The Driving Spirit

About a year ago, I decided to move to the small town where I was working. The first house they showed me was on the cross country course for a private academy. My jaw dropped open and I was immediately sold. Where else would a runner live but on the cross country course?

Yesterday I was treated with watching a cross country meet from my back porch. Here is the most interesting thing about it. It was completely sunny and warm, 85. There were about 100 boys and girls total; but the girls ran first and then the boys. Everyone in school track outfits. I saw this same thing in both the girls and the boys. You see, there might have been one or two gifted athletes in these groups, but mostly kids struggling the finish. Especially the boys (I don't know if they ran two races or it was a very long race), but the field was very strung out and they were running for almost an hour. There were a number of what looked like ninth graders. Young wimpy boys that had to push up their glasses every five steps.

I know how those boys were feeling; struggling along a mile behind the leaders, wondering why they got involved with such a sport. Yet they kept going and finished the race.
It didn't really matter who won, but you could see the human spirit at work causing someone to do their best, no matter how “the world” handed out awards or judged performances. I was emotionally touched and almost cried. I know that the same spirit resides in me. IT IS THE SAME SPIRIT. We all have it. I became one with every human being this way.

I am 47. I am going in the Kansas City Marathon on October 7. The last time I ran a marathon I was 35. I vowed never to do that again. BUT: I am in better shape now than I was at 35. I know because I have already been on two 20+ mile training runs. I attribute this to raw foods, spirulina/chorella and alchemy (and Mizuno Wave Creation 7s).

Get rid of the cooked foods, processed foods, toxic additives, soy and dairy.

Love,
Spirit Flower

Re: The Driving Spirit

I keep marveling at this thing inside me that drives me. It keeps dreaming of more miles and Ultra marathons. Is it an overblown ego? Or is it my true self saying, “Yes, lets go do it.”

Suprabha Beckford said, “Something inside my soul just loves it, It's like running on love.”

Sri Chinmoy said, “The spiritual life is a marathon, an inner marathon which never ends.”

I so thirst for this inner thing. I love running. People think I am disciplined; but I am driven. Discipline has nothing to do with it. Its like running is what is real; the rest is illusion. When I am running, it can be a drag, especially after 20 miles. But, an hour later, I want to go again. I am mad, crazy, insane. I guess this is love and Spirit.

I am unleashing my inner being.

Re: The Driving Spirit

[feel free to substitute your sport for “running”]

The people who jog for exercise are like the people who go to church on Sunday. Both have missed the point of Spirit. The Runner and The Contemplative are the same. Both are fostering and living Divine Being, Spirit. 3 miles or 10 miles are merely mortal runs; achievable on fancied self sufficiency. After 20 miles, you begin to wonder how and why is that possible. You wonder who or what is the “Something” inside you that drives you to the extremes. Winning wasn't the motivation. I already have a stack of age group awards. I am not going to win any recognition in a marathon or an ultra. Winning doesn't buy a succession of 60 - 100 mile training weeks. Your selfish self doesn't survive the rain, blisters, blackened toe nails, aloneness, sheer pain; or the friends and family that think you are crazy. In fact, the selfish self is perfectly happy to stay in bed and make excuses; then watch sports on TV and dream of glory while it eats potato chips.

To run past the edge of the pavement, beyond the edge of civilization, on into the night requires “Something.” IT cannot be done alone on self sufficiency. Contemplate “Something.” Explore IT, get to know IT. Live The Divine Being as awareness of the inner drive. Unleash the Spirit, The Athlete, The Lover!!!!!!!!

Re: The Driving Spirit

This Saturday is my first Ultra race. It is 50k, 31 miles. It is to be on a muddy trail, hilly, and below 20f temps.

I admit to being very apprehensive. Why did I sign up for such an ordeal?

I can run 31 miles and I can run 31 miles on hilly gravel roads; but on a muddy trail, I don't know. I have three sets of jackets, shirts, hats and gloves so that every ten miles, my “crew” (a guy named Fred) can dry me out. I have installed hex head machine screws into the bottom of my shoes to help with traction. I prayed for horrible weather so I could chicken out; but the weather looks pretty good.

But, really….I am scared.