Ran My 3rd Marathon

3rd times the charm. Maybe. Ran my 3rd Hartford Marathon. This time around I applied more mindset "woo-woo" stuff than previously. In particular I relied heavily on the Abraham-Hicks school of thought. I only trained when I really wanted to. I didn't really diet down as much as I was planning/hoping. However I read a book called Endurance Training Nutrition published by the always awesome Human Kinetics. I should say I read some of that book. Turns out I felt like running quite a lot this summer. I really enjoyed the hot, dry weather that smiled on the northeast this year.



Race day was October 10, 2015. I had originally planned on weighing in at 190 pounds. I ended up a jolly, healthy 215 pounds. So I was about 18 pounds heavier than my last (2013) run. My goal was to have fun and finish. Exactly what I did, but crazily enough I surprised myself. My previous marathon time was 4 hours 4 minutes, and like I said a bit lighter, so I was expecting to finish around the 4 and a half hour mark this year. Another thing I did different, I ran in a Spider-Man themed outfit. A perfectly reasonable choice for a 42 year old, 6 foot 4 male. Needless to say, I didn't blend well. Every kid under 12 saw me. Almost every mile of the race, I'd see a group of spectators with a young bored kid. So I'd wave and smile at him or her, and they'd just light up and start yelling for their parents, "Mom, Dad, Spider-Man just waved at me!" I gotta say, it was a total blast.



My youngest son is really into Spidey. So all summer I visualized coming across the finish line, and him lighting up seeing me in my costume. However, it didn't work out that way. My wife took the two youngest kids to swimming lessons which ended at 12. I'd told her before the race, "Don't worry, I won't be finishing til about 12:30." Wrong. I ended up running my fastest race so far. I think the positive energy I got from interacting with the spectators combined with my affirmation helped immensely. The affirmation I used was "If you think you're in The Zone you're not, because there is no thinking in The Zone." More of a reminder than an affirmation really, but it worked. I didn't do my usual brooding/think to much run. I have to say I enjoyed all 26 miles, and when I came across the finish line I actually felt like I could've kept going.

With such an ominous title as The Power of Death, how could I pass up the opportunity to write a review of this book? Though not entirely an easy read, Gabriel Dee's book probes deeply into the unknown experience we are all destined to one day face. This book is a wonderful companion to your daily meditation practice. We don't have to be paralyzed by our fear of death. We can move beyond fear into understanding, and it's not as difficult as that may sound. It's as easy as understanding the rhythm of our own breath. This is serious subject matter, but easily integrated into daily life. I hesitate to use the term "one liners", but Mr. Dee has several succinct, beautiful quotes peppered throughout the book that will stick to your consciousness. If you've never had a near-death, a close call, or a Satori experience; not to worry, the author has written some ideas and techniques to help bring you to that powerful place of living in the present moment and harnessing the power of death itself to improve your life. I received a free review copy of this book, I was not paid for this review, it reflects my honest opinion.

I first heard of Jon Gabriel a few years ago when he was being interviewed on Coast to Coast AM. He really impressed me with his straightforward approach. He has a gift for making a complicated subject easily understood. And weight loss has definitely become a complicated subjected nowadays. This is a book for someone who is serious about getting results. The idea of visualizing turns off some people, however, Jon Gabriel explains the science behind his techniques and why they work. As a trainer, I've tried many times to convince certain clients that their negative emotions and their stress levels are what's holding them back from reaching their weight loss goals. This book goes into great detail about the interconnection stress and emotions have on our hormones and how our metabolism runs in certain programs. Jon isn't preaching a "woo-woo" "think yourself thin" approach. He covers all aspects of weight loss in this book. This is a great book that I'd highly recommend to anyone concerned about their weight. I received a free review copy from Hay House, I wasn't paid for my opinion, and this is my honest assessment of this book.

Beautifully written, with a lot of heart. This is a very insightful and interesting book. The author's adventures in Bhutan are gripping. I found myself thinking, several times throughout my day, on different lessons she encountered on her journey. The culture clash she went through, was easy to identify with, but I wonder if I could've handled it as well. I knew nothing about the country or people of Bhutan going into this book. The day to day and the religious traditions of the Buddhist culture is extremely interesting. Linda Leaming has a great writing style, and a wonderful way of telling a story. A Field Guide to Happiness is a a lot of fun. It's thought provoking and inspiring. I was fortunate to receive a review copy from Hay House, I wasn't financially compensated in any way, and this review represents my honest assessment of the book. I highly recommend it.

