Running with the Mind of Meditation Review - Part 4 - Windhorse

The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the leader of Shambhala, a worldwide community of centers to help people enrich their lives either through the Shambhala Buddhist study and training or through hosted courses. He’s written many books and teaches all over the world. He’s now written a book about running and meditation called Running with the Mind of Meditation. This isn’t the first book to combine spiritual elements with athletics endeavors, in this case running; it is the first written by an important worldwide spiritual leader. It’s written with the depth and length of his experience as a spiritual leader, and with many years of running and training including 9 marathon finishes. That combination is what brings the unique flavor of this book.

The book itself is written in six sections: Running with the mind of meditation, Tiger, Lion, Garuda, Dragon, Windhorse. The titles of each section come from the Shambhala tradition and path of warriorship where each section builds on, deepens, and includes previous sections. This review will also be written in several sections to capture the essence of each section and how to enfolds into the next.

Part 1 of this Review is here.
Part 2 of this Review is here.
Part 3 of this Review is here.

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The final section is short with several more anecdotes of Mipham’s running which bring together the rest of the book. I believe this quote provides a good summary: “Through running and meditating, we become better citizens of the world. Our appreciation, discipline, and energy benefit a much wider circle. These qualities are fuel for windhorse, the heart of the final phase of training.” Windhorse brings together the four phases and now engages us to be part of our interconnected and interdependent world.

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Running with the Mind of Meditation is a book which offers its wisdom with every read. You can do back to any chapter any time to rediscover Mipham’s insights and find new meaning in each phase of training. Since most chapters are relatively short, it’s only a few minutes each time you pick up the book and reinspire yourself with Mipham’s words.

Mipham shows his humanity by sharing his experience of running and what it’s meant to him. Even with Mipham’s lineage and deep spiritual training, he shares straightforward, simple, and universal knowledge. Combine the sage advice offered by this book with coaching, other books on running or meditation, and even meditation practice and your running and meditating will blossom with meaning and growth. Both are lifelong activities building depth and character. Don’t forget the consistent themes of the book – balance, gentleness, determination, and progression – they are key to running, meditating, or any other activity you take on. Bring these qualities into your life as Mipham has brought his and you’ll be on a journey worth taking that will overflow into your life!

Thrilled

This weekend I raced the Boulder Distance Classic 15k. Initially this wasn’t on my race plans for the years, but I heard about it two weeks ago and thought it would be fun. I had decided to switch my 50k the first weekend of May to a 25k after feeling like I wasn’t quite ready. After hearing about the 15k, I thought that would be a perfect pre-race race – run a hard run the week before a taper!

The Boulder Distance Classic is a new (2 year old), small event – and I really liked it! Nice t-shirts, easy registration, plenty of food afterwards, and fairly inexpensive. Saturday morning turned out to be awesome for running – about 45 degrees at the start, the sun was shining bright and no clouds. The wind was blowing all over and it probably affected the race somewhat, still it didn’t bother me. I’d had a good week of mix of rest and running and felt good.

For this race I wasn’t sure what to expect for pacing since I hadn’t raced since February – a half marathon – with no speedwork in between. My hope was to hold the same pace I held for the half marathon which was about 7:15/mile. This race was going to be a good gauge of what I’m at.

So, first the numbers and stats: 19^th place overall, 15^th place among men, 3^rd place in my age group (40-44). 6:10 first mile, 12:30 for two miles, 19:40 for 5k, 40:40 for 10k, 1 hour at 9.15 miles, finish at 1:01.50. Three watches at the finish had the course closer to 9.5 miles than 9.3. I finished with a 6:32/mile average pace, which would be a 1:00.40 15k. That’s a lifetime PR for the 15k and a 40+ PR for the 10k and 5k (best time over age 40). Wow! The race went much better than I had hoped!

