Art Of Descending
You are taught to get your act together. You are told that *life* is all about your climb up the mountain. Your victory resides “up there.” The separation between *The Best* and *The Rest* will become evident on your climb, and if not along the way, then certainly at the top.
When the Intangible is Real
Last weekend, I joined Catalan competitors on the start line of the Escanyabocs trail running race. These 250 men, women, and teens showed up early to run 7 miles (11 kilometers) straight up a mountain along ancient trails built centuries ago out of rock and handhewn gravel.
We were grouped together behind a boisterous start line erected that morning at the 1992 Olympic whitewater canoeing venue. It’s the park I mention so often that is just below my family’s apartment (casa) in La Seu d’Urgell. I walk 2 blocks from our casa to a start-line. Wow.
There were friendly handshakes and scattered Bon Dias amongst the racers. We were pinned with numbers & names on our shirts. Some of the athletes wore high-tech backpacks loaded with water. Others like me, intended to go light with just shorts, shirts, and trail running shoes.
Rarely does life’s real prize emerge in tiny, isolated places that lack oxygen
As I had hoped, my fast-paced climb went well. Step by step, every time I felt myself in a tough spot, I found an answer — “Keep moving up.”
I reached the top of the mountain in a good position. The temporary glance revealed a beautiful valley far below. I looked around for my personal separation of the Best & the Rest. Then reality set in.
Life’s journey is not just uphill, reaching the top. Most of life’s best prizes await for you at the bottom of the mountain where the air is full of enriched oxygen, shared by others.
Lower altitudes provide more space and time to reflect. There is where we find a connection with others on a journey.
A downhill path is scary
We aren’t taught how to descend. The margin for error is narrow and mistakes have consequences. Personal improvement in negotiating the downhill sections of running — and life — is needed for all of us. And, there is an art to it.
Here are some of the notes I wrote in my journal when I returned to our casa:
Philosophy: “Running downhill can’t be improved in the gym.” Wise words from Catalan native, Kilian Jornet, who is the best sky-runner in the world. To get better at running downhill means more running downhill more frequently.
My take-away: Simulations and convenience are everywhere. Choose the real activity as often as I can.
Strategy: How I run the uphill corresponds with how I run the downhill.
My take-way: The processes are intimately connected. Pay equal attention to both.
Technique: Small, short steps allow for agility and control.
My take-away: Big leaps look appealing. Small steps practiced every day and over time, cover the same distance as big leaps and give us the opportunity to take advantage of interesting options bypassed by others.
Mindfulness: Connect with the way I want my feet to touch the ground, moment to moment — angles, positions, placements, etc. The focus on feel increases my ability to master.
My take-away: Attention that goes anywhere but into this moment is mindfulness missed.
My Catalan running friends and their ease of descent sharpen all aspects of their life. I only know this from the post-race time I spent with them at the bottom of the mountain. Bon Dia indeed.
With gratitude,
Joe
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Hi, I’m Joe, the owner of 5 With Joe Performance Coaching. My clients are leaders, organizations, and teams who utilize my Olympic Gold Medal performance strategies and 40 years of navigating whitewater river rapids to streamline decision making and actions when engaged in complicated river currents of business and life.
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