We Land Right Where We Need To: Trail Running To Life

I went on a trail run this past Sunday as I prepare for a 30K trail race, Cradle to Grave, here in North Carolina.  My legs were feeling wobbly as I started on the trail.  I knew this meant that I needed to go a bit slower and pay closer attention to the trail so as not to fall.

With caution, I was enjoying my run and waved to a fellow runner who was running in the opposite direction.  I was going down a set of logs steps when I gained momentum.  I was feeling exhilarated.  This momentum led me up another set of log steps with my legs feeling like jelly, when all of the sudden I found myself laid out on my stomach with my iPod flown to who knows where.  I couldn't fight the inevitable, a fall.  Actually, there was nothing to fight.  It all happened so fast.  One minute I was feeling exhilarated and the next I was laid out with no recollection on how I got there.  

On a beautiful Sunday morning, there I was, on the Blue Ridge Parkway flat on my stomach face down on a set of steps.  As you might say, "I ate it" on this fall.  In shock, I laid there for a moment doing an internal body scan then I slowly got up, a little sore and dirty, and followed up with a physical pat down.  I was okay!  My finger was a little jammed and I had a massive bruise a few hours later but other than that I was able to continue, with extra caution, on my run.  I began to think to myself, how could I have landed so perfectly?  It could have been much worse, from a busted lip to who knows what.  But there I was, I fell exactly where I needed to fall.

Many life lesson come to me on my runs.  I feel like that is how Mother Nature and I communicate about life.  As I have been transported around the globe to land back in the US, there have been moments of thinking "what the hell am I doing?"  Those thoughts then snow ball to the "am I on the wrong path?"  And then it gets bigger and bigger until before you know it my typical sane, confident self has left the building.

As you could expect, I was having one of those days when I went on this particular run.  Sunday, Mother Nature arrived on cue to remind me "you land right where you need to."  And I do, as I always have before with other moves/transitions.

I forgot to say that after I got up from my fall, I laughed.  I laughed at myself and how petty I had been thinking about "was I on a wrong path?"  Of course not, I am exactly where I need to be.  I have fallen exactly where I need to fall.  Here.

Spirit of Greatness

There is a quote that I found while hiking in a cave of rocks in Topanga State Park in California that says “Wonder In Beauty.”  Today I wondered in the beauty of inspiration.  While visiting the US Olympic Training Complex and the United States Air Force Academy, I witnessed individual dreams coming true.  Is there something more beautiful?  Men and women who dreamed of being something bigger than themselves and with courage put their heart on the line thus awaking their Spirit of Greatness.   

In the US Strength and Conditioning Facility, I was fascinated to see what the human body could do.  The movement of the each muscle intrigued me.  How flawless the communication between each neuron must be in order to create the motions for this supreme athlete to perform.  Yet, as I took a closer and past the physical movements, I noticed the focus, the drive, and the determination in the eyes of the athlete.  The sense of focus is palpable, as is the aura of greatness of the past athletes who have trained there such as Dara Torres and Michael Phelps.  You are humbled as you honor the moment as being a guest in the home of those who are putting their heart, soul, and sweat out there to achieve their dreams.

As I wondered further with inspiration today, I visited the United States Air Force Academy (AFA).  One of the 5 military universities that only takes the “best of the best “17 – 23 year olds who are not only interested in studying at a college level but also have a desire to learn how to serve their country at the same time.  As with the other military universities, AFA not only takes the brightest kids but also those who are physically fit and exemplify leadership potential by being in various clubs in high school.   Walking on the campus you can feel the focus of the cadets and are in awe of their desire to serve.  Each of them attending AFA for a unique reason while overall connecting to the greatness of serving others for a reason bigger than themselves.  What makes this so amazing is their awareness of their purpose in life.    

Though on different paths, we can all relate to the Spirit of Greatness that lies within each of us, that essence that calls us to live for something bigger than ourselves.  The US Olympic athletes and AFA cadets are an inspiration because they dared to Dream Big.  They remind us of that Spirit of Greatness that lies within everyone, although at times dormant.  It makes us aware of the power of witnessing such inspiration as it deepens the observer’s connection to his/her higher purpose.  

And if these athletes and cadets dare to put their heart, soul, reputation, and sometimes their finances on the line in order to have their dream, what can I do to learn from their example.  What actions can I take?  Can you take? 

Wondering in the Spirit of Greatness…...