Following the Trail

I can hardly believe it, but the Ultramarathon Caballo Blanco is now officially less than two weeks away.  Equally hard for me to believe is how physically strong and mentally peaceful I feel.

Here I am during a training run last Monday in Volcano National Park.  I had glorious 36 hours up there, starting at 4 a.m. with a hike to the current lava flow with my friend, Kawika, a talented photographer and kindred adventurous spirit.

Skipping over lava rock towards the glowing flow at 4 a.m. was a wondrous experience.  With only our headlamps illuminating our way; I tried to keep up and keep my footing, and stay aware of my surroundings.  Passing by active lava, just yards away, we arrived at a nice viewing area, where I stayed put while the photographer and two friends journeyed on.

Sitting on warm lava rock on a cliff about the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean; I found the kind of inner peace I seldom experience.

I napped a bit and awoke for as the pre-dawn light illuminated the colors of the flow in magical ways.  The sun rose and time inched forward; it was the kind of morning where time had little meaning; there was simply the scene before my eyes, the warm rock below me and my beating heart inside me.

Hiking back with the photographers, I was reminded that in any journey we may choose; any trail we follow, it truly is the landmarks along the way that sometimes hold the most meaning rather than the destination itself.

If I had not decided to run around the Big Island, had I not decided to run the upcoming Ultramarathon, all the training runs, all the adventures in preparation for the run would not have occurred.

I have found that some of the most powerful connections I have made with people are in the context of running, health and endurance sports; people who embrace life, movement and change.

Often these are people who do not accept the status quo; knowing that we can always grow, and that we never know what's around the next corner if we are sitting on the couch at home.

Below is my good friend Roberta and her dog, Koa, who I camped with after running the trails in Volcano after viewing the flow.  We shared dinner and a cozy fire; viewed the glowing caldera and wrapped up the day with good conversation and company.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has helped me along the "trail"; along my journey.  Each new connection, perspective, bit of wisdom or courage or enlightenment has brought me to where I am right now.  Where is that?  Happy, healthy and following dreams; about to run a 50 mile race in Mexico.  Not a bad world to live in, I'd say!