 Heading into the 24 hour race, my goal was to complete 75-100 miles to raise donations for Honor Flight Kern County.
I am proud to say that I completed 85 miles! I am also proud to say I finished 6th place overall and 1st in my age group in the 24 hour distance out of 30 participants! I didn't do too shabby for an old fart! At this point, we have raised $2,120 for our local veterans in the Bakersfield area. And with the dollar match from our generous donor, we have a grand total of $4,240! We will be closing the donation link at the end of the week, so if you would like to donate, please do by clicking the following link: HHP GIVES BACK This Silver Moon Race was important to me because it will be my last ultra run for a very long time, if ever again. I wanted to do this race because it is a symbol of me closing one chapter of my ultrarunning story. I won't stop running or being part of events, I just feel that my heart and soul are yearning to head in a different direction with my time. When you are moving for 24 hours in a row, you have a lot of time to think. When doing any endurance event, you go through an emotional rollercoaster with finding any excuse to quit and finding the will to fight that excuse. To summarize a few of my thoughts I had during the minutes spent on my feet... The Journey Imagine the scenery—the changing landscapes, the sunrise, and the sunset. Even though it was a 2.5 mile loop course, it changed with every passing hour. It is beautiful to see how the shadows move with each lap as the hours pass. It is remarkable to watch the sunset and sunrise knowing you have been connected to the earth in ways that have long been forgotten about. The camaraderie with fellow runners is another energy unmatched, even if nothing is spoken. As I said in my last newsletter, we are all running for our own reasons. It is the reasons why we become family out on the course. The solitude during late-night miles, and the sheer determination to keep moving forward is another mental challenge that I enjoy. Only when you challenge yourself to the edge, that is when you discover something about yourself. It is a beautiful self discovery of self during those moments. The Finish Line As I was approaching the final miles, I drew inspiration from those who’ve conquered ultra distances in past, those out on the course with me and the runners of the future. A big source of inspiration was thinking about my daughter. I want her to be proud of her dad. I want to set a good example of what a man should be. In this day and age, there are too many boys and not enough men. I want to be a positive male role model for my child and any young kids that need a source of motivation. The Reward Completing 85 miles in less than 24 hours is an achievement to cherish. Two days after the event and my legs are so dang sore, but my heart is smiling. In closing, I would like to thank everyone who donated to my fundraising event and for all those who have supported me throughout my journey. I appreciate each and every one of you. I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude. Your kindness, support, and trust mean the world to me. Whether it’s a small gesture or a significant collaboration, your impact is felt deeply. Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your presence brightens my days, and I am genuinely thankful for the opportunity to serve you. Wishing you all the best, Vice
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 It is the morning of the Silver Moon 24 Hour Race and I am nervously excited. The race starts at 6pm tonight, so that gives me plenty of time to think as I sip my coffee. People often ask me why I like to do long distance events? Or, why do I push my body to extremes? The short answer is, because we only have one life to live. The long answer has many components. Please allow me to indulge in my own self gibberish this morning as I explain a few things. I love running, triathlons, and powerlifting because your own individual effort is what will yield results. It is just me against me. With team sports, it is easy to blame others for a loss. When it is just you, you have to look in the mirror and be happy with your efforts regardless of the outcome. Only you know if you truly gave your best for the day. Another reason I enjoy participating in events is because of the brother and sisterhood. At 6pm tonight, I may not know every runner that is there, but I know that we are bonded from toeing the line. Each and every runner is there for their own reasons. They are all on a journey of self discovery and evolution. Can you imagine all the hopes and dreams that are gathered at the starting line? Speaking of self discovery, that is another big component why I love ultrarunning. I am attempting to run 100 miles in 24 hours. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, my body will be screaming to quit. The pain will come. The suffering is inevitable. What does one do when everything is telling you to stop? That is when you dig deep and find out what you are made of. You will find out what level of mental toughness you posses deep inside. To feel the hurt and having the mental strength through push through speaks volumes. In our culture today, we can be lazy. We don't need to go hunt for our food or pick berries all day. We can go to the grocery store. We can Instacart too. We live in a society of convenience. Because of it, it is important to push ourselves. It is important to set goals and chase them. It is imperative to our ancestorial DNA that would challenge ourselves. If we don't challenge ourselves, regardless if is a physical, emotional, financial, familial, etc., then how would we grow? I have a beautiful daughter. I want her to grow up seeing her daddy exercise, work, and play. She will be at the starting and finish line this weekend. I want her to experience the energy and vibes from all the runners. I want her to understand that movement is part of life and why it is important for us to move. Now more than ever, kids are not exercising. Childhood obesity is insanely high. It is up to us, as parents, to set a good example when it comes to health and fitness. I know, I know, I have been rambling way too long. So I will wrap it up with this: I want to look back at my life and be proud of what I have done. This is my one life, so I want to look back and smile with all the positive moments that have been left on my soul. Thank you so much for the support and encouragement that you all have given me. It means more to me than you could ever know. With sincerest gratitude, Vice  In our fast-paced lives, stress, tension, and physical strain often take a toll on our bodies. Whether you’re an athlete pushing your limits or an office worker glued to a chair, muscle soreness can become a constant companion. Enter muscle therapy, a time-tested practice that promises relief and relaxation. But is it truly worth the investment? Let’s explore.