As I thought about the numbers, I remembered something my friend Marty had talked about with races. That is, past the numbers, what he really wanted to know was “how did the run feel? How do I feel? Did I have fun and enjoy myself?” Well Marty – absolutely I was happy with the numbers, but thrilled with the race. I’m going to enjoy those PRs, who knows how many are left. And I just had fun pushing my body. The race is past already, even as I write this. I’ll enjoy it for another day or two. Then the next run will be here and that will be fun too! Thanks Marty for being the voice in my head reminding me of what’s really important.

So here’s a race report to finish this off …

The first mile was fast – a loop around the Boulder Reservoir parking lot and then heading towards the dam, including a slight rise. After seeing the first mile I thought I was in trouble – that’s a fast pace even for me. I just keep going with the pace (not sure about the intelligence or lack of intelligence at this point), so the first two miles was still fast, partly because of a good tailwind. Still concerned at this point and yet feeling good, I kept going since I generally trust my body to find a good rhythm.

Around mile 2 ½ I started to notice my breathing a lot – I was pushing it. It was all in my chest – legs felt great and forms felt good. For a bit I had recollections of a 5k last summer where I blew up after about 2 miles. I slowed just a little to settle in. At this point we entered the uphill grade following a water ditch with the water going the other way. I definitely need to push a little harder, but couldn’t tell how much with such a slight grade. Even through mile 4 I was feeling the effort and the discomfort still.

I mentioned the wind earlier. It didn’t seem to have a consistent direction. Every time we changed direction, I used the wind to help find my new pace. I never let it be a nuisance, just a guide on what was needed.

At this point we turned off the ditch to do an out-and-back on a road to make the distance. The out was a slight downhill with a tailwind so I ‘rested’ a little with some long strides. It wasn’t long after I turned onto the road that the leader was coming back which surprised me. I thought he would have been on the ditch again already. So I started counting – I was somewhere past the 15^th male. That was a shocker! Then the turn around and back to the ditch. Just before turning onto the ditch again I suddenly felt another energy – like another cylinder started to fire, or I had another gear, but suddenly I felt pretty good. Maybe it was past halfway, maybe it was knowing my place, I don’t know. I remember a similar feeling around mile 5 on the half marathon in February. My pace was still under 6:30/mile and only just past halfway – this was new territory for me so I didn’t want to push too hard, but I started to open up a little.

The end of the water ditch was the farther point north – time to head back south. As we headed south, I passed a large group on a training run. I was wishing them all well inside my head – no breath to spare here. The 10k went by at 40:40 – another surprise – that’s a minute and a half faster than a 10k a did last summer at the reservoir. Still 5k to go – well at more than 5k since my watch was never quite in sync with the mile markers. Around this time I could also hear breathing and footsteps behind me – two I think – and I was slowly catching someone. We had a good little pack to push each other.

I just kept flying along and feeling good. That extra gear was still running strong. Every once in a while I’d push it just a little to see what else I had, but I was at the limit. With a mile to go, the guy behind me came alongside and started to pass. Then we hit the little rise coming off the dam and back onto the road. At last year’s 10k this about did me in, not this time, I put in a burst with short steps and was through it easily and back in front of my chaser. Now just a half mile to go and a  nice little downhill to finish it off!

I can’t say I noticed much on the course, I was paying attention internally to my body – legs, breathing, arms. Keeping a good rhythm in the effort.

Running Downhill - Fast!

In a previous about Jerry Lynch, I briefly described a day about 6 months ago when I followed Jerry and several others downhill from Green Mountain in Boulder. As I talked with Jerry about that day as we celebrated his birthday I was reminded of what a unique and remarkable run that was.

For that run, about 15 of us started at the Red Lion restaurant in Boulder Canyon and headed up to the top of Green Mountain. It was a tough uphill run with the awesome reward of standing on top of Green Mountain on a beautiful fall day overlooking Boulder Valley and farther east. As they say what goes up must come down, and from where we were it was almost all down back to the start. I was having a good run uphill mostly able to keep up with Jerry and a few others. Feeling good I thought I’d try to continue that on the way down. Little did I know what I was in for!