I was a little concerned, after reading the introduction, that the word God would distract from my enjoyment of this book. I'm one of those guys who grew up around Us vs. Them Christians, and even as a middle aged man I find the idea of an externalized God/redeemer off-putting on my best days. However the poet Em Claire is so talented and skillful, and her poems so mysterious and beautiful, I didn't mind in the slightest. I found myself identifying with the deity she spoke of, as more like the oneness you feel in meditation, rather than the separation preached by fundamentalists. Matter of fact she's so skilled at pulling you into her magical wording, it becomes easy to let go of preconceived notions and just explore where she's coming from. There's certainly a healing power in these poems. The cut and feel of the pages, also add to the mystical quality of this book. I'd recommend this book to any hopeless romantic regardless of religious persuasion or denominational inclination. This review represents my honest opinion of the book. I was given a free copy for review purposes from Hay House, and wasn't paid or coerced in any way.

You can buy a copy of Em Claire's Silent, Sacred, Holy, Deepening Heart directly from the publisher by clicking on the picture link above.

Brave and beautifully written, the poems in Nancy Levin's Writing for My Life speak on her personal experience, while managing to inspire and teach at the same time. Some of the lessons are easier than others. Many are lifelong themes we all go back to and revisit occasionally. Some of the poems come across as painful and amazing in a way that only poetry possibly can. But it's not a gloomy collection. The underlying theme is about overcoming, and coming back to who you really are. Being true to yourself without finger-pointing. The writing is done through the eyes of the author as she went through a divorce after 15 years of marriage. However, her pain and separation become the reader's pain and separation. Writing for My Life...Reclaiming the Lost Pieces of Me is a deep, intense work of art. It will get under your skin and teach you some things if you give it a chance. There is great value in her words, and I look forward to reading more of Nancy Levin's work in the future. I received a free copy of this book for review purposes from its publisher, Hay House. I wasn't paid or influenced in any way for this review. It is my honest assessment of the work.

I've recently rekindled my love of poetry. I've found it works really well with my mindfulness meditation practice. It also helps me deal with the stress of being a stay-at-home dad of 4, very loud, boys, and also the demands of being a personal trainer. On the surface it wouldn't seem a subject that has anything to do with health and fitness, but like I always say 'bodybuilding is a mental process.' So anything good for the mind, is good for the gains. I'll be posting the occasional poetry review on my blog, mixed in with all the other empowering books I find helpful. Keep your head up. Today is a great day to be great.

Personal power and self mastery are terms that have been bandied about in self-help books for decades, but author Brendon Burchard does a great job of putting a face on those concepts, and making them accessible to everyone. As a person who is already driven and motivated to some extent, I was going to skip this book, but I'm glad I didn't. Mr. Burchard has a poetic, stylish voice, but he also goes for the jugular. He doesn't waste time or pull punches. He asks the tough questions, and reminds the reader often that we are personally responsible for our success or failure. The 9 Declarations are inspiring and fascinating. Each is given a thorough explanation and study with practical examples included. The journaling suggestions in this book can bring clarity and a sense of possibility to many different kinds of challenges. If true freedom and personal development appeal to you, then you'll get a lot out of The Motivation Manifesto. I was given a review copy of this book by the publisher, Hay House Inc., I was not financially compensated in any way and the opinion expressed is my honest assessment of the product.

There's nothing you can criticize or not love about this children's book. Great ideas, cool art, bright colors, but best of all it empowers kids. Positive thinking, self-reliance and acceptance, taking care of others; all are spoken of in a fun, interesting way. What my son enjoyed most was the detail in the art. Because of the many animals that live with Chris and Len, there's a lot going on, a lot you don't notice right away. So it makes the book fun to just sit with awhile and bond with your kid. If you liked the first Chris P. Bacon book, this is a no-brainer, you'll love this one too. I was hesitant to admit that I'm so left brain oriented, that after reading and reviewing the first Chris P. Bacon book, I totally missed the fact that his name is a pun. Doh! However, learning to not take yourself too seriously is one of the lessons the new book teaches. Great lesson for a kid of any age. I received a free, review copy of the book from Hay House. I wasn't financially compensated in any way, and the opinion expressed in this review is my honest assessment.

