Saturday, November 5, 2016

Misogi Challenge, Misogi, and Ikigai

   
First trip to the lowest natural point in the Western Hemisphere, Badwater.
      Misogi. It's a term suggested by a mutual friend at my latest Ultra 100 attempt at the Javelina Jundred, which I DNF. After the race, Brian explained to me that Misogi Challenge is a practice where one attempts to accomplish something that likely has more than a fifty percent chance of failure. After hearing this, I wanted to research it further. This practice is designed to help you focus on the process to accomplish the task. If you are to accomplish a Misogi Challenge, you accept the feeling that anything is possible in the life that we live. Despite failing to accomplish my goal, I now realize that I am still able to grow and begin to see my limits expand.
     Subsequently, I was curious to get Eric's interpretation of Misogi, and he suggested another word to explore, which is Ikigai. His view of Misogi is a moment in everyday life that makes you realize you are living in the present. No thinking. No distraction. Just being. Ikigai... What is your purpose in life? What gets you up in the morning? What is your role in this Universe? What brings joy to your life? Who are you... Truly? These words, concepts, and challenges have now made me question my accomplishment. So I would have to separate them into three categories: Misogi Challenge, Misogi, and Ikigai. So let's dive into each of these for me.

     Looking back at recent moments, I certainly have attempted some Misogi Challenges. After leaving the Army and facing the unknown, I decided to live in a van and travel around the country, experiencing new adventures, and attempting more Ultra races. Despite being nervous to leave, I wanted to find happiness and not be discouraged by fear. So I went forth hoping for the best but ready to accept whatever came my way, and I've never been happier since. I challenged myself to attempt two 200 mile races. Is that possible? Am I capable of going 200 miles over various lands, on foot, in a specified time frame? I've only gone 100 miles before and that was hard and riddled with thoughts of failure. Through doubt, challenging moments, emotional highs and lows, and time, I came to realize that I was more than capable of completing such tasks. In fact, after completing those events, I had the euphoria that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. Through time and a positive attitude, I feel I can accomplish anything that I have a passion and desire for.
     After the Tahoe 200, I took some time off from running, and did some volunteering to view things from the other side of the table. With only a few hikes and small runs, I decided to sign up for some races that I had thought of attempting, Javelina Jundred, ATY 6-Day, and Coldwater Rumble 100. Even with having just completed two 200 mile events within a month, I immediately began to get nervous and thought of "Can I do this? Can I still complete such an event?" First up was the Javelina Jundred, and the temperatures in Fountain Hills, AZ. were very hot when I arrived. With temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, I was surely out of my element. I was told by a friend, "You know bears don't belong in the desert!" My intent was to run a good hard first lap and then cool things off during the heat of the day and play it by ear. It felt good to get out and run again. This was going to be the first race that I was going to incorporate my Luna Sandals and begin to make that transition. My plan was to run a lap in them and then the next in Altra Lone Peak 3.0, and then back to the Lunas if I felt good about it. The first lap was fun but definitely different. There were so many runners that I had to constantly attend to people coming up from behind in order to pass, preventing me from just totally zoning out. I was able to run alongside Catra about halfway through the first lap for a couple of miles. We spoke about recent and previous races, and the PCT adventure that I am planning for May 2017. The lap went smooth as the temperatures rose just as fast as the sun. I strode into the start/finish line with a good time and feeling great. I chilled for about 30 minutes between the AS and van in order to change shoes and play with Azimuth, my dog. I headed out for my reverse lap and realized early on that I would need to adjust my work output to keep my body from over-heating. Along this entire course there is no shade but only the AS tents. With this awareness, I began to do a 1 minute run to 4 minute purposeful walk routine. I was able to cruise through this lap with a 15-minute mile pace. I was taking in plenty of fluids but was not urinating a good color. This heat was working my body hard. At the Jackass AS, I grabbed up a scoop of ice, put it in my cap, put it on my head, and took a seat. I felt the need to get control of my body heat. I still wasn't cooling off and then remembered that my palms are a good heat control point. I quickly grabbed a couple cubes and held them in my hands. Within 30 seconds I had this huge chill race through my body. "Ok, this is what I gotta do at each station!" I bused on down the trail to the next AS with the same routine and feeling good about it. When I arrived at the AS, what do you know... "We are out of ice..." Ok... No worries, it's only 4 miles back to the Jeadquarters and they've got to have ice at the Start/Finish line so I strode off with a calm mind. I came in having completed two laps (42 miles) in ten hours. There I met Eric's parents (Virinia and Roy). We chatted as I went to grab up some food to bring back to the van and relax a bit and oh yeah, some ice to cool down. "We're out of ice."... You've gotta be kidding me... Oh well we'll just lay down in the van, sunset is coming up, and things will cool off. We made it through the hard part of the day. Virginia and Roy helped out tremendously by bringing fruit and beer. They also happened to have a little bit of ice which was good enough to cool me down fast. With a quick clean up of the feet, good eats, and hydration I headed back out onto the trail after about an hour. I continued to move in my Altras and steadily into the first AS. Sunset was fast upon me and headlamp on. The next stretch was 6.5 miles over rocky terrain, not bad. As I progressed along the trail I began to realize my right foot was hurting. It wasn't just the regular foot aching... It was sharp pain through the side of it. Ok, you'll be fine cause the trail gets better after this section. Hmmmmm... People are shining their lights into the bush... What's up? There's a snake!!! Oh HELL to the NOsssss (as you can tell I am not a friend of the snake)! We cautiously moved past as it continued to move away from the trail. I came into Jackass AS (midpoint of loop) hobbling on my feet. I took a seat into what I thought was the medical section, but didn't find the medical personnel I needed. I sat down, took my shoes off, and began to massage them. Man did it hurt. I laid down for a bit and would walk around, then massaged my foot, bit it wasn't getting any better. Is it really worth sacrificing my future adventures or hobbling the next 48 miles and possibly seriously injuring myself? I just couldn't find any valid reason to continue so I decided to end this 100 mile fun run in the desert.
     I woke the next morning and walked very gingerly around. I didn't feel good about my DNF but I also wasn't down about it. I knew I made the right decision. That morning I chatted with Justin, Brian, and Heather as we anxiously waited for Jerrod to finish up his last lap. He was able to make it in before tit really heated up again. It was joyous to see so many runners continue to push through to the finish line. If you ever want to go to a good Halloween Party where good spirits are all around, Javelina Jundred can be one hell of a party for those not running.

     Misogi and Ikigai. More often than not I have at least one moment in each day where I am completely and utterly present. Lately, it has occurred while I walk Azimuth at night under the stars. The stars are just spectacular here in the desert. There's just something special about them. When I go through my practice on the mat I always tell myself to be a more present and compassionate person. This is a process that I strive for each and every day in order to be the best version of myself. Through my travels, I've continued to receive such tremendous support from everyone and how I inspire them. All I'm doing is traveling, living in a van, and running. Somehow this act is reaching out to people as they wish they could live freely as I do. I find their support encourages me to continue what I am doing. I feel we are helping each other along this journey of mine. Even though I don't know how long I'll do this. I'm sure the Universe will let me know when it's time to head in a different direction. I just hope it doesn't deviate too much from this life I've cultivated for myself at the present moment. Maybe this is my purpose in life. It makes me happy.

     I hope some of these thoughts stir up a conversation within yourself and your life's journey. Until next time, Be Good, Be Happy, Be You.

First Beer Mile... Crushed it!