10 Things for Optimal Energy, Skipping, and Gratitude

Hey all! It’s been a while since we’ve reached out. The year 2025 has been full with training, traveling, racing, and new business opportunities. Aside from the day jobs, we took over RaceCenter, which has kept us busy this year. Our goal, however, has always been to get back to writing and sharing on the topics of endurance training, mental health, living small, adventuring big, and longevity (in sport—now that both Susan and I are in the 50+ age groups ;)

The Dirty Good vanlife and mental health advocacy has now become a quest to continually get out further on trails, gravel roads, and mountain passes, while building durability, resilience and increasing our longevity and healthspan. We hope you continue with us on this journey. We’ll be sending this Outfurther newsletter with more regularity in the coming year.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Paul & Susan Lieto

Adventures

Esquire magazine profiles the sport of Ultrarunning, and Raf Willems’ attempt to complete a 268-mile brutal ultramarathon event in northern England, the Spine Race. Raf is just like you, or I, a forty-nine-year-old Belgian who began running about a decade ago.

“Ultra running is always about seeking boundaries of personal ability,” Willems, a forty-nine-year-old Belgian, told [author Chris Hatler]. “Who am I? What kind of person am I? In circumstances that are hard, what do I do?”

In three attempts, Raf hasn’t completed the race. But he continues to test himself and his limits.

He Lost His Mind Running a 268-Mile Race. Then He Tried It Again, and Again.

Push Yourself Further → Nordic skiing—A killer workout and accessible to almost every level of fitness and experience. It’s a relatively low impact activity, aside from the occasional panic fall when first learning. There are essentially options for a Nordic approach; the more technical skate-ski style, the traditional “classic” approach, or a more adventurous off-groomer backcountry route.

Susan and I picked up basic backcountry nordic skiing during our year in Idaho last Winter. While we never felt super proficient, it was always a good workout and an awe-inspiring way to connect with Nature.

Here’s a primer with a few spots to hit in the Idaho and Montana areas.

Training + Wellness

According to Stuart McMillan, a renowned sprint coach, skipping offers benefits for runners at every level. It stands out as one of the most powerful yet overlooked methods of plyometric exercise. Plyometric workouts consist of dynamic movements such as jumping and leaping, essential for developing speed, agility, and strength.

Why Skip → Skipping enhances hip mobility and the knee-to-glute movement pattern—functions that naturally decline with age. When you add skipping to your training plan, you sustain and improve these essential motions, resulting in a more dynamic and effective running form.

Read further → Unlocking the Power of Skipping: A Runner's Secret Weapon via Brad Dixon

10 Things This Physiologist Does Every Day For Optimal Energy
My Takeaways → Become more religious with my morning walks, focus on hydrating in the morning, and don’t skip breakfast—but rather make sure I have adequate protein to help stay satiated and avoid energy dips from something too heavy on the carbs. Additionally I should likely start an hourly timer that reminds me to stand up and walk around for a minute. Too much sitting is likely aggravating my sciatic nerve and IT Band issues.

Longevity + Aging Happily

Just Getting Back Into A Routine? Here are tips, evidence and 5 exercises to help build a solid morning routine which can help boost testosterone levels, improve mitochondria and kickstart your metabolism.

Paul’s Must-Watch
My Pace – Life of Goro | Escaping City Rules for Outdoor Life in Hokkaido

Archives Revisited → While we haven’t lived in a van for some time, rereading this Thanksgiving post from several years back makes me long for, and appreciate, that adventure shared between Susan and myself.

Further Reads →
55 runners from 18 countries completed the World’s Deepest Marathon – setting two new Guinness World Records and pushing human limits.

Adidas Pulls No Punches with Its Fully Revamped Lineup of Technical Trail Racers

Chop Wood, Carry Water Hannah Green contemplates the importance of the simple daily tasks that keep us grounded in changing times.

To Get Happier, Make Yourself Smaller The path to enlightenment is through contemplating one’s insignificance. Via The Atlantic (Paid Subscription)

Thanksgiving and Happiness, the Neuroscience Experts say giving thanks can positively change your brain by boosting dopamine and serotonin, begetting a brighter mood and better sleep.

Longevity Spending to Top $8T

IRONMAN and AG1 extend partnership through 2026.

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