My Shoes Have Mexico On Them

Yesterday, I went for a blissful 6 mile run along Ali'i Dr., the main beachfront road in my town of Kailua-Kona, HI.

The weather was cool and gray, a change from the normal heat and sunshine.  As I prepared to embark on my run, I realized how much dust and dirt from the Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco was still left on  my running shoes.  I shook them off a bit and hit the road; feeling the magic of the Copper Canyons still in my feet.

On my run, I thought a lot about transforming our thoughts to change our minds.  

Here's what I mean:  I often tell myself and others that "I am slow".  "I run slow, bike slow, swim slow, etc. etc."  I say this, thinking it is the honest truth.  Compared to many runners on the roads I am slow.  But is this true?  Or is it true only because I am consistently telling myself and others this.

When I arrived in Urique, for the long run two weeks ago, I went for a little training run when I first arrived, and as I passed through the town, other runners commented, "look out, she's fast!"  Really?  Fast?  Then, as I ran in the heat of the Barrancas (the Mexican name of the area around the Copper Canyons) for the Ultramarathon, again, spectators and fellow runners commented on my speed.

This is me at the finish of the 50 miler: crying in total disbelief that I was capable of running that far!

Humility can be a very grounding emotion.  And yet, as I ran yesterday, my thoughts turning towards my form and turn-over; I wondered, "what if I told myself that I was fast?"  What would happen?

A friend reminded me the other day, that our minds are like computers.  We input a message enough times, and memorize it.  If we tell ourselves, "I am stupid" enough times (or someone else tells us this), we memorize it, and this belief effects our behaviors, emotions and relationships.  We might stop ourselves from going back to school, or starting a project, or reading an interesting book, because we truly believe that we "are stupid".  Is it true?  If so, only because we think it is true.

The good news is, we can REPROGRAM the computer.  We can input new messages, and change not only our thoughts and words, but thus our actions and behaviors.  What if instead of telling yourself, "I will never be (healthy, happy, fit)_____; I'm too (lazy, indulgent, overweight) _____," you told yourself, "I can be healthy, I am working towards good health, etc."  

The crazy thing is, it works!  I was not always fit, happy or healthy.  It took a lot or retraining my brain.  Now, I have a life-style that fits my values, my thoughts and actions around health are synchronous and I feel amazing.  

Jackfruit and mangos on my front porch.  Fruit is the best!  Cleansing and sweet.

A final little hooray for good health and creating change in our bodies and homes.  I'm on a cooking and creative spurt in my apartment and am celebrating the start of spring with a gut cleaning!  

As any MD will tell you, a happy body truly starts with a happy gut.  So, I'm working on getting more pro-biotics and healthy bacteria into my system to start a bit of spring cleaning in there!  

Here is my home-made sauerkraut and sourdough starter bubbling away on my kitchen counter.  Happy fermentation!  Click on the links to learn how to make your own!

Reflections on an Amazing Journey

It has been over a week since I ran the Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco, and the experience feels both fresh and distant at the same time.

It is difficult to put into words what I am taking back with me from the race, but I can say that I feel fundamentally changed; transformed. 

 Ever since returning home, I feel this tremendous creative energy and a need to follow my bliss more than ever before.  As time goes on, it's as if pieces of a puzzle are slowly coming together; one that started the minute I started running the Copper Canyons.

It's as if the simple act of running all day with a band of Tarahumara Indians, known for their long distance running ability, and other ultrarunners from all over the globe, has left me at once at peace with the world, and also unsatisfied with the status-quo like never before.

Running the ultramarathon through the Copper Canyons put me so deeply into my bliss; I felt so much joy and peace; but also had my eyes open to poverty and the importance of our earth's resources in sharp relief.

Here are a couple local kids, after the Kid's race on Saturday; opening their goodie bag of school supplies.

More than ever before I realize the need to ACT to equalize wealth, protect our environmental resources and unify as a community to address these problems.  

After the race, I felt powerful and strong.  I could not even believe I had run the distance, let along done well in a 11th place among females finish.  Perhaps this power has me energized for change.  

The money and resources this race brings to the Canyon in Mexico, where drought has devastated corn crops, has made a huge positive impact.  The people have more food; the town is thriving.  What else can be done?

Here in my community of Kona, HI, I am embarking on a new journey of sharing healthy living and being an advocate for nourishing foods that come from the earth.  Positive change starts in our own bodies and minds; making choices to pick healing foods and reduce over-consumption is simple and takes only a moment. 

 Taking this path has led me to run 50 miles through Mexico.  What will renewed health do for you?  

Rebirth and Repair in the Copper Canyons: Part I

I returned home to Kailua Kona, HI this week after an amazing journey to the Copper Canyons of Mexico for Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco.

Words cannot express all the feelings, memories and connections I am bringing back with me, but I will share the journey as best I can; posting updates as my memories release the story.  

I flew from Kona to Tucson, AZ to meet up with some fellow runners and continue the rest of the journey by road.  Here are my travel-mates; (from left to right) Don from Montreal, Joel and Patrick from Tucson just before we left for our two day drive from Patrick's home to Urique, in the Copper Canyons of Mexico.

The journey down to Urique, Chihuahua was marked by beautiful stark desert scenery, and engaging conversation and bonding with my car-mates.

We stopped for the night in Creel, a high mountain town.  Here we are having breakfast at the local hotel, a roaring fire behind us in the lobby.

After breakfast, we loaded the car again and tried to stay warm; Joel and I challenged these local Tarahumara kids to running races, but they were too shy to accept.

As we made our way down into the canyons towards Urique, the car filled with excitement; the scene outside the windows was getting dramatic, the temperatures were rising and I felt myself yielding into adventure.

Many curvy roads ahead and a rest stop about the valley afforded some of the most dramatic views of Urique and the Copper Canyons that nature can offer.

From that moment on, my attention and focus shifted; it was this beautiful moment in the trip where I let go of persistent heaviness; burdens; or past assumptions.  I was here to run and experience the magic of the place. No need for a computer or phone or city problems to follow me.

Arriving in Urique, with the tall mountains we came from behind us; the first thing we wanted to do was run.

The spirit of the canyons had an energizing appeal and after two days in the car, I was ready to stretch my legs.

So, after settling into the campground, my travel buddies and I set out for a short run into town and down river and back again; exploring the colorful downtown and narrow ally's.

Already Urique had a home like feel to me; be it the sleepy stray dogs, the content people and new friends, or the surrounding beauty of the canyons I'm not sure.  But I was at home.  And running on strong legs, I was free and at peace.  The running had started, even though the race was days away.