UnrefinedAthlete

When I started my diet and exercise program I was somewhat overweight and flabby. In the course of 8 weeks, while training for my first marathon, I turned myself around using products and routines that I have come to rely on and that almost anyone can incorporate into their lifestyle. This blog is to chronicle experiments with natural approaches to fitness---what works and what doesn’t? It will contain my diet, full yoga practices, and strength training routines. Follow me as I test out methods, foods, products, and workouts for getting fit naturally. No drugs, other than the occasional Belgian (alright, Mexican) brew. On Unrefined Athlete, I will share challenges, successes, and no doubt, failures. So, I'm really putting it all out there. If any of you elite running gods are reading, you should share your secrets too...

I am a recreational runner, registered yoga teacher, and wannabe Ironman® (I think I have to put that R there or they’ll sue me) triathlete. I still get shin splints and I can't do a pull up-yet. Since embracing the "unrefined" I found myself at the finish line of a handful marathons, half marathons, and one American Odyssey Relay. As an anthropologist, and now graduate student in clinical health psychology, the mind-body connection is of specific interest to me when it comes to excelling athletically. So, just how far is it possible for the average person to go as an athlete? I guess we’ll find out.