Playing: Bonobo Radio
So here it all started–I was living in Fountain Hills, Arizona, where the roads are hilly and the trails are endless. On record, I’m crediting my mother for getting me back on my feet after moving out there–she’d go on these daily 2 mile morning walks around the neighborhood, and on one random morning she had asked if I’d like to join. It was, honestly and embarrassingly, the first time in a while I was utilizing my legs. It felt amazing. Next time around, I’m running the 2 miles instead with some old Nike Flyknits I had sitting around for eons. Messed up my ankle after that run, but hell, something clicked in me, like I shouldn’t let this sore ankle stop me. I felt an odd urge to keep running. I so-happened to come across a pair of well-kept Brook Ghosts at the local Goodwill for $20, and I suppose you can say that was the catalyst that fed this addiction. Running had quickly locked me in its grip.
From a 2-mile hilly run around the neighborhood, to 6 miles around the local lake, to becoming the local legend for the Sunrise Peak 6.7 trail run loop, all in a span of a couple months–I was feeding off this new natural high of wanting to be better, getting better, and pushing my limits beyond what they already were. Fair to say I was completely all in. Mind this, I was an utter rookie to this all, learning as I went, with no prior training, and no one to train me. I had gone on one walk with my mother a random morning a couple months back, and told myself “hell with it, I’m just going to keep on doing this running shit.” Well, shit.
Moving along the timeline a bit, I decided to move back to California. I caught word from some friends in Ventura (the town in which I was moving back to) that they were training for a marathon happening the first week of September. What a coincidence– “I have actually been running myself. Count me in!” Here I was going from 0-100 just like that. It was May when I touched back in California. They had already been training prior to me getting back out there. I was confident with what I brought with me when moving back, but oh man, how I had no idea what I was truly getting myself into. I had essentially 4 months to get these skinny ass legs up to speed before the big race day. From the moment I touched back in California, happening practically overnight, all I came to know was run, eat, sleep, repeat. Most had said I had lost my mind–I wouldn't have fought them on it.
As I now write this, I have exactly a month to race day. I have come an extremely long way since first picking up those old Flyknits–I pride myself for it. I have come to learn so much about myself through the simple art of running. My perspective on running has changed and I have come to realize that it is much more a mental game than it is physical, and refreshingly spiritual. Yeah of course, you are constantly engaging the physical, but there’s a point where the mental takes control, and it becomes much more of a well-executed spiritual dance between mind and body, in which mind and body work in sequence to keep you moving forward. The whole “my body is capable” “I can push another mile” “keep going” become the repetitive mantras, and to control your mind is to control your endurance, speed, momentum, and of course, your breathing. I have now completed a few half-marathons during training. When I had hit my first 13 miles, the only best word to describe the feeling was euphoric–most runners would coin it the “runner’s high”. Now, during that first 13, the first few miles were definitely more so physically engaging. Heck, that’s all I had known, as I had never exceeded the distance I was about to. At about the 7-8th mile, something clicked, and my body switched from physical to mental, the run became much more sophisticated, and the notion of running became this mind game that I was so new to–it was a beautiful shift. From that point forward, I 1. invested in better running shoes, but also 2. respected running for being more than just a few miles pounded out on the hard cement. I had unlocked this realm of running that was beyond just the left and right forward motion. Post-runs also became much more therapeutic: I was learning to care for my body, listen to it, be there for it, especially in the sense of recovery and replenishing. Just to be completely transparent, I had never implemented stretching into my workouts prior to marathon training, although I probably should have. Now stretching has become a daily ritual. Mental clarity is at an utmost high after a good 6 mile run. The gratefulness for this body that I had previously taken for granted is ever present. What I consume is taken into consideration naturally, as I know now what I consume will have an effect on my body and its overall performance. Yeah, this all goes in line with marathon training, but hell, as a result I have come to have such a larger appreciation and better understanding for this body and mind connection.
