Resistance Training: Post Sandy 10-28-12

As Hurricane Sandy prepares to move inland and wreck havoc upon the densely populated mid-Atlantic region,  we took a turn into cools-ville, woke up this Monday morning with temps in the low 60's!  While we hunkered down Friday to see what the storm would bring,  I had a window of opportunity to regroup here at the crib and re-orient myself to my own space.  Above,  my very modest wall of running fame....which now serves to remind me:  I am a runner no matter how many miles or races I run.

Saturday and Sunday I did modest loops, which together would add up to a good long run LOL.   But as my usual bucket of aches and pains continues,  I am just not pushing it right now.  Saturday it was a beautiful, bright run on the Emerald Hills loop.   Sunday, it was me and a whole lot of wind down on the southern loop and out Park west,  wind at my back on the 'out' portion,  wind in my face on the 'back' part.  

Meanwhile,  without warning or foresight,  my SO also blew through and as it went,  blew up our night, our relationship....slinging what hurts he harbors at my head and heart,  unable to hear either himself or me.....like the hurricane,  he left debris in his wake....including the safety and sanctity of our connection....which historically and periodically finds itself battered almost beyond repair.

I have hit a lot of resistance lately:  from the Powers That Be and all best laid plans (workshop for NSU postponed;  private clients on the pause..... M.),  from clients who spin into their own vortex of chaos and blame me for the outcomes....from my own attempts to 'plan' things accordingly.   Sunday's run gave me two interesting experiences.  On the way into the western stretch, my attention seemed pulled up into the wind whipping the tall branches in the big trees where the sparkling sunlight met the clear air showering me in that dance of subtle colors which said "all is ready,  anything is possible- at the blink of an eye- changes are coming faster and faster....." which gave me an odd feeling of relief.  And once I rounded back into the winds coming home,  finding the strength deep inside to keep up a good clip....using the wind as a means of testing my own reserves....finding the rhythm....keeping it up even when it seemed the end of the road would never come.

Feeling alone out there on the road is a metaphor for everything I try to do.  The emotion of 'just me' and the elements, the day, the circumstances,  the solitude of my training increases my ability to handle my own Self no matter what blows through.   The World will continue to bring us many unusually high-intensity experiences,  ones we consciously create,  others we find ourselves part of in the larger Gestalt of our mass conscious -(or Unconscious-) ness.  I can't control M., Sandy, the direction of the winds,  the cancellation of events.  I am barely in control of getting enough sleep and taking good care of me.  Resistance is the training we ask for to clarify our own willingness to dig deep and find out what our endurance is all about.  We try to run scared from these challenges, but I have learned it's best to EMBRACE them all as the honored Teachers they are.   So for those of you bracing for the storm,  or feeling storms of your own in your heart,  bow before these forces; I do.   I am humbled by the Power of Mother Gaia to determine Fate in a way which embroils us in Her Big Plans ....for CHANGE.  JUST KEEP GOING.  LOVE WILL PREVAIL.  Stay safe everyone!

Weekend Runs and a Right Brain Workout 10-21-12

The type of runs I had this weekend are characterized by the timeline of flanking on either side of Saturday's Right Brain Workout.  Saturday morning,  as I tried to shake sleep from my head,  I took off for a Griffin loop and an excuse to pass by TY park, site of the workshop and Karmageddon,  and check out the preparations.  As I managed to coax my body into a semblance of rhythm and settled into my gait,   my brain was free to process my own preparations.  Every Right Brain Workout I've ever done starts with 'Plan A' and my carefully choreographed "script."  And then of course there's 'Plan B', or, what happens in the moment,  with the energies of all the participants merging together. 

I will see if the Saturday gals decide to post their own experiences....suffice to say the miracle of any Creative Encounter is the Magic of personal and group transformation,  gently coaxed by the physical elements of the art-making.  For every personal revelation,  there was a deeper nodding inside me which kept saying YES YES YES.   Yes to the divine dialogue with Mother Nature.  Yes to the power of reaching towards Self, with others, in the service of our Greater Awareness.  Yes to the synchronicity of the group members,  the 'Spot',  the Karmageddon event...and the day itself,  unfurled around us like a flag.  I really had to do very little but 'give permission' and all the women were right on my wavelength.  As the power of that original dream continues from so many years ago,  about what a Right Brain Workout was all about,  I see many more to come.

Sunday,  I took myself to John Lloyd state park and shared the roads with the Tri folks,  who were smack in the middle of a race!!  Plodding-along-me was easily passed by every biker-become-runner....as they rounded their loops...showing me yet another athletic alternative to the usual running world.  I like cycling and swimming too...! But the tri folks are very gear-heavy...so for now, I stick with one sport at a time....

