Resentment

Resentment is the major roadblock to peace of mind. That means any resentment. A course In Miracles teaches that not only are there no justified resentments but that there are no differences in the size or importance to our resentments either. God doesn't care about our resentments. Our peace of mind is independent of who did what to us - it's only interested in our response. And there's only one response that satisfies the spirit and that's forgiveness. Forgiveness is the letting go of resentment - it's the recognition that only the ego can be wounded and as spiritual beings we are forever unharmed. Our response to resentment hinges on which we we turn - inward to spirit or outward towards ego. Our short and long term peace of mind hinges on this as well. It always serves me to remember that resentment keeps an issue alive between me and another (even if that person doesn't participate) and forgiveness turns the issue complete over to the hands of God (in the language of The Course  - Holy Spirit) and I too am no longer a participant in any issue that demands an ego response. It's a useful reminder and one I practice daily.

Peace,
Eric

Sway

So much unnoticed - as if our eyes were meant to
view the world but not the secrets of its
gifts.
Yet grace appears in the faith beyond
our senses...it's the sway of leaves
dancing in an unseen breeze.

There's a holy breeze constant in its giving...close your
eyes and sway

 

 

~

One of the joys distance running, long miles on trails and through unpopulated land - is that it takes a runner beyond. A runner's steps trace a map that leads inwards and each mile delves to deeper terrain. Ancient runners searched for magic with their steps - a vision quest of motion. We are an ancient breed too - runners in modern garb and tribal hearts. We search for magic, a wish to step beyond and every mile is the promise to endure. And we do.


CAT 2013

Catoctin 50k - CAT. It's the 50k of the year and maybe even the race of the year. Last years training was devoted (for the most part) solely for CAT. This year it's been more about an attempt at the 100 mile distance and I have one more attempt to go - Mohican 100 Mile Endurance Run on June 15th. After that  it's all about getting ready for CAT. And that means hill work, strength work and speed training. I don't want to be out there all day! The speed work did seem to pay off last year in a faster race and more resiliency. I didn't overly focus on hills (I certainly didn't neglect them though) and this year will have more hill focus and also spending a bit more time on rockier trails to help prepare the feet for what's to come. CAT is its own special beast and needs to be approached that way for success beyond a simple finish. I would love a sub 8 hour finish at CAT and it was in the cards last year until stomach issues derailed me for a 8:04 finish. I'll go for it again this year - it's always fun to try!


Peace,
Eric

Subjectively Happy - Why Run A Ultra If You're Not Going To Finish?

There are many reasons to run a 100 mile ultra - and finishing is certainly a priority to most and being that's it is a race that may be as it should. Yet not every race is going to be a finish and not every start is meant to be raced. It's an individual event and experience and it belongs to no one other then the runner. Toeing the line at Mohican in (less then) two weeks I am not sure a finish is in the cards. I just don't know - and I'm not that pressed about it. I do know that a lot of miles on a new and exciting trail are the order for the day. I'll try out some new fuel, make some new friends and push myself for as far and and as long as I am happily able (with happy be a very subjective experience) There will be other races where I am in a place - body, mind, spirit - where I feel the need to push myself farther to the limit. This isn't the one - this is my subjectively happy race. And who knows - it might just get me to the finish.

Peace,
Eric

Post Race/Pre Race

Resting up and setting my sights on the Mohican 100 Mile Endurance Run - admittedly it's a long shot but the finish isn't the objective - the run, the trails and the experience are. I'm ready for that and I'm ready for a long day (literally) in the woods. So often - and too often - we (maybe just me?) lose track of why we're out there running these races. A finish is nice and it's what we strive for and train for - but it's the experience itself, the wild places we run - that keep us cming back for me.
I'l keep that in mind in the next few weeks.
It's important.

Peace,
Eric  

Race Review - North Face Endurance Challenge 50k 2013

Saturday June 1st was my 4th running of the North Face Endurance Challenge. My first year was the 50 miler and it's been 50k ever since. I love the course but three times around the Great Falls area is a little too much of the same for me. It's a beautiful trail though and makes for a great 50k. Some of the out and back sections can be a bit mind dumbing but once you get to the falls you forget about everything but the view! It's a very runnable course too - with rolling hills and long sections of single track. As always the volunteers were awesome - North Face is of course a major outdoor retailer and they have the time and money to put on a spectacular event and it shows in the details of the aid stations. Everything a thirsty, hungry, tired runner could need - except in one section. There is a dreaded stretch of miles (7.6 this year) with no aid and no water and this year was especially brutal with unexpected heat in the 90s. Plenty of people dropped due to this section and I really can't blame them. Several became severely ill with trips to the hospital as a result. I was told this stretch is private property and they are not allowed to have aid here - but a solution is really needed as I'm afraid something deadly serious will happened here one year. The course runs long at 32.64 - and it was tough this year. Again the heat took a toll. Last year was a mud fest making for difficult running and I was still an hour faster than I was this year. It made for a challenging day and if I wasn't ready for heat racing before this event I am now.
Once again I had my pose down with Dean - and once again Dean edged me out. The man appears to be carved from stone. He's the reason my ultra training contains bicep work. One year though....

So this leaves me with two weeks to recover for the Mohican 100 and whatever that day brings. I've blogged my goals for this race before but once more I'll just say that I have no expectations for the race other than to run for as long, as far and as happy as I am able. After that it's a crap shoot.

Oh, pinole. I liked it. During the long stretch without water I felt unable to consume anything - so I didn't even bother. Yet after I refuel at the second to last aid station I was able to take off and run steady at a better pace than almost any other time of the race. I do credit this to the "clear burning" calories of the pinole - it's substantial, sustainable energy that's easy on the stomach. I felt that it kept me well fueled between aid stations and allowed me to skip the junk and concentrate on fruit and potatoes once I reach them. Definitely a keeper for the next race.

Thanks for reading!

Peace,
Eric

Brief Update

Another successful run of the North Face Endurance Run - but it wasn't easy. Brutal heat and lack of water in many places made it a tough day out there. I'll post more tomorrow but wanted to touch base. A little worried that the effort may have compromised my recovery for the Mohican 100 but if I take it easy and don't set my heart on the 100 but just be happy with miles covered I should be alright. Thanks for reading.

Eric