Jerry, his son, and two women started down from Green with me behind them. I had only ever run with Jerry before, and only knew the strength of the other three from the run up. It turns out all of them are fantastic descenders as well. The first part was fairly steep and rocky and I managed to hang on to the back of the foursome. From there the trail continues as single track with a significant pitch downhill, plenty of rocks and roots to watch out for, and switchbacks thrown in to mix it all up. The other four were suddenly bombing downhill! I was actually astonished – how could they run so fast downhill. Still I was determined to keep up so I set about putting myself in learning mode, and making it quick.

They say the quickest way to learn how to descend on a bike is to follow someone downhill who is an excellent descender. I’ve heard the same for skiing. And I was going to experience this directly on a run without really even realizing what I was doing. I quickly learned long strides don’t work – too much effort on the quads, too hard to get adjust quickly as the terrain changes. So it was quick, short strides – and keeping my legs underneath my hips so there was plenty of balance. I also learned to stay loose. It’s also helpful to lean into the hill, like skiing, though quite the opposite of what we might normally think of. With the speed and terrain, you have to be able to respond and react quickly.

If I was going to keep up I had to put these new ideas into play quickly. Even as I did so, it was a challenge to keep up. I clearly remember being totally present and aware of what I was doing, if I wasn’t it was going to be a hard, uncomfortable landing somewhere. I also clearly remember having fun – I’d never run so fast downhill before! What stood out most though was feeling the edge. Even doing something I’d never done before, learning along the way, I didn’t feel like I was near an edge of what I could possibly do. It was more than I had ever done before, and still completely manageable.  

So it was, I kept up the entire way down – and what a blast! My legs were sore after that and it was all worth it to discover a new depth of what’s possible and to learn how to run downhill fast. I really liked what Jerry said though – “You kept up all the way, blasting all the way down, out of your mind and when it was all finished I saw in your face the grin of a 7 year old boy who had just been given his first new shiny red bike.” That was indeed it.

Thanks Jerry, Brennan, and the other two (sorry names escape me 6 months later) for a spectacular run!

Running with the Mind of Meditation Review - Part 3 - Garuda and Dragon

The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the leader of Shambhala, a worldwide community of centers to help people enrich their lives either through the Shambhala Buddhist study and training or through hosted courses. He’s written many books and teaches all over the world. He’s now written a book about running and meditation called Running with the Mind of Meditation. This isn’t the first book to combine spiritual elements with athletics endeavors, in this case running; it is the first written by an important worldwide spiritual leader. It’s written with the depth and length of his experience as a spiritual leader, and with many years of running and training including 9 marathon finishes. That combination is what brings the unique flavor of this book.

The book itself is written in six sections: Running with the mind of meditation, Tiger, Lion, Garuda, Dragon, Windhorse. The titles of each section come from the Shambhala tradition and path of warriorship where each section builds on, deepens, and includes previous sections. This review will also be written in several sections to capture the essence of each section and how to enfolds into the next.

Part 1 of this Review is here.
Part 2 of this Review is here.

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The garuda is a mythical eagle-like bird that when hatched is instantly able to fly and observe everything and is representative of the third phase. Mipham calls this phase the outrageous phase. Outrageous in an awesome sense not a reckless sense. Outrageous in that it’s time to stretch ourselves surpassing previous limits, and within that remaining grounded in the mindfulness and awareness attained through the lion and tiger phases.

Mipham describes this outrageousness in several ways. One is simply to be spontaneous within your already familiar environments, maybe do some sprints, or run on the other side of the street. It’s also about reawakening to the freshness and all the stimuli on a normal run. Another way is to try something more than you’ve done before. In the case of running this could be challenging yourself to run farther or faster than you’ve run before, or with meditation to perhaps try a whole day or meditation or even several days. A third way is to simply do something new, like trail running or more hills, or a new set of roads altogether.

