Years ago when I had a passing interest in alpine climbing (never progressing past passing due to lack of actual alpine) I read the ultimate "how to manual" Mountaineering: Freedom of The Hills. Aside from what to do if a lung is impaled by an ice pick not much information was retained. But that titles - that title struck a soul chord the vibrates still. Every ultra and every trail run that title plays through my being like a song. It's the essence of trail running - freedom of the hills - and it's my race mantra - releasing me from any expectation and obligation other than my own. And even then it frees me from my own demands of ego - true freedom is expressed in a runners smile and not just stride - if I am running with a Buddha smile than I am running free - and that smile is found not by effort but by release alone. Effort is the vehicle that brings us to surrender - the magic happens after - when we're released from every demand save motion. I was blessed to run with that magic yesterday. Truly blessed.
Peace,
Eric
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