Listen to your body! Don’t let me fool you into thinking that this has been a perfect dance these last few months–man, if only. I have had my share of injuries during this training (remember, stretching is key, friends–I had to learn this the hard way). I have also learned that with age comes weaker joints–lovely. My knees are, in fact, not as strong as they have been. I have had rather severe inflammation on both knees on separate occasions. Form is crucial in preventing pulled muscles: sore adductors and/or hamstrings are definitely not the shit. However, slight adjustments in your runner’s gait can alleviate and prevent future strain. Adjusting pace can lower BP, and keep you within a manageable and less-impactful zone. As I have mentioned plenty of times here, stretch. For those that are curious: there are PLENTY of videos online to help with those stretching needed. I also recommend investing in a foam roller and resistance bands (both can be found on Amazon for an easy $10) to help with those stubborn knots and flexibility. One more thing that I have found rather helpful is implementing a mix of cross-training. What does this mean? My friend, change it up! Go on a bike ride for a change. Maybe a hike with a light or moderate trail run thrown in there. Hit a pool and take a swim (hop in the jacuzzi after; your post-workout sore muscles will love the wonders the warm water works). And finally, let’s talk about one thing that I have found to be the most crucial thing for recovery. At first, the idea of taking a rest day (god forbid two) was just not in the bag. Then came the injuries, and more injuries. I was just too dedicated to the bit and not willing to slow it down. But here I was truly not taking to mind the most important part of not only recovery but growth too: rest. Pride aside, I have learned to truly listen to my body post-runs, and if shit’s hurting, by all means rest. You need to know that rest is necessary and you must make sure you’re getting the quality sleep your body needs. I have found myself back to pre-school days where a daily hour nap is part of the agenda. From my experience, I have found that I surprisingly come back stronger for the next run when it comes to giving my body the needed rest! Oh, be right back… going to stretch.
This last month’s training will consist of a couple long distance runs with some tapered-down runs at a manageable pace (the ideal marathon pace). Since beginning my training, I have knocked out my longest run yet: 16 miles at a pace of 8:17 week one of this month. A week before, I completed my first 5k race, clocking in a 5:58 pace (holy hell) and putting me in 5th place overall. I’ve knocked out three half-marathon distances, with one being a hike/trail run. I am a part of two local run clubs (shoutout Rolling Cerros Run Club & Santa Barbara Run Club)–this is what you do when you want an excuse to run and drink beers. A 6-10 mile run now seems like a normal run to me. Fair to say I’ve come a looong way since day one. And overall proud to say I am much more confident for this race day.
I write this to not only share my story and running journey thus far, but to also hopefully inspire those wanting to get into the sport. I have found running to be something that has brought forth such immense benefits and improvement to my overall day-to-day wellbeing. I feel so much more in tune, aligned, stronger, confident, and driven, and the healthiest I have ever been physically, mentally, and spiritually. Like a brand new car fresh off the lot, I feel I can push forward in confidence for miles and miles ahead. But hey, this is just the beginning. Will I continue my running journey past race day? Hell, race day might just do me in for all I know. But again, who’s to truly know. Here I am knowing that I will most likely keep running a part of my lifestyle. To the extent of what it is now? Probably not, but as I sit here writing this, I’m envisioning miles ran through not just Ventura, or Yosemite, Arizona, or Los Angeles, but across oceans–Spain, Mexico, Germany, Japan. So with that said, yeah this might just be the beginning, but for all I know, this is the fire that needed to be lit within.
One of my favorite runners, Alan Salinas, from Mexico City mentioned a quote that has remained with me. I’ll leave it here for you:
‘Running isn't [solely] about exercise. Its a forced meditation. Its training the brain to endure all the other hard things in your life. Its what your most primal ancestors had no choice but to do.’
With that, as always, thank you for taking the time. Race day is right around the corner, and all I can ask is for your constant support–wish me luck! Don’t be afraid of this journey, wherever it may take you. As I have learned to do, hit the ground running! I’ll be seeing you all at the finish line.