Runner Smile/Buddha Smile

I  think that of all the traits developed through meditation - equanimity may prove most useful not only navigating through life but on the trails for ultrarunners as well. Running long distance certainly trains our minds and bodies to handle suffering - but to handle it with grace is a sign of a runner who has learned to empty themselves of the need to balance pain and pleasure. These runners have found the deeper joy of equanimity - they know that both pleasure and pain are fleeting and literally take both in stride. Their true joy is the journey and each step is a journey begun and completed within itself - no more and no less - one step is simply enough and it's this repeated moment to moment, mindful connection to their body and surroundings that get them to the trails end. There are hard miles to reach this lesson and there are means of achieving this through mindful running - the simple path is to let go of demands called forth by the ego - spirit always urges letting go, a surrender to what is present now and not what we may wish for instead. Ego may wish for faster times, a steadier stomach, fresher legs - and all these may be nice to have in a race of any distance - but they're not guaranteed in an ultra. Or in life. Equanimity means accepting the conditions we are faced with now, working with them and at the same time knowing that this too shall pass - our legs may come back and our stomachs may settle - either way the runner runs (or walks if they have to) and all the while-  beneath the passing state of all conditions - they keep their Buddha smiles.