Floating
By: Elizabeth Sutton
Last year I joined a running group. After running on my own for a long time, I thought I needed to try something new. So on a cool, rainy April evening I headed to the Westchester Road Runner store.
I have to admit, I was nervous. While I had been running for years, I only ran a few times a week about three or so miles at a time. What if I couldn’t keep up? What if I didn’t like running with other people? What if this was just a really bad idea? So I took a deep breath and walked toward the back of the store. If anything got weird I could easily dart out the door and no one would know.
I scanned the great running clothes on the racks, the gels and vitamins on the shelves and the sea of running shoes on the wall across the room. Then a deep upbeat voice asked for our attention. I turned to see a young, fit, red-headed guy jump up onto a bench and address the crowd of over 40 women ranging in age from about 20 to 60. He introduced himself as Gerry. He was funny and calm and I knew at that moment that I was going to like it here. On that night and on almost every Monday since, my evening is spent with this group of wonderful women and our leader/coach/friend Gerry. Each week Gerry shares his inspiration and insight into running or asks an expert to share theirs. Over the past year, we have heard from nutritionists, reps from various athletic clothing lines, chiropractors, doctors and physical therapists. But nothing could compare to the wonderful evening that we spent at the store a few weeks ago.
Gerry and his ultra-running partner and friend Christy invited a small group of us to meet Caballo Blanco, the main character from Christopher McDougall’s best selling novel, Born to Run. Caballo is clearly a man with a mission and that mission is to help the Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyons of Mexico. The Raramuri is the name the Tarahumara call themselves and Caballo wants to help them help themselves. As he spoke, a slide show of photographs of the Raramuri appeared on a large screen beside him. The Raramuri life is a simple one based on old traditions of farming and running. It is that simplicity that attracted Caballo. He is a man who loves to run and loves to watch the Raramuri run or “float” as he says like clouds gliding through the sky before an afternoon thunderstorm. Caballo and the Raramuri run without watches, or high-tech running shoes, their running is pure and effortless.
After his talk, I had the privilege of speaking with Caballo for a few brief moments. When I asked what we could do to help, he responded, “Come down and run with us.” He invited us to join him in the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon he organizes each year. We participate in the race and enjoy the Copper Canyons and in return the Raramuri are encouraged to re-realize what a positive thing their running is. They see that their lifestyle is respected and honored by others. This spirit of korima, or the circle of sharing, is woven through his talk and in the end is what keeps him going. It is obvious that while the Raramuri are fortunate to have a man who has made the preservation of their freedom his life’s work, he too has gained as much if not more from them.
Caballo Blanco’s commitment to the Raramuri and to their freedom to float through the trails of Mexico is one I won’t soon forget. I was disappointed when the night was over. I wanted to hear more about him and about the people he has grown to love. But it was time for Caballo to go. He has much to do before he returns home to the Copper Canyons. He will work this spring and summer in Colorado in order to bring money back to the Raramuri. He will do this and ask for nothing in return. Just like our friend Gerry who greets us every Monday night sharing with us his love of running. He asks nothing in return either. We have all become stronger runners this past year and Gerry seems to revel in our successes. He says our commitment and newfound love of something he treasures has inspired him. Korima, perhaps. Some of the girls in the group just completed their first half-marathon. Gerry and Christy ran their first ultra-marathon last weekend. Many of us were there to cheer them on. We root for each other and support each other and look for ways to get together to celebrate. This whole experience has changed me. Running is part of who I am now. When I am stressed, I run. When I have writer’s block, I run. When there is a free half hour here or there, I run. I try to run every day and on occasion I even set out without a plan— no mileage in mind, no time restraints. Today, in fact, I ran through the woods without a watch or an iPod and I think that for the first time in my life I may have been floating.