Within this newness and freshness there is still the attention to mindfulness and detail and the panoramic awareness and appreciation of the environment learned in earlier phases. Now it goes deeper with more understanding of ourselves and the way our mind works. We observe a clear mind, completely present during runs and meditation which notices everything, but isn’t distracted by anything. As Mipham describes, “Our attention rests on the experience of the mind being fully present, cognizant, and aware.” These changes bring about more balance and freedom in our runs, our meditation, and our minds. “Maintaining a balanced, meditative space on our run, we are able to relax and make and accurate assessment of what we’re doing. That is the practice of the garuda.”

This phase seems like a crossroads of so many ideas and foundations bringing forth a greater profoundness in our running and meditation, and because of this depth it seems more conceptual and harder to describe. What I like in this section is that Mipham offers more of his own personal experiences of the garuda phase sharing experiences of some of his runs revealing this new way of being. With the basis of the lion and tiger phases, the garuda phase seems outrageous in the new fulfillment of fun, peace, depth, balance, and freedom.

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The dragon phase truly represents a unique phase where our personal mystery and experience thus far meets that of the world. Mipham’s words within this section are profound and truly anything I write wouldn’t do it justice. I’ll offer a few quotes from Mipham with the hope that they offer a glimpse of what’s there and motivation to read the book for yourself to discover the meaning for you.

“Running and meditation both have a secretive and mysterious quality that is beyond words. The dragon embodies this feeling of deep purpose – beyond expression and only to be experienced.”

“Dragon represents wisdom, intelligence, foresight, and omniscience. In the dragon phase of our running, we are basing our activity on intelligence and compassion. We are no longer running for ourselves, but to benefit others. Extending ourselves, we join with others to run for a charity or a cause, like world peace.”

“The dragon phase is where our true magnanimity of our being begins to truly shine.”

Running with the Mind of Meditation Review - Part 2 - Tiger and Lion

The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the leader of Shambhala, a worldwide community of centers to help people enrich their lives either through the Shambhala Buddhist study and training or through hosted courses. He’s written many books and teaches all over the world. He’s now written a book about running and meditation called Running with the Mind of Meditation. This isn’t the first book to combine spiritual elements with athletics endeavors, in this case running; it is the first written by an important worldwide spiritual leader. It’s written with the depth and length of his experience as a spiritual leader, and with many years of running and training including 9 marathon finishes. That combination is what brings the unique flavor of this book.

The book itself is written in six sections: Running with the mind of meditation, Tiger, Lion, Garuda, Dragon, Windhorse. The titles of each section come from the Shambhala tradition and path of warriorship where each section builds on, deepens, and includes previous sections. This review will also be written in several sections to capture the -----essence of each section and how to enfolds into the next.

Part 1 of this Review is here.

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The Tiger dignity of the Shambhala tradition is about establishing a foundation, or in running terms, buliding a base. Mipham describes the primary principle of the Tiger foundation as mindfulness. This is about paying attention to your mind, your body, and how you practice. Since there is discipline involved as a Tiger, Mipham ascribes the slogan "Friendly to yourself" as part of this phase.

Mipham then devotes several chapters to important aspects of mindfulness noting that attention should be brought to posture, feelings, thoughts, and attitudes. Just as with running, being mindful is like exercise the muscle of the mind so that it progressively gets stronger. Each piece needs some consideration.

Of course with this mindfulness and focus, Mipham is very encouraging with all the benefits that will come forth with this practice. More vitality, focus confidence, better posture, fuller breath, healthier body, empowerment, confidence, and more.

The emphasis of the chapter Running with Realities is to start slow, and with an appropriate pace for each one of us, to be consistent incorporating the practice of running and meditation part of a daily routine. Breaking the long-term goals into manageable chunks is important to stay present. Throughout this phase, this is constant learning and finding the new balance of growth without pressing too far. As with the rest of the book, Mipham reminds us to be gentle with ourselves, or "to be gentle is to encourage ourselves."

