Life Lessons on the Run: Making Every Step Count

In my stories, I reflect on how I began racing in 2001 and, so far, have completed over 50 half marathons and over 300 Marathons and ultras. I finished my 50 Sates and DC marathons on June 1, 2014 in Deadwood, South Dakota and completed my goal of racing on all the continents in Morocco on January 25, 2015. The most challenging races so far have been in Death Valley and Antarctica. Although I have traveled to many places to race, my favorite marathon course remains the Napa Valley Marathon in California, where I ran my first marathon. The stories in this collection are reflections of my encounters and I am grateful for the lessons learned. I have learned that most distance runners do not necessarily have the healthiest hearts. I have witnessed many fatalities during races linked to heart issues which may not have been diagnosed as a pre-existing condition. Race directors of major races have begun highlighting these issues by having runners sign releases of liability specific to heart conditions. My own experience with heart disease, and how my doctors missed all the signs of a 95% blockage on my right main artery, is detailed in my story the "Heart of Hearts." Running and racing on the trails have taught me how to have a greater deal of respect for nature. I have raced in extreme conditions and learned how to better listen to my body. My encounters with wildlife, from mountain lions on the trails near our home in Los Gatos, California, to an encounter with moose and being chased by bears in Alaska while avoiding variety of snakes in different trail regions, have been a constant reminder that I am a guest in their territory. I enjoy trail running and, currently, am mostly interested in ultra-racing. I practice meditative running, Zen walks, yoga and core strength. I also practice and teach Tai-Chi and Qigong. Incorporating their principals has taught me how to transform my running into "mediation in motion" by silencing my mind, being present and connecting with the energy of the earth. Mastery of the game is my motivation. In the early years of racing, I tried answering the question of why I run to my friends and family. Countless hours of training and about a100 races later, I realized that birds do not think of flying and fish do not see the water they swim in. Running is as natural to me as breathing, but it has also been a humbling experience. It has taught me to show up for the events in my life, put one foot in front of the other, make mistakes, embrace the situation and be grateful for the lessons learned. The hardest part of racing these days is getting to the start line. The best parts are the miles I do not remember.