The Way #60 - (And Ultra Running)

With no boundaries...all things
pass -
Un-opposed
Through the spacious nature of
the mind.

 

~

 

Ultra running is the act of finding boundaries and then through a lessening of self and will - becoming boundless. All things have borders and even as infinite energy gathers to their creation they must confine themselves to this existence. Otherwise they become something else - something more. For a tree to continue being a tree it must meet the energetic qualifications of "treeness". And so goes the boundaries of being a tree. Self and will are wonderful tools to push is to the every edge of boundaries - and there - like all things we are met by limitations. In letting go of self we give up all notions of who and what we are - there are no borders to contain us - indeed we will now surrender our "selfness" for a state of selfless motion that continues through all obstacles. Nothing can hold spirit. There is no need for will now - we are beyond the scope of this tool and it has served a noble purpose. It's now time to run pure with spirit.


Thoughts on 100

Less then seven weeks to my first 100 mile race - a mile stone for me at age 48. At this point I know I can do it and I'm not sure I can do it - a lot can go wrong in a 100 miles. Of course a lot can go right too and that is what I'm planning on. Right now the key is holding the mind steady on the outcome I wish for - and backing that up with training, diet and recovery. Diet is a funny thing - I'm careful in my everyday meal planning and yet seem to let my nutritional needs evaporate during my long races. This I can't afford. My plan now is to rely on Dates, some gels, what I can find at aid stations and have my friend who's crewing me bring me vegan broth, miso soup and possibly some vegan sandwiches made special for the day. So I'm just airing out some possibilities now - seeing them on the screen and sharing them for some feedback and opinions. For those who read this - thanks!

Peace,
Eric

Running

 

 

Running is a sacred act - it's giving ourselves to motion while a stillness grows within -two opposing forces that co-incide in a holy union. It's not that one force overcomes another - motion doesn't gain to the loss of stillness yet gives itself wholly to become even more in its caress against the stilled center of our being. It's a whisper in a quiet room - born from silence to a given meaning and again to silence in it's passing - yet the meaning lives on. We are at once the stillness within and the force that moves through all things. We are the whisper and the quiet room. We are the meaning. And something more - we are runners given to a sacred act.

Fabric

The desire of
a touch -
is to simply lose
itself

in the fabric of your skin.

I brush your cheek,

And
fall

Lost within a touch.

 ~
It's holy contact - a moment so steeped in the
 silent language of love that it may only be
expressed in a touch or gesture
Such moments are rare...yet not because they                            
 come so seldom - but that they are forgotten so
quickly and again we caught in the
ordinary world.

Magic is fleeting only for those who forget. It's a new day...a new moment...remember.



Today

Spring - technically not yet - but it sure felt like it this morning. A beautiful time to run. The air is still crisp with a tender bite to it and yet there is no need to add bundles of layers to keep warm. It's the type of morning to make a runner feel free. And for over 10 miles this morning I did - I ran free, I ran strong and I ran without care of thoughts or burdens. Winter may come back and the summer heat is not too far. Today was perfect.

Peace,
Eric

Last Post on Simplicity of Diet (For Now)

One last post on simplicity and diet (I think) - and here's the most important point: don't sweat it. As Running Raw guru Tim Van Orden likes to say - aim for the bulls eye, with luck and some proper planning you'll hit it or come near most every time. If not, chances are you'll still hit the target. And that's doing pretty well. If all there's time for is a vegan micro wave dish - then go for it. It's not the best option but it is an option and a better one then ANY fast food place. Just don't punish yourself over what you ate or what you feel you should have ate. It's just a meal. Next one will be better.

Peace,
Eric

Simplify - Again

We don't live in a complicated world - but we do lead complicated lives. Some things in life we should just allow to be - such as diet - which I wrote of on yesterday's blog. Re-reading the blog I wanted to stress two issues: Just eat food. Real food. And just as importantly - relax. Eating out, dinning with friends, trying a new recipe or dish is no reason to be of any great concern. It's one meal -it won't break us. Especially when we are mindful of what we consume and make conscious, cruelty free choices. A piece of vegan "cheese" cake is not something to become stressed over - nor is it something to make a habit of. It's a desert. Simple as that.


Peace,
Eric