A run with Changing Woman

     It has been an interesting Fall. Pretty typical in many ways- a little snow followed by day after day of beautiful, sunny days. The shorter days still get me down and I always seem to come down with some sort of respiratory illness. One experience stands out however, as reshaping this season of change.
     In mid October I ran the Canyon De Chelly 55K over in Chinle Arizona. It was a rare chance to run in the Canyon, as it is usually closed to anyone without a Navajo guide. The race director placed a heavy emphasis on spirituality in running, and how it relates to Navajo culture. I'm the first to admit that aspects of Navajo culture are difficult to understand, as they should be for a white kid from the suburbs. Running as a spiritual immersion in nature though is an almost daily occurrence for me. It is the primary reason I run, and it was refreshing to have this at the forefront of an organized event. What really struck me about so many of the Navajo I met was how they have retained their beliefs in a modern world that seems to offer no place for that world view. They all have smart phones and internet and so many of the normal modern conveniences. They also conduct ceremonies with eagle feathers and fire at dawn, and shout to announce their presence to their deceased ancestors as they run up the Canyon. I often struggle with this dichotomy. My beliefs are often black and white. How can I talk of being one with mother nature when I'm wearing a digital watch and shoes made from plastic?   I often waffle between wanting to run barefoot and studying up on lactate threshold. One of the lessons I took away from running that race was that I can balance these parts of myself. I don't have to go all or nothing. The polyester draped over my skin does not preclude me from feeling like just another animal running for my survival.
     The other important lesson I was reminded of was of family. Particularly those who count on me directly in their lives. My lady, our dogs and the cat depend on me to keep this happy little existence rolling along. I have cursed myself for adopting pets and the obligations it brings. I'm selfish and I like my life exceedingly simple. I know, however, that I am dependent on others. People I know, and some I've never met, must get up every morning and do what they do for all the dominoes to fall just right so that I can keep doing what I'm doing. It's a big complex web. There is still a large part of our society that I don't want to take part in. Lately though, the role I need to play to protect and nurture what I believe in is a little more defined.
     As a "race" Canyon De Chelly was a failure for me. I ran too fast, blew up, cramped, and finished almost an hour slower than I had hoped. It was a bit embarrassing, as I should know better. As a learning experience it was great. It was probably just what I needed.