The Secret to Success from Mexican Outback Runners
So what’s their secret?
Well, my take on it is a bit more involved than the writer is, but in a nutshell their secret appears to be something we all remember fondly, is well within our grasp, but we (wittingly, or unwittingly) choose to live without on a day to day basis.
Their secret is to combine their running with pure, childlike joy.
Yea, right, I hear you saying. For many of us, it wouldn’t matter how much you smile, you wouldn’t be able to run 10 miles, let alone 100. Let alone without resting. And there is where the book gets more complicated, but also where I think the message gets more relevant and more broadly applicable. In fact, I’m taking notes and hope to write a small series on the personal growth and excellence lessons I’m learning out of this book. For now, I’ll tell you the following story.
I AM a runner. I’ve had my ups and downs over the years, but I do enjoy the sport. Much like the Tarahumara, I generally shun sidewalks and roads and do almost all my running on trails. I tend to be a short to middle distance runner preferring outings between three to six miles. Luckily, I’m blessed to live in an area of Ohio loaded with nature trails in that range that are not only beautiful, but challenging to run. There’s nothing like flying down a hill, half running, half jumping, testing your legs (and the trail) with a do-or-die proposition: either I’ve still got the energy after four miles to jump these three steps and still stay running, or I slide headfirst down the rest of this hill and probably end up in emergency. (Yes – it helps to be a little crazy to be a trail runner. Or trail runners just are a little crazy, I’m not sure which).
But that’s the essence of the book – because I can guarantee you whenever I’m running down those stairs, jumping two or three at a time and challenging my body to keep me upright, I’ve got a huge smile on my face. And anything you’re doing, personally or professionally, that you do with a smile on your face, gets done better and feels better doing it.
I tested this theory out over the last week. I like to stay in shape over the winter so I run treadmill a lot in my basement. I’m sure many of you can sympathize with me when I say treadmill running is boring at best, a grind at worst. There is nothing joyful about running on a treadmill. Or is there? In anticipation of better weather, I have been slowly increasing my distance, which correspondingly was increasing my boredom and ability to stay focused. So the other day midway through a 5 mile run on the treadmill, I started imagining myself running outside, jumping from rock to rock on a hillside trail overlooking a beautiful vista. A half-smile came to my face which I let blossom into a full-blown one. Immediately, I could feel a change happening to my body. A slight energy increase, a lessening of fatigue, a greater connection with that “runner’s high”. Literally before I knew it, I had put in my last two miles or so.
I’m sure to many of you this sounds like new-age hocus pocus, and that’s fine. If you’re a runner, or if you just like interesting stories, the book is still a great read. Runners especially will appreciate all the information on how all the foot, shin and knee injuries that 80-90% of us experience every year, started occurring only after the introduction of the high-tech running shoe! I’ll be talking about the Tarahumara’s answer to that one too. The stories about some of the ultra long distance runners and races where the Tarahumara ran with them are simply a blast to read as a runner. You will really enjoy this book.
But for those of you committed to excellence, whether personal or professional (or both), try a simple experiment. The next time you’re doing something that is complete drudgery, remember a time it wasn’t drudgery or tie it in your mind to something else that makes you smile and brings a bit of joy to the activity. I’ll be interested in hearing your feedback, even though I already know what will happen…
Look forward to more on this book in future posts.
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