all vouch for.
As human beings we are amazingly designed for movement and physical challenges. If our ancestors had sat behind desks or watched TV for hours every day chances are you and I would not be here today. We evolved on the move and the fact is we are doing less and less. Even our children have less freedom and resources to play and exercise in what should be a totally natural and essential part of growing up. While the school curriculum recognizes the benefits of including PE and sports programmes, it has to be limited in line with costs and teaching time available for other academic subjects. Education is a driver of modern economies and valuable school time diverted from academic studies is not always possible. It is up to us as individuals, parents and educators to lead the way.

Studies have shown that as little as fifteen minutes per day of brisk walking can change the way we look and feel about ourselves and our capacity to deal with everyday stress. That’s thanks to all the happy hormones working their magic. Best of all, it costs absolutely nothing, zero, nada. Now, we are not talking here about weight loss or training for the next Olympics. Just straight forward one foot in front of the other, get a bit of a sweat going but still be able to hold a conversation without being breathless. Add on a few extra minutes and you really are going places. Even better still, hook up with a neighbour or friend and get going. No matter what you choose to do it is going to be of benefit, either alone or with company. You can decide to plan your walk into your daily routine or walk with a purpose to get to work or go shopping. There are no rules. How refreshing. As long as you have a decent pair of walking shoes and dress for the weather you are good to go. Keep your own safety in mind if you are out and about on busy roads and of course be visible at night. Walking groups are great fun and a great way to meet like-minded people. The chatter and the endorphins will soon be flying. It feels great just to get out of your own head for a while and connect with your physical body and your surroundings.

Why not take a trip to the local pay as you go gym, pool or community centre and get all the help you need within a safe and friendly environment? With a variety of classes and courses available you would be walking your way into a whole new lease of life. Oh, and by the way, this motivation and will power thingy that people go on about. Makes you feel a bit left out when they all seem to have loads of it and you don’t. Well, surprise surprise. Motivation can come and go like the Irish summer. Don’t rely on it. Success comes down to good old fashioned DISCIPLINE. Nothing else, it’s that simple. Some days you feel great, full of energy ready to go. Other days well, just get out and do it. You will defiantly feel better by the time you finish.

My own personal appreciation of the simple benefits of walking comes from years of experience as a health and fitness consultant working within a corporate environment. Each day I preach a message to the already converted. Together we revel in the benefits that exercise has had for us on a personal level as well as discuss any other goals that we are gearing up towards. What really got me singing the praises once again of walking was my own brush with the blues. Fitness for me is a way of life but I got a bit caught up in the performance and stopped enjoying it just for me. It was during a time of enormous personal stress that I had no choice but to cut back on my other fitness activities and revert simply to walking and cycling to commute. The results were instant. I started to think better, I found a focus again just for me. Some of my best ideas and moments of clarity have been either on my bike or walking the dog. My sleeping went back to normal and once again I could appreciate all the incredible gifts I have in my life.

I have been able to use this experience to validate the masses of research that promotes physical activity as a means to treat depression and other physical and mental conditions. Personally, I prefer to exercise outdoors because I get an extra benefit from being in touch with my more earthy instincts. Everyone is different so be resourceful.

So, if you are feeling a little under pressure with work or life in general my top tip for any age and any level of fitness is to walk away and work it out. Each step is moving you closer and closer to where you want to be. Making physical activity and exercise a lifestyle choice is an incredibly simple and rewarding decision. This is your call to action which will benefit not just you but all those around you.

In Fitness . In Health