I really like Tara Stiles' approach in Make Your Own Rules Diet. Like many of the new health and fitness books coming out, this one takes a more realistic approach than the books that came out ten or twenty years ago. The books that suggested you change everything and try to stick to a ridiculously, demanding diet and exercise regime for the rest of your life. Tara does a great job of breaking down the rules of the world, and teaching how you can get to know your own rules, or what you need to do to get where you want to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are plenty of strategies in the book to help you get on track, but ultimately this book is about inspiring you to make your own way. Nobody can walk your path for you, so why not make your own rules. I found the parts of the book where the author opens up about her own struggles to be inspiring. The photos and artwork make it a unique meditative book you'll want to read through many times. If you're on the fence about reading this book, you can find Tara Stiles on youtube. Check out her videos and get a better understanding of one of the coolest yoga and health teachers on the planet today. I received a review copy of this book from Hay House publishing for review purposes. I was not paid for my review, and my opinion is my honest assessment.

Sonia Choquette expresses a level of authenticity that is almost scary. This book really made me look at my own life, into those dark places on the path easily ignored. in Walking Home, the author takes you on her personal journey of things falling apart to forgiveness and healing. The physical portion of her pilgrimage consisted of an intense 34 day hike across Spain, but the tough, inspiring part is the inner journey. This isn't a New Age book, or a Catholic book. Walking Home is a book about confronting ones humanity, healing the heart and all its issues. It's about getting down to what's real on a heart level, rather than interpreting life through an established paradigm. If you've enjoyed any of the author's previous books, you'll love this one, and if this is your first read of her work, I think, you'll come away from it changed for the better. There's a beautiful magic to this tale. I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. I wasn't paid for my review, it is my honest assessment of the book.

For decades, Louise Hay has been walking her talk, and empowering others to find their way to healthier, stronger bodies, minds, and lives. In her latest book Loving Yourself to Great Health, she brings the ideas and experiences of two more incredibly inspiring ladies. Ahlea Khadro and Heather Dane are a wealth of information and practical knowledge that can help you in ways you may not have ever considered. This is an important book. As a fitness professional I usually burn through diet books in two or three sittings. This book is so much more than a diet book though. This is nutrition taken to the next level. I found myself having to sit with some of the concepts for a few days, not that I was having trouble understanding them, but rather I was blown away by their powerful simplicity and effectiveness. This book could change everything for you. Another thing I was happy to see, is that there are no hidden agendas or skewing of data to promote one way of eating over another (i.e. 'you must eat vegan because...' or 'paleo is the only way because...'). Taking responsibility for your health is a big step, and the approach in this book is to make gradual improvements rather than drastic, difficult to follow sudden changes. I honestly can't say enough good things about Loving Yourself to Great Health. I was given a free copy of this book, by the publisher, Hay House Inc. I wasn't paid or compensated in any way for my review or opinion.

I love Pam Grout's book E-Cubed. She is an extremely talented writer. I found myself lol'ing several times, a truly enjoyable read. However the thing that sets this book apart from others is the energy experiments. I learned a lot from the nine assignments. I found out some things about my own personal mental state that were rather eye-opening. If you believe in the power of positive thinking and that our minds manifest, on some level, our reality; then this book is for you. Of course, healthy skepticism can be helpful, but opening up to these ideas and just diving into them for a few days at a time could prove to be a, dare I say it, a mystical experience. I received this book free, for review purposes from Hay House Inc., and I was not compensated for my review or coerced into my opinion, it is my honest assessment of the product.

As someone with a lifelong pattern of miscommunication, I was very excited to read Blamestorming by Rob Kendall. I was expecting to be taking lots of notes, however the author does a fantastic job of breaking conversations down and showing how they go bad, as well as how they can be fixed or at least made more effective. I believe most everyone could benefit from reading this book, as so much of our modern lifestyle is interdependent on how clearly we communicate. I like how Mr. Kendall describes conversations as creative yet messy. So often we can think we're really getting along with someone, oblivious to the train wreck fast approaching. Blamestorming:" Why Conversations go Wrong and How to Fix Them" is a very thought provoking read. It contains easily absorbed information, and colorfully stated concepts that are simple to remember, making them easily accessible, powerful strategies. Another thing that's nice about this book, is that it isn't a total overhaul prescription for changing the way you interact and express yourself through conversation, it's more like a guide for avoiding common pitfalls. Excellent book. I was sent a review copy by the publisher. I was not financially compensated, and the opinion expressed in this review is my honest assessment.

