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| all done! ready to head down for lunch at Whoa Nellie Deli! |
On the morning of September 9, 2012 the small town of Lee
Vining, that sits above Mono Lake, was bustling with runners warming up for the
Tioga Pass race. At eight o’clock the runners stepped up to the starting line,
in front of the Mono Lake Committee Center. I ran the race in 2010 and had a Zen
experience in the 3,200 foot climb. This made me a bit nervous stepping up to the line this year. Could
I really be lucky enough to have that incredible experience twice? Before releasing
us to run up the mountain, one of the race coordinators spoke. She read a quote that I think inspired everyone about to embark on the arduous
journey that morning:
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as
possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine
the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down.
You climb the mountain in equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion.
Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to
an end but a unique event in itself". ~Robert Pirsig