The Tiger phase is a journey of discovery and growth. This is where the foundation is built to enable each of us to move towards Lion.

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Mipham starts the Lion section with this, "One day quite naturally and nonchalantly, I found myself slipping on my running shoes and running out the door with ease and pleasure." This is the heart of the Lion dignity, to be joyful in your running, to enjoy the ease you've created, and to celebrate what you've accomplished thus far.

The Lion doesn't forget all that was learned as a Tiger, mindfulness, discipline, and awareness are still important. Now the awareness expands, both internally and externally.

Externally, Mipham calls this expanded awareness 'panoramic awareness'. In this phase, we are taking in more of the external world. Noticing more flowers, shadows, smells, anything and everything. Through this panoramic awareness, we are taking in and connecting to our surroundings, and all at once finding ourselves in a stronger, more intimate relationship with the world.

Internally is a knowing of our basic healthiness that's always there. We might have an injury, or have a tough run, and still that healthiness is present and will return. This connection within ourselves helps us to relate to pain of any kind (physical or mental), happiness, and sadness in new ways. We are no longer swayed or so attached to any of it. The experience is still there, but the disciplined and focused mind stays present and uses the opportunity to grow and mature.

With the intrinsic joy of being in this phase, our approach to the world changes. We can 'check our ago at the door' as Mipham says and enjoy our growing confidence, strength, and broadened awareness.

Running with the Mind of Meditation Review - Part 1 - Beginnings

The Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche is the leader of Shambhala, a worldwide community of centers to help people enrich their lives either through the Shambhala Buddhist study and training or through hosted courses. He’s written many books and teaches all over the world. He’s now written a book about running and meditation called Running with the Mind of Meditation. This isn’t the first book to combine spiritual elements with athletics endeavors, in this case running; it is the first written by an important worldwide spiritual leader. It’s written with the depth and length of his experience as a spiritual leader, and with many years of running and training including 9 marathon finishes. That combination is what brings the unique flavor of this book.

The book itself is written in six sections: Running with the mind of meditation, Tiger, Lion, Garuda, Dragon, Windhorse. The titles of each section come from the Shambhala tradition and path of warriorship where each section builds on, deepens, and includes previous sections. This review will also be written in several sections to capture the essence of each section and how to enfolds into the next.

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For those that have been running for a while, especially long runs, the connection between running and a focused mind is a natural. We may not even think of it until asked, but once asked, the answer is obvious. That’s where the book starts – with the recognition that running and meditation have many similarities, and obvious differences as well, and that they have an inherent complimentary nature.

The start of the book also brings forth Mipham’s humility and humanness. Here is a man who has been an athlete all his life with extensive training in several sports, and still acknowledges that his first 10k run around the Boulder Reservoir has him wondering if he’ll make it around the loop. The acknowledgment of this lack of experience is also where most people start, Mipham is no exception. So the first step is building a base, both for running and for meditation which is the primary focus of this first section.

It’s at this early point in the book that the title really starts to take on meaning. By bringing the mind of meditation to running, Mipham is referring to bringing the strength, awareness, and focus of the mind developed through the practice of meditation to the practice of running. He gives a short introduction to meditation and how important breath is, especially when starting; the breath being one of the first connections between running and meditation. He offers a kind reminder that for both running and meditation, the beginning is often the hardest and most challenging. The beginning is the time that brings the most challenge and requires the most discipline to get going, to engage in a steep learning curve at the start, and to find the balance of finding the edge without overdoing it. Clearly this message is coming from his own personal experience and certainly common to anyone, and still a powerful reminder.

While most of the material here is basic, there is one point Mipham makes that seems significant and in some ways sets the tone for the rest of the book, and one of the primary reasons to put effort into a meditation practice. 

“The mental clarity brought about by physical exercise is temporary. When the horse has more energy, it resumes running around. Then we have to go for another run, exhausting the mind again. Using running as a way to train the mind is incidental, whereas the peace and clarity that come from meditation are cumulative … generally the body’s benefit through exercise are temporary, while meditation allows for a cumulative benefit to occur.”

