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Why can’t we just run? December 29, 2007

Posted by anton in : Observations , 2 comments

The story goes like this:
Many years ago John Salathe was standing around in Camp 4, in Yosemite Valley, listening to the other climbers talk about the days issues. Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard and the like waxed on about climbing’s rules, ethics, equipment, what was a good climb and what wasn’t. It got pretty hot during the discussion as things do when people are passionate about things.
They turned to John. A true leader of the climbing world who, even in his 60’s, was a bold figure. They asked him what he though about it all. In his heavy German accent he said:
“Vy can’t ve just climb?”
Stride clinics, Pose Method, Evolution Running, Chi Running…the other day some kid asks for advice.”Should I breathe in for three striders and out for two or the other way around?” Something to that affect.
I rail against all this crap.
Running is running. Period. Yes you can follow one coaches advice about speed work or long runs and another’s about duration and frequency…learning from the greats is too cool. When someone comes along and starts playing around with HOW you run…my eyebrows go up.
Indeed some new folks may need a little guidance on foot fall, stride length and what not…but after that I’m not so sure it has much value. Folks change form and obsess about it for a few extra seconds that could be found by training smarter with the style you have.Some folks do well with what they have. Others don’t. And this is the rub. Not everyone can be a good runner, no matter how much they fool around with it. Other runners are awesome. They are just that way. Everyone is different. Sameness is a curse. Trying to shove everyone into the same style of running mold is a slap at our uniqueness.
At your next race pay attention to the runners around you…the leaders if you can see them. You’ll see people who some folks would say have really bad form, running an unbelievable pace and others with perfect form who shuffle. I know of a runner who has hands that flop. Another’s arms go almost behind his back. Heads down,heads up, feet like ducks or feet like pigeons’. All of them can scoot!
This is why I think many triathletes’ prefer the bike. It’s easy to micro-manage the bike, and goodness knows Tri-heads (most anyway) like to tweek EVERYTHING…Micro-managing the run? Ya just gotta shake what your Mommy gave ya and make it go fast.
It’s so easy to gunk up something that is easy to do and make it a source of stress when it really doesn’t have to be. Don’t let all that tripe get between you and the moment you are in. Run, here. Run, now.
Just Run.

Found It. December 12, 2007

Posted by anton in : Observations , 1 comment so far

I lost it…I’m not sure when. I’ve been looking for it the last 10 years. Didn’t know where it went. I know why it went.
Today it came back.
Running around the lake,easy, nothing in mind. Just being there. Passing the beaver lodge and across the bridge and it hit me like the answer to a koan. One of the Lost Boys found. The Ark dug out of that warehouse.
The Pace.
The Pace I used to have that disappeared. The one where I can run all day and I simply don’t breath hard…where it all flows. Where everything fits.
I know why it came back.
I’m running everyday. Like I used to. Before Ironman. Before I started juggling three sports. Before my mind became fractured. Before my heart was broken and some of the pieces were lost. The pieces came back today. Slotted into where they should, and with that the engine was whole and worked again…like it used to.
I hope it’s still there tomorrow…but if not…at least one day, again,
I found it.