Running on the trails gives us all a chance to reconnect with our ancient selves. We were designed as "bi-pedal locamotors", that is, we were born to travel on foot. Many of us have forgotten or lost touch with that side of ourselves as we settle in to the demands we have placed upon ourselves saying, "this is what society expects or forces me to do." There is no doubt that we have become comfortable in our existence. It is no surprise then why only a tenth of 1 percent of all the people of the U.S. will ever experience the uncomfortable nature of training and running a marathon or similar test of endurance. I would argue that they are worse for it. Dr. George Sheehan writes, "Success rests in having the courage and endurance and above all the will to become the person you are, however peculiar that may be. Then you will be able to say, I have found my hero and he is me." We were not meant to sit on the couch. We are part of the natural world and, although most of us feel a disconnect with it, have a place within it's hierarchy. Only by getting out there and experiencing it under our own power can we fully appreciate our place within it. I am not recommending that everyone go out and become a trail runner or ultra marathoner immediately, rather I would suggest that they do what my sisters are doing. Have a goal. Train. Achieve success. Repeat. Get off the couch and get outside. Walk or run, it doesn't matter, either way you will be in the process of getting to know yourself and reconnecting with the world and the way you were designed to move through it.
There is hardly a better place to become acquainted with the ancient self than the Grand Canyon. Last year I was lucky enough to travel across the canyon and back on foot. Running through such a dramatic landscape is surreal. It is as if the Canyon takes on a personality of its own. It can be moody, peaceful, and down right angry. On our journey from the South Rim to the North Rim it rained the entire six hours. From the pre dawn start we could see rain pulling the clouds down into the canyon and the flashes of lightning somewhere below illuminating the darkness in this enormous expanse. The thunder rumbled low and echoed off the steep canyon walls. It's as if you're being warned to stay away and enticed to enter all at the same time. Once in the canyon the rain fell with increasing intensity. Soon steep canyon walls became 100 foot water falls and shallow creek crossings became flash floods trapping many in our group for over an hour. 4000 feet below the south rim the mighty Colorado River roared, brown with mud and debris. A brief rest at Phantom Ranch and we began our ascent up the North Kaibob Trail that would lead us to the North Rim some 6200 feet above.
Half way up the trail we met some hikers in a tunnel seeking refuge from the constant downpour. They were taking days to do what we were doing in just over six hours and out of generosity and sympathy shared their lunches with us. When we reached the north rim at 8200 feet we were water logged and cold. The temperature was in the 30's and most of us were at some stage of hypothermia, but happy to be half way done. We hitched a ride in a pick-up to the Lodge where our shaking hands made eating soup a chore. After a hot shower and rest we would be ready to complete our journey back to the South Rim.
This weekend I chose not to return to the Grand Canyon in order to support my sister's Jill and Lacy as they began their journey to conquer the Disneyland 1/2 marathon. I am very proud of them both and have full confidence that will indeed know success. I can only hope that they continue their training and push themselves out of their comfort zones. I hope that they find the courage, endurance, and will to to become the person they are and are able to say, "I have found my hero and she is me."
Good luck girls. I am proud of you!
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