A JOURNEY OF THE BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT
Or, The Last Annual Vol State Road Race 2012
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the summer of hope, it was the summer of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct to Hell – in short, the period was that of extremes, highs and lows with some moderates. In comparison, each runner experienced his or her esoteric learnings brought to the surface by the monumental task of the Vol State Road Race in the month of July in the year of 2012.
Thus, the paraphrasing of the opening lines of the classic, A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. The book was written of other things and other times. But, the often quoted opening lines apply to the Vol State Road Race 2012 just like the bonding of the Vol State to thirst and fulfillment, joy and anger, pain and euphoria, loneliness and camaraderie, hunger and satiety, staleness and excitement, stubbornness and anxiety, complacency and spirituality, doubt and confidence, patience and impulsiveness…and, maybe, a little insanity mixed in to what we think is normalcy. Each runner in the 2012 event can relate to many of the aforementioned qualities. Now, that it is over, more questions may arise. But, more importantly, more answers may have been found. Therein lies the real truth of the long run…discovery. Each finisher is not the same person as he or she was at the start. Each of us is someone different. Only the runner can know to what extent.
The journey of the mind and body began by running off the ferry in Hickman, Kentucky. In a race where anything can be expected, the start was the start of great unexpectations. The ferry was grounded which prevented the crossing over and back on the Mississippi. Instead of starting in Missouri, we adapted and started on the ferry deck and ran into Hickman. Gary Cantrell modified the time in order to equate with past Vol States, equality being the key. Each runner’s mind was working to adapt to the run and apply one’s biology to the mileage, duration, terrain, and environment ahead. Problems were to be predicted and, hopefully, solved. If not solved, the runner would suffer. The amount of suffering would change over the 314-mile distance lying before us toward the southeast.
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“In the midst of regular life, running is the touchstone that breathes adventure into my soul. I can feel the trail under my feet, the press of the hill, the gallop of the track, the burn of my lungs, the stir of wonder and possibility. Running reminds me that there is more to me than what is readily apparent much of the time. I don’t always need to see it. But, Oh, how I need to know it’s there. Like having an alter ego, or a super-cool super-hero identity.”
Kristin Armstrong, Author and Runner
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I ran easily, slowly up the small rise leading into Hickman. I glanced around feeling like the rookie that I was in this event. Most were walking. Did they know more than I did? Obviously, since most had run this before. Still, I ran up the small hills talking to some of the others that were running. Two guys were taking it out. Not me.
The hills got severe in old Hickman until we were at a high point overlooking the ferry and the course behind us. I stopped to take a photo and to breathe. My mind was doubtful about what was out there ahead of me. I did feel good about my pack and its non-obtrusive presence that marked me as part of the solo or “unscrewed” division…as were most of us in this parade. But, that did not sway the malignant doubt and anxiety about the immediate future.
A hardy group of adventurers on the ferry to start the Vol State 2012.
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