This run was reflective and celebratory.  I was less concerned with my mileage, and more content to take the road before me and stop at the end...soaking up the sun,  the breezes and plopping myself down by the ocean to dream of more.....more encounters with Mother Nature,  more opportunities to share this Right Brain world.   When we give ourselves permission to embrace our healing,  we are more forgiving of our vulnerabilities and challenges, which are GIFTS laid before us to unwrap our True Selves.   Make art, make music,  make more love and make someone happy today by showing them their own Creative Self at work....you will see it in tears, 

Big Winds Weekend Runs 10-14-12

While unusual weather patterns continue to surprise folks all over the globe a stationary high pressure system gave us big winds here in SoFLo.  I ran both Saturday and Sunday with the winds a major factor:  wind in my face, resistance training,  wind at my back, cruise control.

Saturday, after my lolly-gagging around,  I caught a late morning westward loop and still had mild temps throughout.  Still trying to work out all the tight spots, I had a nice stretch all the way down and around to tiny Anderson park,  heading north towards Emerald Hills from there.  Sunday,  it was the big Griffin loop and a surreal and powerful stretch down 35th as my music cut out and the only sounds I heard were the birds, the wind and the occasional car rumbling past.  There is nothing I love more than a big open road and no timetable to be on....very often 'lifting' off from my present moment to find myself wandering the associations in my head,  and getting lost in the beauty around me...

 

 As many of us have been noticing,  the winds feel like they are at our back.  And even with the fear-mongering, hype-making, drama-ratcheting going on,  something is pulling us into the Center of ourselves,  a core essence where our purpose and passions make sense.  And where pared down to our very being,  the joy of breath, movement, laughter and love come to us like gifts from Life Herself, filling our need for sustenance from Spirit,  soul and each other.

Whether you are feeling the wind at your back,  or smacking you in the face,  trying to push you backwards,  remember you can always change directions.   You can go on cruise control and take in the liberty of your momentum,  soak up the progress,  enjoy the lack of pressure, praise yourself for maintaining your pace.  Or you can take the winds head on and get strong from the fight, get clear on what's important,  get tired,  then relax into the pride from standing up to powerful forces which only seem against you because you are standing in their way.   Put your finger to the air and test the winds today.  See if you are ready to let them take you further, or if its time to put up, put it out there and allow your heart to get stronger.  Great Mother is a relentless but loving Teacher.  If you let Her She will show you every time;  step out your door and you will see. 

Expedition Sunday Run 10-7-12

"No matter our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."  -Dale Turner

With the crazy weather patterns these days,  it took some thought to figure out how to create a Sunday long run that matched my needs;  not too long or short,  with enough interest to keep me motivated over the miles....deciding finally on making a 'base' at a Publix lot and get back up on the Dania Beach loop.  I had a decent Saturday Griffin loop, and was eager to work on getting my endurance back.  Basing at the store saved me money from the State Park (plan B) and removes me from the triathletes crowding out the parks.  Plus I have everything I need at the end, including a chance to pick up a few groceries! 

When I was little and took off on my many expeditions through the old orchard paths,  I never knew exactly where I was heading until I 'got there'.   This love of exploring serves me well in running- and life- as my curiosity usually outweighs my fears of the unknown....and keeps my enthusiasm revved.
I started out up the road finding my gait, loosening those tired muscles and enjoying the quiet.  The skies remained overcast with occasional spots of sunshine or washes of drizzle....the ideal long distance conditions (well a little cooler would be nice).  The first surprise was the pair of monkeys (not chimps) I found foraging through the underbrush by the canal....!They looked peaceful and purposeful,  so I kept to my pace and they kept to their business.  They were so beautifully out of place!  As I speculated on where they came from etc I rounded out onto Dania Beach Blvd and the long, straight stretch to the overpass before the beach...feeling comfortable, relaxed and soaking up the morning, shared on occasion with the cyclists and bikers on their Sunday rides. 

It was good to see all the landmarks, and finally the ocean unfolding as I made it up on Surf Road (above)...heading on down to North Park and more confident than I felt in a long time in the power of my own two feet to maintain the distance, and allow my mind to wander the immense beauty that is Nature.

North Park swung this vista into view.   The Grand presentation of light, water and palms waiting for me, giving me that shout out as I stopped and snapped photos....ahhh....the cooler breezes were washing off the waters....as I headed west and took the intercoastal overpass I could feel the brush of that cool air lifting me like air under wings.  I felt buoyant and free bounding down the other side, giddy as the kid I once was breaking my own path through a dense woods many years ago.   As I came up to the car I felt like I'd been away a long time, some where far away....and refreshed as I grounded once more to my chores, my day,  my work week to come.

The spirit of the expedition is deep in me from those old days long ago, and my determination to get out, get away, get close to those elements that have always called to me:  the silencing of human activity to hear the songs of Nature,  the deep resonance with pattern, color, light and movement that creates the corresponding deep peace in me.   In these days of seeming chaos and deflection from what truly matters in Life,  an expedition into Mother Nature is a sure way to reconnect with your true Self.  Gaia will show you in Her magic mirror what beauty lies within,  not just in Her own amazing World, but in the world within YOU.   Take the risk.  Make a plan.  And get into a natural place with yourself soon. 

Dale Turner