Tarahumara

Reading the unusually inspiring book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall. I was coincidentally handed this book by my good friend Jed, the second week after I had committed myself to running at least 20 miles per week. I've recently found a passion for running, particularly in San Francisco, where there's much to see and few indomitable hills. I'd never been a long distance runner until I started running in Golden Gate park. One day I discovered that running 6 miles was a breeze when every turn was a new sight. Two weeks later I turned it to 9 miles, then 12, and 13, then Occupy happened and I faded from exercise almost entirely. But the urge to run has overcome me again (now that I am unfortunately 15lbs heavier), and reading this book, I feel like my soul has been stumbling upon some truths that the Tarahumara have already turned into an art form.

1) Running is a joy, not a chore or a means to an end. Yin was able to run 5 miles easily at Bay to Breakers, and Julia survived 8 miles through Cambridge while we chatted. Granted, the joy starts slipping away from me somewhere around mile 10, but I'm working on tearing down that wall. Low friction undies -- a must -- then maybe next time I'll wear the camel pack and maybe a lower friction shirt. But by far my most important discovery for running further is to relax, smile, take in the sights, listen to happier music. Caballo Blanco's first word of advice is "easy," which I think is to ease your state of mind, and believe what you are doing is out of joy, not something that is gruelling.

2) The other words of wisdom from Caballo Blanco had more to do with form, "Light, smooth, and fast." The first two are of particular interest to me, because I wear flip flops every day, and noticed when I am out of shape my steps are loud and careless, and it would be a good exercise for me to consciously mind my steps more, mind the weight, lift the sandal but don't let them flap carelessly. Just like in surfing, you don't have to paddle hard, you paddle smoothly. If your body is light, and your movements are smooth, fast will follow.

3) Not directly related to the book, I've also been dabbling in eating far more vegetables, but far less in general. I tend to get half or quarter pound servings of veggie salads at Raley's, and a piece of fruit, and that might be all I eat in a day, and I'm not starving when I go to sleep. I only do that a few days a week due to my lifestyle, but we'll see where this goes. Scott Jurek is a full vegan and the world's greatest ultra marathoner. Ultra coach, Scott Vigil advised his athletes to eat as if they were poor. I also learned that chia -- yes, as in the chia pet -- is a super food that rivals quinoa for nutrients, and I'm dying to get my hands on some and try it out.

4) The ultimate discovery in this book goes well beyond diet, training, footwear (or lack there of), or running. The big discovery of the Tarahumara is the kindness and love that they extend to those around them. They are not boastful, not confrontational, competitive only as a form of comradery, have no form of money, only do what is kind to do to each other, and run from trouble. On Scott Vigil's walls are the advice to "practice abundance by giving back," "Improve personal relationships," and "Show integrity to your value system." When was the last time you saw what you would call real integrity in the world around you. Paul Ryan just went up and gave a speech full of more lies than truths, making Clinton's exaggerations look like gospel truths by comparison. Slick Willy is our cornerstone of integrity, super. But I know I need work on all three of those categories. I am not chock full of giving, strong personal relationships, or even integrity really.

In the world of sports, we've all been taught to push hard, fight, dig deep, compete, etc., but where was the advice to love what you're doing. In The Sandlot, the main character says, "Just have fun, you would've caught that ball if you were having fun." or something to that extent. When I was watching the Olympics, I wrote down that loving what you do is a must, or you will not be great at it. Going over Maslow's hierarchy of needs I saw accomplishment listed as one of the level 4 needs. If you must be great at something to feel accomplished, and must love what you do to be great at something, then how on earth are ordinary people supposed to ever feel a sense of accomplishment just going through the motions of everyday life. My mom has always been a great teacher because she makes learning exciting -- she gets kids to love what they're learning -- but the only other teacher I've seen that same spirit in is Mr. Kinavey. Is the lack of that sort of teaching where the failure to find passion comes from? Or is it that what we are passionate about often is not a lucrative profession? There are a select few who can be passionate about being a doctor, engineer, trust fund manager, etc. Or is the problem a societal one, in that we do not experience a truly loving and giving culture in the fast paced world we live in. Where have those values of Christianity gone to? Why have we been left only with the obsession to live immaculate lives -- no gays, no abortion, practice abstinence, etc -- and let values like compassion for others fall by the wayside. Jesus didn't say stop sinning, he said your sins are forgiven. That's not to say we shouldn't strive to live virtuous lives, but more importantly, lead by example, tend to your own morals and spirituality, but strive to be compassionate to others. This to me seems the opposite of the fallacy of composition situation, where rather than doing what's right for oneself at the expense of the whole, doing what's right by oneself is more conducive to allowing others to find the best within themselves.

The world is ready for a paradigm shift, and if the Tarahumara have shown the best shoes of all are practically nothing rather than the over-engineered, arch-supporting, hundred dollar, heel padding super shoes, then maybe a lack of integrity and strict adherence to the social experiments of Saul Alinsky are not as universally true as they appear to be today. We were talking at the beer discussion group tonight about how sometimes great shifts are preceded by mountains of lies denouncing the truth of the future. Before Japanese cars took over the market, American car manufacturers denounced them as crap, when the electric light bulb came about England was one of the last to get it because the lamp oil industry was so strong there, and in Ayn Rand's fictional account of course the universities and "science experts" were all opposed to the Riordan super metal. In all these cases, results spoke for themselves, and I think that can happen in the world of politics. We're already seeing less polished politicians like Chris Christie taking center stage, and I think it's only a matter of time before those whose statements are not intended to be "factual statements," such as John Kyl sink into oblivion.

