A definite lesson from this last series of races is a deep knowing that we are all capable fo so much then we give ourselves credit for. Fatiuge, pain, fear...these are all things that will be expereinced during a race and a race is nothing more than life compressed into a limited time frame - as we expereince these states (and more) and then even pass through them we learn a lesson taught by the Buddha for 2500 years - all things of fleeting. The Buddha himself used the word "Dukkha" which is Pali and has no real English translation but is commonly thought of as suffering, yet tranitory would perhaps be a better term. The Buddha stated that all life is Dukkha because we cling to the transitory nature of things. I know this well as I'm expereincing a transition that is proving to be quite painful - it's the clinging that brings pain and the release that ends suffering. Thats the nature of a Buddha - as well as a successful ultra runner. When it's accpeted that it's okay to hurt, to be tired, to be thirsty and want to quit, and when you know that each of these states will pass and be repleaced a hundred times in the course of a race (and thousands upon in life) then suffering becomes optional and the race beomes - a long day in the woods, and trails or roads and paths. The Buddha knew endurance.
Peace,
Eric
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