Rocky Coast Run Preparations
It’s about 5 days out from the start of my next adventure. A phrase that trembles with excitement from every ounce of me. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever been so purely excited before an adventure. Mostly, I’ve been so tightly wound with anxiety that I’m falsely excited. In reality, I was actually just really, really nervous.
This adventure will be uniquely challenging to me. I’m not really a day after day, big mileage guy. I have always been more of the hard headed, simply “just don’t fucking quit” kind of runner. Despite this, and physically speaking, I know this isn’t pushing the boundaries of endurance. It never was meant to be. This time around, I’m excited to lean into the fear of the unknown more than ever. Leave the metaphorical space and literal time that I have here for the sake of adventure.
The Most Important Skill is PMA
and running helps too…
In one of my anxiety prep, manic-productive sessions, I wrote out a handful of skills I’ll need to me successful for this next adventure. There are some obvious ones on there- like running! But also written were navigation, camping, nutrition and the most important skill in every single adventure PMA.
One personal part of this that I haven’t put a lot out there on social media will be my focus on mindfulness during this journey. I plan on meditating, flowing with yoga, reading and generally being mindful in everything I do. I’ve very thoughtfully procured some pieces that will really add to this experience.
A film camera lended to me by my very-talented photographer friend, Pat Hennessy. Something that takes a very conscious effort to capture beauty.
A journey titled “Discipline” given to me by my friend and book designer Kory Kirby. A practice that is essential in mindfulness.
A book titled “Peace Is Every Step” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Very fitting but also to diversify texts I have read on this subject.
I hope to learn a lot on this adventure.
I hope to walk hand in hand with peace, not chasing it.
After the 10k for NAMI project’s Guinness World Record setting ride, I was left temporarily paralyzed. My hands were stuck in the shape of my handlebar’s brake hoods no matter how hard I tried. I went through physical therapy, wrote my entire 200 page book with my thumbs on my iPhone and couldn’t ride my bike for months. That all worked in a way as my focus immediately changed with my fundraising efforts and went full in on training for “Run The Cape”. During this, I had to ease my pace down to slow… like really slow…
Pace and effort dictate your mental space. Slower, easier effort provides space for deep philosophical thinking. While hard, fast paced efforts offer more mindful and in-the-moment perspectives. With space for my mind to wander (as it often does…) I’ve felt like each step, when taken mindfully, feels like a form of prayer. Offering every bit of yourself in every single step. I’ve always been a runner. I’ve been running for longer than anything else. It has always brought me immense peace & joy. Through my efforts during this run, I hope to cultivate that for all of those suffering from MS in the world. There are so many kind, beautiful people plagued by this terrible disease- 2.1 million people globally.
Donate to the MS Society FUNDRAISER HERE to help my goal of raising $3,000 during this journey.
Follow along on my social media accounts during the journey as I’ll be updating quite frequently!
Thank you so much to all who have sponsored this journey-
KULKEA for the stroller, all of it’s accessories and media support
Clean Machine for financing all of my 100% vegan nutrition
Maine Bike Works for tuning my bikes and wheels of the stroller
JAR Co for CBD cream and the shoes I will run in
Norwich Camera Company for a film camera, color/b&w film and love
BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER.
Love,
B