The Art of Healing Touch The muscle therapy we provide at Hybrid Health encompasses a wide range of techniques, from trigger point, body tempering, cupping, scraping and deep tissue work. Here are some compelling reasons why it might be worth your hard-earned money: 1. Stress Reduction and Relaxation
Client Insights To delve deeper, I spoke with Jen B., a client of HHP for 3 years: “Hybrid Health muscle therapy isn’t just a luxury; it’s an investment in your health. It’s about more than just feeling good—it’s about restoring balance, improving circulation, and supporting overall wellness.” The Cost Consideration Now, let’s address the financial aspect. It’s essential to view this expense as an investment in your health and well-being. DIY vs. Professional While self-massage tools and techniques exist, there’s no substitute for a skilled therapist’s hands. However, if budget constraints are a concern, consider a mix of both professional sessions and self-care at home. Conclusion: Is muscle therapy worth the money? Absolutely. It’s not merely a luxury; it’s an investment in your physical, mental, and emotional health. So go ahead, book that muscle therapy appointment—you deserve it! Until next time, Vice & Team HHP  For today's blog, I wanted to tell you about my friend Drew and how inspiring this individual is to me and his crazy 250 Project. Drew is attempting to be the first person to bench press 250 lbs and run a marathon at 2 hours and 50 minutes in the same day!
Today, April 7th, is his attempt at completing the 250 Project because the Bakersfield Marathon is being held this morning at 7am. Drew drove in from out of town and met me at Naspower Gym at 5:20am. I was there to load and unload the bar, so he can just focus on lifting. His warm up sets went smoothly and then worked up and we loaded the bar at 250 lbs. First attempt, missed. Second attempt, missed. Not sure what happened because 240 went up so smoothly. Both attempts at 250 looked great. Drew was explosive off the chest but just stalled out halfway up. Of course he was disappointed that he didn't hit 250 lbs. And with disappointment, comes self negative talk. I told him that I was super impressed and not to get frustrated. I had to remind Drew that he is a badass and in league of his own. I told him the following:
Why am I talking about this? Because it brings up the topic of self gratitude and self negative talk. Let’s delve into the fascinating interplay between self-gratitude and negative self-talk. These two forces shape our inner landscape, influencing our emotions, actions, and overall well-being. We are our own harshest critics. In a world with such negativity, we must learn to appreciate and love ourselves more. Trust me, I am working on that now myself - to learn to value and respect myself. So let's talk about this more... The Power of Self-Gratitude Gratitude is like a warm sunbeam that pierces through the clouds of negativity. When we practice self-gratitude, we intentionally acknowledge and appreciate the positive aspects of our lives, including our own qualities, achievements, and experiences. Here’s why it matters:
The Stealthy Saboteur: Negative Self-Talk Now, let’s shine a light on the shadowy corners where negative self-talk lurks. This internal dialogue can be insidious, undermining our confidence, dreams, and self-worth. Here’s how it manifests:
Cultivating Self-Gratitude and Silencing the Saboteur
In this dance between self-gratitude and negative self-talk, choose your steps wisely. Nurture the seeds of gratitude, and when the saboteur whispers, counter it with kindness. You deserve a symphony of self-love, played on the strings of gratitude. In Closing, If you had read this far, you may be wondering how did Drew perform in today's Bakersfield Marathon? Drew ended up placing 3rd place and ran 26.2 miles in 2 hours and 50 minutes! That is freaking amazing! It just goes to show the mental toughness this guy has. Instead of letting the bench get him down, Drew dug deep and got a personal best in the marathon! Phenomenal! Anyways, enough rambling for this Sunday, Vice |
AuthorVice Lujan is a muscle and movement specialist in Bakersfield, CA. Vice specializes in reestablishing normal, pain-free range of motion of the body. Archives
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