Spirit of Bug Sur; Random Shots of Beauty
Going back to the old days for this weekend's topic, in honor of Big Sur Marathon weekend on the Monterey Peninsula this Sunday. Big Sur used to be the end-all, be-all race for me ... but then triathlons and ultramarathons came along, and nowadays it seems like just another race.
However, it doesn't take much for me to recall just how amazing the race experience can be, and just how incomparable the Big Sur coastline is as a backdrop for a race. It was these kind of recollections that formed the topic of our Monterey Herald column this week, which follows below.
And we may as well stick with the theme for our Random Shot of Beauty:
Bixby Bridge at mile 13 of the Big Sur Marathon course, as photographed for my 2009 race report.
To anyone who is running this Sunday: be sure to savor the experience, because it's truly one of the best you'll ever have. And to anyone who hasn't run Big Sur yet: be sure to put it on your list someday. You can thank me later.
**
Running
Life 04/28/12 “Spirit
of Big Sur”
Can a
race be a religious experience? The question often comes up when we
talk to Big Sur neophytes, because we're reminded of the awe and wonder of the
marathon experience through unfamiliar eyes.
We often
have opportunities to support friends who have taken on the challenge of
running the Big Sur Marathon. This year a relatively talented newcomer
named John has joined us for several training runs, and has been
enthusiastically following our advice.
After
John’s last long training run he invited us to his house for a beer, and
started asking questions about his taper. (Which should have started with,
"Why are we drinking beer?") When Mike headed to the
refrigerator for another Anchor Steam, he noticed large “John 3:16” signs
displayed prominently on the door.
When Mike
returned he commented, “I didn’t know you were religious.”
John
replied, “I’m not particularly religious - why do you ask?”
Mike
said, “Because you have John 3:16 signs on the fridge.”
John
remarked, “Oh, that’s funny - I didn’t even think of that. You guys told me to
motivate myself by putting my goal marathon time where I could see it, so I
picked the fridge. I think I can run 7 minutes and 30 seconds a
mile, which works out to 3 hours and 16 minutes.”
The
exchange triggered an interesting discussion of running and religion - or
perhaps running AS religion. Along the way we touched upon some
great pieces advice for anyone running the Big Sur Marathon, regardless of
their ability level.
The most
important point is this: whether you are running Big Sur for the first time or
the 27th; whether your goal is breaking 3 hours, setting a personal
best time, or just reaching Carmel before they tear down the finish line;
whether or not you are religious, you have to realize that on Sunday, you will
be doing something absolutely magical.
This race
and this place are special. The magnificence of the shoreline, the
crashing of the surf, and the tranquility of pastoral hillsides - regardless of
whether you believe God created them, can be used to enrich your journey
up the coast. Beautiful music will provide a soundtrack to the
splendor at multiple locations along the way. Be sure to savor all
of it on race day, and don't let yourself just stare at the white line on the
road
Channel
the excited energy of the doves released at the start as they fly in serpentine
patterns, framed by hills and redwoods on their journey home. Feel
the camaraderie of 6,000 feet echoing through the redwood groves of Big
Sur. Greet the breeze that awaits you at Molera State Park with a smile;
it's here that you'll see your first glimpse of the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
Be
envigorated and challenged by the two-mile climb up to Hurricane Point, and
capture a memory for a lifetime as you cross Bixby Bridge and hear Michael
Martinez on the Grand Piano.
In the
"lonely miles” from 16 to 21, when the spectators disappear, ponder what a
gift it is to be able to run a marathon. Yes, you'll be
uncomfortable - but that's part of the experience. Keep taking step
after step to prove how strong you are in both body and spirit.
After you
finish (and we KNOW you will), keep your finisher’s medal as a constant
reminder of the magic of the Big Sur Marathon and its power, like a religious
revival, to uplift your very soul.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
However, it doesn't take much for me to recall just how amazing the race experience can be, and just how incomparable the Big Sur coastline is as a backdrop for a race. It was these kind of recollections that formed the topic of our Monterey Herald column this week, which follows below.
And we may as well stick with the theme for our Random Shot of Beauty:
Bixby Bridge at mile 13 of the Big Sur Marathon course, as photographed for my 2009 race report.
To anyone who is running this Sunday: be sure to savor the experience, because it's truly one of the best you'll ever have. And to anyone who hasn't run Big Sur yet: be sure to put it on your list someday. You can thank me later.
**
Running
Life 04/28/12 “Spirit
of Big Sur”
Can a
race be a religious experience? The question often comes up when we
talk to Big Sur neophytes, because we're reminded of the awe and wonder of the
marathon experience through unfamiliar eyes.
We often
have opportunities to support friends who have taken on the challenge of
running the Big Sur Marathon. This year a relatively talented newcomer
named John has joined us for several training runs, and has been
enthusiastically following our advice.
After
John’s last long training run he invited us to his house for a beer, and
started asking questions about his taper. (Which should have started with,
"Why are we drinking beer?") When Mike headed to the
refrigerator for another Anchor Steam, he noticed large “John 3:16” signs
displayed prominently on the door.
When Mike
returned he commented, “I didn’t know you were religious.”
John
replied, “I’m not particularly religious - why do you ask?”
Mike
said, “Because you have John 3:16 signs on the fridge.”
John
remarked, “Oh, that’s funny - I didn’t even think of that. You guys told me to
motivate myself by putting my goal marathon time where I could see it, so I
picked the fridge. I think I can run 7 minutes and 30 seconds a
mile, which works out to 3 hours and 16 minutes.”
The
exchange triggered an interesting discussion of running and religion - or
perhaps running AS religion. Along the way we touched upon some
great pieces advice for anyone running the Big Sur Marathon, regardless of
their ability level.
The most
important point is this: whether you are running Big Sur for the first time or
the 27th; whether your goal is breaking 3 hours, setting a personal
best time, or just reaching Carmel before they tear down the finish line;
whether or not you are religious, you have to realize that on Sunday, you will
be doing something absolutely magical.
This race
and this place are special. The magnificence of the shoreline, the
crashing of the surf, and the tranquility of pastoral hillsides - regardless of
whether you believe God created them, can be used to enrich your journey
up the coast. Beautiful music will provide a soundtrack to the
splendor at multiple locations along the way. Be sure to savor all
of it on race day, and don't let yourself just stare at the white line on the
road
Channel
the excited energy of the doves released at the start as they fly in serpentine
patterns, framed by hills and redwoods on their journey home. Feel
the camaraderie of 6,000 feet echoing through the redwood groves of Big
Sur. Greet the breeze that awaits you at Molera State Park with a smile;
it's here that you'll see your first glimpse of the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
Be
envigorated and challenged by the two-mile climb up to Hurricane Point, and
capture a memory for a lifetime as you cross Bixby Bridge and hear Michael
Martinez on the Grand Piano.
In the
"lonely miles” from 16 to 21, when the spectators disappear, ponder what a
gift it is to be able to run a marathon. Yes, you'll be
uncomfortable - but that's part of the experience. Keep taking step
after step to prove how strong you are in both body and spirit.
After you
finish (and we KNOW you will), keep your finisher’s medal as a constant
reminder of the magic of the Big Sur Marathon and its power, like a religious
revival, to uplift your very soul.
Get updates as soon as they're posted! Click here to subscribe to Running and Rambling.
Check out the Running Life book for a collection of our most popular columns.
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