Fear is a liar and Marathon energy!

Collective Energy

Welcome to yet another weekly installment and thanks for taking the time. There are a couple of topics I will touch on in this weeks blog. First up will be some notes on Fear and how it cannot exist in presence. It’s something we all deal with on some level so I think there will be some good reflections  and take aways. For the second half we will touch on the unbelievable energy of the Marathon and how being at the finish line of this years Maybank Marathon here in Bali switched my whole mindset towards running on the road. Get comfy, grab a drink and settle in for a good read.

FEAR

Last week I wanted to get some vertical kilometers and try out a new mountain here on the Island. Catur ( not a misspelled Batur ) is a trail a lot more easily accessible and close to home than the others more commonly spoken about. While these experiences are often better enjoyed with friends this one was meant to be a solo mission. I tried and tried to talk myself out of it, the 4 am wake up, driving there in the dark, the unknown of the trail itself. All these obstacles were being built in my mind and trying to keep me from some time in nature. 

Fear is such an interesting thing. I knew I just had to break it down piece by piece. Even on the cold drive up the “what if’s” just kept getting crazier. Maybe it’s being a father or just part of life but it was really interesting to observe these wild thoughts and continue forward. When I got to the trail head and was getting ready a car pulled up and my mind was like “ maybe you just hike up with these people”. Somehow just begging for a safety net. 

It took me just starting to run to realize that even though it was still an hour before sunrise, the trail was dark and everything was new I had nothing to be scared of. It was being present in my footsteps, my breath and trusting that I was in the right place at the right time. 

The run itself was so beautiful. The path is super straight forward and my current level of fitness allowed me to run up most of it. Something about having a beam of light to reveal just a few metres ahead allowed the focus to be sharpened. I reached the top as the sun doing its morning stretch behind a perfect layer of Volcanic goodness. Seeing other mountains I’ve been on top of from a new perspective is a great feeling.

I spent a couple minutes looking around and in awe that a massive intricate temple was constructed at the top. In that same moment of bliss there was the reality of garbage and human carelessness scattered down the side of the hill. I’ll never quite understand that mentality. The whole hours drive home I thought about fear and how being present is the only way to prove yourself wrong. It literally cannot exist if you take a moment to look around and realize you are actually okay. At least for this level, which is a compilation of made up circumstances and not physical symptoms based on previous experiences. 

MARATHON ( or half )

We spent Sunday morning with our friends from ON at the finish line of this years Maybank Marathon. While I have ran the distance I have never done it in an actual event or even attended to check it out. From this experience it really put into perspective why people chase the high. From trying to run each major marathon to always looking for a new personal best. I now understand the magnetic pull and why behind these events.

The coolest thing for me was seeing so many people cheer for complete strangers. I loved how even amongst our running community here a lot of them were there pacing others to help them achieve. That’s amazing! There isn’t many circumstances in life where a person will take hours out of their day to see you succeed in an unecessary event. 

We were about 200 m from the finish line and got to witness every emotion under the sun as thousands of runners passed us by. Sure there were some athletes there who looked so natural and calm as they glided down the road and others holding each others hands in victory as they spotted the finish line. All within the same barriers you find those racing in wheelchairs, people in full costume and others doing it just for fun with no time goals in mind.

The whole thing made me really honored to be part of such a movement. It’s so amazing to see thousands of people all spending time and effort to achieve something. If you are looking for a sign that you should do that scary thing, this is it. Sign up for a race and let the collective energy push you towards things you never thought possible. 

THANKS

Again, thanks for your valuable time and support of our little community. I truly appreciate each person who came and got merch, joins us for a run and spreads the love as far as it can go. 

Until next week. Take a new road, enjoy your coffee and see ya soon.