It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.
George A. Sheehan.
I decided to do something a little different this week. A couple of months ago, I learned that a yoga instructor (Lucas Rockwood) living in Barcelona, Spain, was hosting an unusual “race” that he was calling the Mindful Marathon. I have run a few regular marathons, and pretty much decided I never wanted to run another, but this was going to be different. Over the span of twelve hours, the runners would run 26.2 miles for the full marathon or 13.1 for the half, but instead of just running them flat out, they would be running 1-2 mile loops at the top of every hour. The first loop was the longest, either 4.2 or 2.1 miles depending on whether you were doing the full or half; and then every hour after that you would run either a 2 or 1 mile loop. I decided to try it. After each loop, there was a journaling assignment, in a small book, the MIndful Marathon Journal. Some people would run in person in Barcelona, but others, like me, would map out a loop to run at home, and keep in touch with other runners via a private chat group.
I decided to give myself the extra challenge of taking a picture during each loop. Here is the result, all taken with my iPhone, over the course of twelve hours (7am - 7pm) on September 24, 2023.
No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success, although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes. More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes.
Don Kardong
The Long Day of Running
Loop 1: 7:00 am
I started without thinking,
as I do when I know
the thing is hard.
Just start.
Lace the shoes.
Put on the layers.
Go outside.
Start running.
Don’t think about the long run.
By mile three, the sky was blue.
I was home at 4.2
Loop 2: 8:00 am
A few minutes to rest
between the first
and second hour,
second loop.
I didn’t change,
kept on my shoes -
just went out
again and ran.
I saw a hawk
above me in a tree
get chased away
by a bunch of crows -
then I was home.
Loop 3: 9:00 am
These little segments
of running and rest
go by so fast-
I drink water,
eat a little,
write a little
and then I’m back out
on the road
stopping only to see
the dew drip
from a pink
hydrangea.
Loop 4: 10:00 am
After the third loop -
I take off my shoes,
wash my feet,
change my socks,
and splash water on my face.
This is the heaven
of clean dry feet.
I write about seasons passing
before I go back out
on the road,
where
a single red leaf
falls
Loop 5: 11:00 am
The miles are stacking up,
the temperature is rising.
I am hungry -
and there’s a ripe
tomato in my garden. (12.8 miles)
Loop 6: 12:00 pm
Oh I must be getting tired -
I stopped
to get a picture of the bee
resting on the guardrail
only to see
it was a hornet
and I was way too close.
Luckily, it flew away
without a sting. (14.97 miles)
Loop 7: 1:00 pm
I am a new person.
I took a cool shower
after lap six -
changed my clothes,
changed my shoes-
went out to find
blue water, blue sky
and a white sailboat
drifting by. (17.13 miles)
Loop 8: 2:00 pm
Fierce little squirrel
with a nut your mouth
bigger than your head,
and another nut safely
wedged below you
in a cracked limb -
I’m working pretty hard
for my next meal too,
but not nearly as hard
as you.
(19.29 miles)
Loop 9: 3:00 pm
An audience of deer
greeted me
at the beginning
of loop nine - staring.
I felt a little like
Snow White -
until I realized
they were just waiting
for me to pass by
so they could
finish their game.
(21.47 miles)
Anyone can run 20 miles. It's the next six that count.
Barry Magee
Loop 10: 4:00 pm
I’m feeling the miles.
Rubbed some oil on my feet
Changed my socks.
Bravely went back out -
saw a doe standing
by the edge of the woods
eyeing me,
unimpressed.
(23.64 miles)
Loop 11: 5:00 pm
How happy i am
to see the black crow
in the green grass.
Knowing this is my last
full loop; I will only
have a half mile left to run
on the last one -
then I can really get clean
and eat and be done.
(25.79 miles)
Loop 12: 6:00 pm
The marathon can humble you.
Bill Rodgers
I finished. Along the way I picked up acorns and acorn caps, and tucked them into my mailbox at the end of every loop so I could make the sign for my last picture. What can I say. I love to run. I loved this day. It is so different than a timed, flat-out race. It still tests you. It’s still 26.2 miles, but you can take care of yourself along the way. I am taking it easy running this week, but I feel better than I ever did after a traditional marathon. It was hard and I was tired, but I already want to do it again. I am so grateful for Lucas Rockwood and this brilliant idea!
Thank you so much for being here!
P.S. Also Thank you Tom and Lisa for your support all the way through!