Anyone who runs knows the fitness achieved is temporary, and even fleeting. Stop running for a few weeks and suddenly we feel like we’ve stepped backwards. The muscle memory isn’t gone, but the actual bodily fitness has diminished. Whereas while not meditating for a few weeks is not ideal, the change is rarely as significant. He furthers this by offering ways in which a basic meditation can be expanded itself and into other areas of life.

It’s at this point the book starts to deepen with discussions of motivations – that is why we run and how those motivations can expand from something basic like better to health, to moving on to a clearer mind, and beyond that to serving others. This is also where Mipham describes the “four dignities” of the Shambhala training which are Tiger, Lion, Garuda, an Dragon. While they are specific to the Shambhala tradition, don’t be intimidated as it allows a framework of progression for both running and meditation.

Some of the main themes of the book are immediately present in these first chapters – balance, gentleness, determination, progression. They are all significant for running and for meditation.

Tiger is next ...

Thanks to Michael Sandrock for encouraging me to write a review and post it.

Freedom - a poem

Freedom

Tantalizing, trepidatious
I move one foot in front of the other.
I am a runner.
There is no greater joy in the three worlds.
When lightning strikes the earth
That is the cosmic step taking place,
When my heart and lungs are placed in my hands.
Life in dependent on breathing and feeling.
What electricity comes forth
In the sweat I feel in my mouth,
Inspiration that allows me to transverse
Disbelief, laziness, daydreaming.
When I breathe, all of those windfalls
Pass by as billowing clouds,
Seen by a boat set sail across the waters of confusion, summer, and time.

Within this temporal journey details are important.
I taste the sweet smell of water with its eight qualities.
I respect the gifts for my human body.
I revel in having time and space to run among the gods.
When I run I become one of those gods with no bounds,
Only pure joy is my water bottle.
I am sustained with the ultimate elixir, my goo-ru.
That vital inpsiration sends me across this entire planet
With the pitter-patter of drawl feet.

What bhumi can I not reach?
Place my feet on the path, ripples affect the universe.
Therefore when I breathe,
I inhale all that is confused, degenerated, and unhappy.
When I exhale, my knees strike high,
My Achilles is powerful, free from vulnerability.
Thus with the energy of surprise
I leap into this new dimension, which can onlybe seen
By the rapid movement of heart, feet, and mind.
May this incredible experience of movement
Be the source of all happiness.

Singapore 3/14/2005
Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche

This one's for Jerry

Jerry Lynch is a well-known author on sports psychology having written probably several books over the past 15 years. He’s taken all the wisdom and applied to collegiate and professional athletes all over the U.S. If you want to know more about Jerry, check out his website The Way of Champions.

I know Jerry from running. He’s part of a group I started running with last September. He’s always in great spirits and I always seemed to have a hard time keeping up. The last run I did with Jerry was last October. The group started from the Red Lion Inn in Boulder Canyon, went up to the top of Green Mountain and back down. It was a beautiful fall day, everyone in shorts and great spirits. The uphill was tough. The downhill was a trip as I did my best to keep up with Jerry son’s Brandon, two fast female runners – and Jerry. They all looked like they were just floating down the mountain and it was all I could do to keep up.

A few days ago I saw Jerry again for the first time since then at a surprise birthday party for his 70 years on this planet. He spends his winters elsewhere. I learned that run up Green Mountain was the last time he ran. He’s been injured ever since. Before leaving Boulder he ran and ran and ran – getting his fill before he left. While it sounded fun by Jerry’s account, it was too much.

Jerry is a long-time runner – I think I’ve heard well past 30 years of running. This was the longest stretch he’s ever gone without running. What was remarkable in talking with him was how calm and peaceful he was. You could tell he missed running and was thoroughly excited about running to Boulder again several weeks from now and starting to run again.

