Gabrielle Bourne's Journey from "Hit and Run" to the Finish Line

In my candid talks with young women at NYU and Columbia University in 2011, I relayed the importance of lifestyle choices. I decided the topic of choices rather than vision, goals and objectives, which are overblown subject matters. It is the choices in life that get us what we want by helping us to move forward, not making excuses and never ending the day with "What ifs."

Our choice must be clearly defined in order to be achieved. I relayed the story of my 2008 hit and run whilst training for a sprint triathlon. I was not in a vehicle but on my bike and luckily I had my helmet on otherwise, I would be either dead or in a coma.

I was immediately trauma hawked to a nearby hospital with multiple fractures and contusions. My helmet cracked...lucky it was not my head! My face resembled Quasimodo, but I was lucky to be alive. I also checked myself out that very night to the amazement of the attending medical staff. My recovery was "miraculous,"BUT it was my lifestyle that saved my life.

Applications to EVERYDAY living and thriving...

Training for an endurance event whether it is a marathon or multi-sport makes use of your bodily capacity (physical inertia), the mental stability (focus) and the spiritual connection (drive). In order to keep all three (3) "actively" engaged, consume "real foods," minimize the processed foods, get plenty of SLEEP, "destress" and keep the body hydrated.

IRONICALLY, the same "process" of training is EXACTLY what is needed in maintaining a daily "thrive factor." Below are some ways athletes maintain their "competitive edge," however the same can be applied to anyone. regardless of their athletic prowess.

Training Consistency

It is vitally important to be "consistent" in your training, thus running the varied distances, track workouts, fartleks, varied gradients including hills. This will ensure that your training is interesting and challenging for your body, whilst optimizing your performance when it matters. Building muscle is an optimal way to increase metabolism, especially when you are striving to lose weight.

We reserve long runs (14 to 18 miles) for SATURDAY, with alternating run/bike training days. SUNDAY is our rest day. During the TRI-season we will add swim/run with alternating bike days, and change it up between trail runs (hills and climbs), road biking or mountain biking. Training should be consistent and FUN!

Nutrition-enriched Foodies

A "diet" should not be confused with or synonymous with "losing weight." A diet just means the way we eat. It is that simple. If you are striving to lose weight and took up running, good for you! There is absolutely NO secret to losing weight, eat right and MOVE! Simple, huh?

Want to know the secret to an optimal diet plan? Eat foods close to the source, the less processed, the better. An average plate should be filled with fruits, veggies, lean protein and complex carbohydrates. When in doubt, eat like a Greek. A Mediterranean diet will provide all the nutrients you need to fuel your body AND maintain your ideal weight.

If you are striving to lose weight, your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is just as important as your Body Mass Index (BMI). You can email me for more information.

Be Part of a Pack

I learned long ago, NEVER go it alone. I have always been part of a group, whether in business, running or biking. My "mates" have really sustained me mentally, emotionally and physically, when my body was aching and every step I took hurt worst than the last. You know what I mean. Even in the animal world, those that stay in a pack survive the longest. Find a running group near you, or fill out our "spam-free" form and we can help you find a local group.

Coaching for Success

Having a coach is "priceless." Each USA Track and Field (USATF) sanctioned marathon course offers online coaching and training. A well crafted coaching program will help you design your training runs, nutrition and tips to help you run longer, faster, stronger without over-fatiguing your muscles. you can contact us for assistance in finding a qualified coach and training program in your area.

APPLICATIONS: "Everyone" can use a Coach. Even Oprah has a Coach, or what she calls her "All Stars" including Dr. Phi, Dr. Oz and Suze Orman. Build your own "All Stars" team to stay on track and keep rising to the occasion in life and profession!

Sleep Well Feel Strong

Do you feel sluggish? Well, your brain might be telling you something. Perhaps you did not get enough sleep. A good delta sleep or REM is the stage where you actually dream and wake up "refreshed." 7-8 hours is recommended. Iove to sleep so bring it on! Need a "cat nap?" Go for it! It is a sure way to restart your "gray matter" called the brain.

De-stress for Optimal Living

"Good stress" is where you are pumped up and ready to get going, i.e. the start of a marathon. "Bad stress" is one that prevents you from getting going, starting or finishing. Let go; breathe it out or; meditate. You have to "let go" to keep moving forward towards your goal, as YOU are the only one who can make it happen. Everything else is just noise. Close it off and shut it down.

Stop Multi-tasking

There was a time when we were "taught" to engage in multi-tasking, doing (2) or more activities at the same time, still practiced in the workplaces today. This is a new training section added in October 2010, following our summer programmes dedicated to this subject matter, to reiterate that multi-tasking does not increase performance, rather it causes "diminishing returns." Find out more in A Blogger's Journal

Hydration is Key to Health

What color is your flow? If you said "clear," you are hydrated. "Murky," well, maybe not so hydrated. Everyone's body is different, so I don't prescribe to the MYTH of 8 glasses of water a day. I drink when I am thirsty and more when the weather is hot and/or when I am training, especially due to the loss of fluids when you sweat, even in the cold!

Marathon Pace Team

Bravo to ALL the women and men who lead their fellow runners to the FINISH LINE! If you are a first time marathoner, ensure yourself a "ready-made buddy system" by falling behind one of the Pace Teams. These Pace teams are designed to help you cross the finish line in your specific time category. For instance, if your goal is to finish in 4 hours, there is a pace team for that. 5 hours? Yes. 3:30? YES!

IMPORTANT FYI, please check with your specific marathon to see what they offer. SunTrust in Washington D.C. has a 5 hour cut off and NYC marathon starts their Pace team at 3:30, not good for someone who is trying to qualify for Boston at 3:20.

APPLICATIONS: Just like a Marathon Pace Team help runners cross the finish line, pacing yourself through life will also give you a competitive advantage, not to mention a healthy dividend! "Unplug" from your technology if you must...highly recommended! Take time out to check out the scenery.

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A Woman of Substance

Study in Personal Courage

Anyone who knows me well knows I don't get impressed by much, BUT when I met Linda Quirk at the NYC marathon expo in 2009, I WAS impressed. You see this remarkable woman was on a mission...a mission to change lives.

 

When I first met Linda, she was tackling 7 marathons in 7 continents in one year, in addition to running in other long distance foot races including New York and Boston. I was so impressed by her "stellar" resolve that I challenged my own students to see pass their own limitations by telling them the story of Linda Quirk.

 

At 57 years old, Linda Quirk is tackling yet another milestone and participating in four extreme foot races that consist of roughly six to seven days along some of the planet’s harshest conditions for a 155-miles each. To put that into perspective, each desert race is the equivalent of running a marathon a day for six to seven days straight (with one 40-mile day packed in-between). Read more>>