Inspired

I hope someday historians will look back and say this was the year inspiration found me. Occupy has been incredibly inspiring. Directly helping total strangers in a meaningful way is a rare event, and I can now say I've done that. I've ironically played monopoly with the homeless, and helped keep a family from being homeless on Christmas. These are incredibly small, but rewarding things. Alfred Marshall, a former scientist turned economist has set an example, leaving a highly regarded profession and career in favor of economics, because he wanted to HELP people.

But this week, it's been all about one thing. The 2012 London Olympics. I just watched Dominic Rudisha break the world record in the 800m. He has only a dirt track to train on, and though he is a world class athlete, he chooses to live in humble housing at St. Patricks Catholic school in Kenya. A few nights ago I saw Korani James win the 400m, representing his small country of Grenada with great humility and sportsmanship. He is incredibly young, but represented his country with incredible humility and sportsmanship. Easily the best part of these olympic games are the background stories of some of these athletes.

But what I'm hoping to catch a glimpse of is what it takes to be the greatest. I wrote earlier about the discipline required to be a professional, but there are a lot of professionals out there, what does it take to be the BEST? I've heard for years to do the simple things well, and not to fear failure, and to do the simple things well, but this year, I am finally hearing them and feeling inspired. I grew up watching Michael Jordan, and I know I saw Michael Jordan to the Max in theaters, but I think I only really heard it for the first time, watching it a couple nights ago. I feel like it's finally clicking for me, but I see these teenage olympic gymnasts becoming the best in the world at half my age, and have to wonder how they figured out the key to success so young. I think that while a special few people have the will to be the best on their own expectations, having others counting on you and pushing you is a huge factor. Mom driving you to every practice and meet, every weekend and after work, preparing meals, paying huge bills, etc. raises some very real expectations, and I have to imagine that's a factor in success if it doesn't drive you nuts first.

Mentors -- what role do mentors play. The 1500m swimmer from China rose to new heights only after finding his mentor in Australia. When you see two runners under the same coach running the 1500m in the olympics, you have to know that coaching is a huge factor.

Discipline and sacrifice -- of COURSE! What are all the things these athletes have given up? Desserts? TV? Relationships? I'm sure they've lost sleep, suffered intense physical pain, and felt like giving up a number of times. But I have to believe they enjoy it. Enjoy the success, the improvement, and of course the sport they play... if you can call it "play." The 3 time Olympic gold medalist, women's volleyball team retired after 2 medals, but came back for another. Michael Jordan retired after his first 3-peat and his father's death, but came back to win another 3 in a row, then after retiring came back to play for the Wizards. There's much more than suffering and pride that drives these players.

I try not to make a habit of writing about things I know nothing about, and being the best is not something I know, but this is an investigation into what it's going to take for me to be the economist or engineer I want to be. So here's a first stab at a recipe to success:

1. Strength of character -- humility, discipline, determination, patience, grace, etc.
2. Fearlessness -- this could fall in with the above list, but I think deserves its own, because it includes not fearing failure, and just as importantly, not fearing success
3. Coaching -- Life is too short to learn these things on your own. You NEED to stand on the shoulders of giants if you want to compete with other giants.
4. Love what you are doing -- if you're not passionate about, and enjoy what you're trying to achieve, you will not be the best at it. Period.
5. Sacrifice -- Life is too short to be the best without giving up some of the extraneous details along the way
6. Expectations -- It's debatable whether this is a necessity, but I do think it is invaluable. I think it is easier to succeed when you're on a team pushing each other to succeed. It is easier to be the best when everyone expects you to be the best. It's easier to continue on when that is the expectation. If you make all the afore mentioned points the expectation, then I think you have a good chance of being great, and a small glimmering chance at being the best. Also, falling under the category of expectations, I would put schedules and goals. Don't just workout, have a workout regiment, don't just have a reading list, have a reading schedule, etc.

That's all for now, I'm sure this will be updated in the future as more pieces of the puzzle come into view.

how to be a professional - content

The difference between professionals and amateur speculators is the difference between knowing what WILL work and speculating what CAN work. Keith's method of being a professional:

• Identify the problem
• Identify conditions under which the problem occurs
• Find causal relationship, and be able to explain the relationship of the conditions and the problem
• Confirm you've identified the problem with all available methods: precedent, math, simulation, experiment
• Kevin's debugging mantra "I'm almost from Missouri (show me)." Nothing can be assumed until it's been verified at its lowest level
• Find a solution
• make sure the intended consequence will result, using as many methods as are available (precedent, math, simulation, experiment)
  
• what are the tradeoffs
• what are the risks taken on by implementing the solution
• If the solution requires too many blocks to all fall into place in order to work, then it is risky. A robust solution is not built like a house of cards, and will not be defeated entirely in the event of unpredictable failures or small losses.
• If there are alternative states of operation, how will the change affect them
• What will be the effect of non-idealities on the solution
•  Document the solution and the problem throughout the process
• presentation material can often be shortened versions of notes
• Schedule what will happen, not what could happen, watch the schedule daily
• knowing this comes with experience, so make note of experiences
• account for time for seemingly menial tasks
• don't transmit schedule beyond planners until unknowns are eliminated
• CHECK THE SCHEDULE before it comes up; know everything coming up in the next week.
• Maintain a list of items that need to be done
• record start date, end date, estimated and actual time for completion, what the solution was after fixing it, date fixed, etc. FOR EVERYTHING!
• When you receive input/suggestions add it immediately, no matter what, can comment it out later if needed
• Do not get told twice to do something!
• Likewise, when sending instructions to other parties, don't consider the item completed until a response has been received.
  

This method can be applied to nearly any scenario requiring problem solving - engineering, chess, Occupy, etc. As difficult as it may be to be diligent throughout this process, these are only the more tangible steps. Still need to identify and define the intangible keys to being a professional. I'm sure there are books written on the subject.