I’m finally reading Born to Run, which is an otherworldly story about a mysterious tribe of super- centered and super-human athletes nestled in remote caves of Mexico. They’re called Tarahumara (the Running People) and routinely run for dozens or hundreds of miles in the course of a normal day. It is their lifestyle. Children run free as soon as they leave the cradle, adults run for fun, ritual, and competition, and elderly Tarahumara continue this tradition late into life.
In Chapter 6 they referenced a 90 year old man who commonly hikes 20 plus miles into the mountains. The writer asked another tribesman how a man of his age could complete such feats of strength and endurance? In true Tarahumara fashion the man simply said, “Because no one told him he couldn’t.”
I once heard someone say “Florida is God’s waiting room,” and while it made me laugh, I always thought it was sad. Sure, we get old, but I’ve never liked our culture’s view of aging. Why do we settle for a pension, rocking chair and a handed down afghan while watching re-runs of I Love Lucy? (Well, besides the fact they are hilarious!?!)
My father has never been the healthiest of men and, in many ways, has succumbed to the myth of aging, but I have always admired his passion for being a good golfer. In fact, because I don’t see him often, that’s how I gauge his health. He can still hit the ball as far as me and routinely scores in the 70’s as he approaches that age. More importantly, he does it often.
Like many people I have casually thrown the phrase, “It sucks to get old,” but never wanted to accept it. Ache has always been a part of my life and in youth you simply play through the pain. I’d drag myself back to shortstop and embrace the next challenge. The body always adapted and found its way back to “normal.”
In January I attempted to run as an endurance exercise for the first time in my life. I wasn’t sure I had the patience to stick with the “slow build” Couch to 5k program, but, for once was determined to follow the rules. There were many days I didn’t want to go, but I dragged myself to NRC and met the group. There were other times when I felt good on an off day and wanted to test my limits, but resisted. I stayed on course and credit that program for everything I have done since.
The more we do something, the more it brands our fiber. It becomes natural like running is to the Tarahumara. Whether it is writing, reading, photography, dancing, swimming, biking, running; we can do it if we create a good base and develop habits.
The Tarahumara seem super human, but for them, running is easy. It’s kinda like lounging in a recliner to us. Running People don’t design spread sheets or sit through webinars, but they do make sales calls (in person) and drink corn beer like it’s a treat from God. My guess is, to them, posturing in an ergonomic chair and staring at a computer screen sounds harder than running 100 miles. It’s what we do that makes a difference.
So, I have set my sights on the “impossible.” A 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, followed by a full marathon. The marathon alone (on my best day), will be 240 of those first day sixty-second-runs in succession. The bike ride will take at least 6 hours. The swim is the equivalent of 42 lengths of a football field. But, like the elderly man, if I believe it, who’s to say I can’t?
