(Originally posted June 30, 2012)
After several successful days of waking up excited to work out, and easing into a fitness routine, I was mildly nervous that my double-activity days would either be too much, or leave me hungry for higher-calorie foods, sabotaging all of the benefit. But with good company on my walks, those were a joy to anticipate, and my body was loving getting back into yogi-shape. I was also aware that my two unplanned days would fall victim to lethargy and sloth, traits I must admit I have deeply ingrained in me. But recent inspiration to get back to running pushed me out the door on those days to kick up my heels (or pick up my knees - which running form is better, I still don't know).
One of the big motivators to my running was the book Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It was an entertaining read, full of wild characters and tall tales about extreme athletes and ultramarathons through the roughest, hottest, driest, steepest terrain in the United States and Mexico. It was also a character portrait of a unique and humble man who befriended a reclusive tribe of natural runners in the wilds of Mexico, then brought the best ultra-runners in the U.S together with the Tarahumara runners in an unprecedented event that became the annual Copper Canyone Ultra. All the while, this man, known as Caballo Blanco for his gringo looks and trail-running affinity, maintained a purity and love for the joy and freedom of running that inspires countless athletes. His sudden death on a trail run in New Mexico in March, while I was still reading the book, brought an urgency and poignancy to his example. My runs since then have been a form of prayer and gratitude for his message, and I repeat his mantra to myself as my feet resist the hard pavement: run free, run in peace. His philosophy taught me that running should be joyful, and if I’m not feeling joy on a run, I am allowed to take a break. And you know what happens when I take a pulse check on my enjoyment? Inevitably, I loosen my stride, take a deeper breath, and my next stride gets easier, and the joy returns. I’m pretty sure Caballo smiles down on me whenever that happens.
Feeling stronger from the barre and yoga, feeling the return of my potential to enjoy running, Week 1 came to a successful close.
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