Later I commented to Jerry about what I experienced in an email. He confessed it hadn’t been as easy as it seemed. He’d gone through the same thing every athlete does who experiences an injury does – bits of frustration, anger, depression. In the end ‘peaceful acceptance’ as Jerry put it is where he’s at mixed with the knowledge of all the blessings life has bestowed upon him.

Jerry is surely hero material here, someone to admire for the way they live. To be a human athlete and go through struggle speaks to his groundedness and humanity. To be a recipient of his own wisdom and live it with grace is remarkable. To know running is only one part of his life speaks to his completeness. To continually offer wisdom into the world is priceless. To live with the gratitude he has for what life has given him is beautiful.

Here’s to you Jerry …

Surprise

I heard it last night – drops of moisture
as I dozed off to REM land.

On waking, my legs ached to moved

time for a run.

Temperature – colder than it’s been

hat and gloves, not worn in weeks.

Opening the door, standing at the threshold

moisture falls from the sky.

Hesitation, doubt, questioning

do I want to go out there?

A step into it

not rain, not snow, dry and fresh.

A quick change

something to deal with damp.

Off I go

with my warmup steps.

Whitish grey clouds redefine the horizon

a smaller bubble of a world today.

White specks falling, blowing

not rain, not quite snow, beautiful.

Legs gliding, lungs offering its own mist

arms in a rhythm, feet gracing the earth.

An internal peace, a playful smile

gratitude flows, a deep stillness pervades.

Back home, watch stopped

the end of another striking run.

What a way to begin a new day.

Old running shoes

What to do with old running shoes?

http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_20307978/what-do-old-running-shoes

While Boulder will recycle them, there are plenty of organizations that will accept old running shoes as donations and then distribute them around the world where they are needed. In Boulder, One World Running is one of those organizations. You can donate at Fleet Feet or Boulder Running Company here in Boulder and there are dozens of running shops throughout the US which also accept shoes for One World Running.

Your shoes have served you well while on your feet tredding trails and streets - give them a new life somewhere else!

Micah True

We are the messengers, fueled by the message we carry. When the message is of truth, peace, beauty and love, we will always have the strength to find our way home, on this, our beautiful Mother Earth".
~Micah True

True recently passed away on a run near Gila, New Mexico. He was a beloved and respected member of the ultrarunning community. He will surely be missed.

A quiet week

It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, my hometown. Oops - wrong channel.

It's been a couple of quiet weeks in Boulder, my hometown. Let me see if I channel a little Garrison Keillor.

The snow is long gone in Boulder after a record month of warm temperatures and almost no rain. Even the mountains are losing their snow. It's not melting, it's evaporating, the streams are mostly dry already. We all hope and even expect a few more snowstorms to come through, but for now we'll enjoy this amazing spring.
Boulderites are embracing spring already. Runners out in shorts. It seems like opening day has happened up Lefthand Canyon with all the cyclists testing their legs on this popular ride. Pearl Street was especially youthful with students on spring break roaming the walking mall.

The trees and flowers are noticing too. There's already flowers blooming in my yard and up and down the block. Neighbors are out doing yardwork already. Trees are full bloom with incredible arrays of flowers, colors, and scents. Yards are starting to turn green, I've already seen a few sprinklers. The Gunbarrel Open Space and foothills are starting to show their green as well.

How do I know? I've been out running and up in the mountains. Not as much running as I'd like, but I'm getting out a couple times a week. They haven't all been specatular runs, nor have they all had great flow, rhythm, or speed. But they were runs. With fewer runs the time to be in that state seemed a little more precious and joyous from the inside, despite the outer looks.

I'm grateful for a body that's so capable - and so wise. I just have to listen. I'm glad spring is here and I can run in shorts again. I'm enjoying the rest and sitting on my west-facing deck taking in the splendor of the Rockies. I'm reminded to stay humble.

Spring has sprung, at least it has here in Boulder.

That's the news from Boulder. Where all the ... you know the rest.