The mountain teaches you things if you’re willing to learn.
It felt like a good day for a run. I woke up motivated to attack life. Some days you just have it in you to get things done and today was one of those days. I headed out early because I knew it would be heating up quickly.
I recently moved to a new area and have been exploring by unconventional means, either by bike or with my own two feet because I do not have a car. I have owned a car for the past 32 years of my life and, let me tell ya, I am glad I don’t. Not having a car presents opportunities. It forces you to efficiently problem solve because certain activities like simply going to the store can be an all-day adventure. Not having a car also allow you to enjoy life outdoors. And that was my goal for the day. I just wanted to get outside and enjoy life on my own two feet.
I headed out down the mountain. I contemplated weather I would take a new route or stick to roads I knew best. I concluded I did know and honestly didn’t care. I decided I would do what felt right at the time and just go with the flow.
Moving to a new area creates challenges. I moved to an area where I knew no one so it was up to me to find new friends, meet new people, and get to know my area. When I am in a good head space, this is the best single best part about change. Although, when I am in a negative place, I hate it. It becomes monotonous and cumbersome. On the negative days, my brain just wants to know everyone and where everything is. On the good days, I love it. When I am open minded the world completely changes. You find things you never were looking for and meet people who change your life. I have noticed I have the ability to change my mindset from moment to moment. What I think is a crappy situation, is actually my perception of it. In these dull moments, I remember how I got here and think of why I am thankful to be here. It usually snaps me out of the negative thought loop.
Mario owns a small convenience shop. When I first arrived, I noticed him sitting outside of his store (which is his house as well) observing the people and cars pass as they pass by. Some days her would be alone and other days their were people in his store chatting with him surrounding a small coffee table in the center of the store. He looks like a kind mam. He possibly is in his seventies and has the facial wrinkles to prove it. His smile is welcoming and everlasting. One day I decided to stop by his store and buy something small. In retro spec, I wasn’t at all interested in buying anything I was just looking to connect. I think connection is crucial to surviving as a human. It’s out deepest want. Being new to the area, I was desperate to just make a connection with someone to feel like I fit in. When I know I am liked and fit in I feel more comfortable in life.
“MARIO!” I yell as I roll down the mountain at blistering speeds on my road bike
“Steve” he yells back.
Most days I speed by on my bike are like this and it makes me feel good.
Today was a running day so I didn’t have to yell his name. I could just pull off the road and chat with him. I greeted him and he greeted me. All I could do was stare at his infectious smile. After awhile I start smiling as well. He asked what I was up to today and I responded with a description of the run I was planning on doing. He commented on how much I run and how well I do it. My smile grew. After some time and a short conversation later, he looked over to his left and grabbed a Snickers bar, turned back towards me, and extended his hand.
“No”, I said.
“Why not? You don’t like?”, he asked.
“I do but not while running”, I answered.
Then I stopped and thought about the situation. This man was offering me a candy bar to help me through my run and I just denied him.
“Wait, how much?”, I asked.
“Nothing, it’s free”, he said.
“No, why?”, I asked.
“Because you run here all the time and I know you”, he said.
Fuck. I almost teared up. This was the connection that I had longed for and now it’s happening. This is beautiful.
“Wow, yes I will take it. Thank you very very much.” I said expressing my gratification with two very’s.
“Yes, see you later”, he said.
“See you later”, I replied.
I stuffed the Snickers bar in my waist band, thankful, but with no intention of eating it.
Running hills are difficult in general. That’s probably why run training programs usually add them in to a runner’s weekly workout once a week; maybe twice if they are training for a hilly course.
Now take a hill workout and put it on a mountain. Tough I know. Now for even more difficulty, lets add in elevation. I know. Fuck. Right? Now let’s shake it up a bit more. Lets run at 9,500 feet of elevation where oxygen levels are 70 percent that of sea level. All these factors listed above are my every day and today was no different.
I started to pick up the pace. It felt good. Then it didn’t. I couldn’t breathe and I had to back off. This was the mountain telling me to slow it down. For me, as I fatigue my form improves. Generally, I begin to fall into stride with less tension the more I fatigue. At these moments I begin to care less about form and just let go; running to run and not to run to look a certain way.
With 70 percent less oxygen in the air you are forced to learn efficient breathing techniques. Abdominal breathing is the foundation of efficient breathing. At these altitudes your breath resembles a rubber band. With an inhale you build the breath and with your exhale you forcefully let go of everything. It takes practice and time to master.
I was tired and intense abdominal breathing was setting in. The word calories came across my mind. Then Snickers. You son of a bitch I thought. I reached in my waist band and grabbed the Snickers bar that was gifted to me by Mario. I opened it while running and took bite. At first I couldn’t breathe because chewing, breathing, and running at 9,500 feet is an immense task. Finally I was able to mentally settle down to tasted the sweet chocolate, Carmel, and peanuts collaboration smoothing over my taste buds. There are not a lot of things in life that are perfect. Come to think of it, I only have a few memories of perfection. Today, one memory was added to that list.
I began to feel it again. Everything was moving and in fluid motion. I even felt like I was running. By this I mean that I felt like I was pulling the ground away from me and throwing it backwards which is a one que of “correct” running form. On top of feel it, I was even able to verbally say hi to others walking along the side of the road. All accomplished because of a damn Snickers bar.
Note to self: Snickers bars. Are. Life.
“Listen and learn” -the mountain