If you've been following the work of Dr. Wayne Dyer, you will love this book. His daughter Serena has written beautifully about what it was like to grow up with parents who have "weird" ideas. The stories from her childhood are insightful and interesting. For a young woman, she writes with great wisdom and clarity. Each chapter of the book echos Dr. Dyer's classic 10 Secrets to Success and Inner Peace. Very significant since that book was originally written for the benefit of his children. What I found most interesting in Don't Die with Your Music Still in You is the idea that those who believe that our thoughts effect our reality have to really be certain we're walking our talk, because there's going to be those times where things get tough and we really need to tune into our "weird" ideas. As a parent I found this book extremely helpful and inspiring, and I hope to see Serena write more in the future. I received this book for review purposes from Hay House, I was in no way financially compensated for my opinion, it is my own honest assessment of this product.

I've read a lot of New Age books over the years, and I firmly believe that the consciousness of the human race is evolving in a positive way, that said, I wasn't quite prepared for a book as amazing as Gene Keys. Richard Rudd has made an incredible contribution to the new thought/new age movement. This book describes in great detail where we are heading in the future, how to reconcile where we've been and how to make the absolute best of where we are right now. Beyond any religious tradition, yet encompassing them all, this is a Zen masterpiece. There are many lofty concepts in this book that the author does a brilliant job of making accessible to anyone. Of the 534 pages in this book, there is not one that doesn't say something important. This is a book to return to time and time again. There is a truly magical quality about working with the Gene Keys. There is a really good chance that while reading it, you may experience some rather shocking, mystical experiences. I'm not kidding, I was blown away. This book will stay on my shelf with the books I return to often. FTC Disclosure: I was given a review copy of this book by a representative of its publisher. I was not paid for my review, and my opinion is my own honest assessment of this work. This one is a classic.

There is an admirable level of honesty the authors bring to this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is suffering from depression or high levels of stress. A caregiver type of person, who is always taking on more and more responsibility without taking care of themselves would also greatly benefit from reading The Power of No. Besides the lessons from author's personal experience, this book offers many powerful insights and several helpful tools for quieting the mind and getting to what is really important to you and your goals in life. Ultimately The Power of No, is not really about the things you say "no" to, but rather about defining what you're allowing and giving up trying to control (and obsess over) the things that are out of your control. The Power of No is a great read, and I take offense to the amazon reviewers who gave it a negative review without bothering to read the whole book. I was given a free review copy of this book by Hay House Publishing, I was not financially compensated in any way, and the opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions which I reached after reading the entire book, like a responsible reviewer.

I've read several books on the subject of meditation, and this is one of the best. The author does a great job of making

deep meditative states understandable and accessible without getting too wordy or guru-ish. If you'd like to learn

meditation, but find you just can't quiet your mind, then this is the book you're looking for. I'd also recommend it to

anyone who has been meditating for awhile, and would like to explore new techniques. I, personally, found the chapters on

stillness and putting things in context to be the most profound and helpful. Sandy Newbigging has created a great system

in Mind Calm, and you can't help but be changed by this book. I was given a copy of Mind Calm by the kind folks at Hay

House Publishing for review purposes. I was not paid for my opinion, and it is my honest assessment of the work.

I was initially skeptical about reading and reviewing a book on global warming. I've known many "green" people over the years who seem well meaning, but spend the majority of the time railing against what they perceive as wrongs against the world, wrongs against the animal kingdom, and wrongs against nature. I was also worried this would be another conspiracy book that spent 95% of it's subject matter on horrifying its reader, and 5% on empowering solutions. However, I needn't have worried. With Take the Red Pill And Cure Global Warming, A.G. Cusick makes the only real solution to global warming and peak oil that I've ever heard. The first section of the book deals with the author's trip around the world in 2006. It mostly focuses on his experience in Australia and New Zealand where he relays first hand accounts of his time spent on WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms.) Many of these farms operate with total self sufficiency. Part of the book is dedicated to explaining how society finds itself in its current state. World leaders, lenders, and power elite are studied without being demonized. By far the most interesting part of the book is the study of spiritual concepts throughout human history. Ultimately all of the problems humanity face boil down to a problem of consciousness. "Global problems require global solutions." We can't 'save the planet' by doing less or conserving energy. Real world solutions will only matter when humanity changes. I hope my summation doesn't give the impression that this book is new age woo-woo fluff, it isn't, there are new paradigms and great ideas within. It will change the way you look at the world.