“You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.” ― Christopher McDougall, Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
I mentioned in a previous post that I had started reading Born to Run, Christopher McDougall’s bestseller about ultrarunning and the Tarahumara of Northern Mexico. Well, I finished reading the book in just a few sittings and loved it. Although if there’s one thing I’m now entirely sure of, it’s that ultrarunning is way too hardcore for me. I enjoy distance running and it’s one of my focuses for 2012, but I’ll be more than satisfied if I complete my goal of two half-marathons and train consistently this year.
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been waking early and spending my mornings at Viveros de Coyoacán, one of my favorite outdoor running paths in Mexico City. I’ve also been adding chia seeds to my green breakfast smoothies and dissolving the seeds in water and lime juice to make the Tarahumara power drink called iskiate, or chia fresca, that McDougall describes in the book — it’s not going to turn me into an ultrarunner like the Tarahumara, but it does provide a nice energy boost at 5:30 AM.
And over the weekend I went ahead and registered for my very first organized running event in Mexico City, a 10K race that’s coming up in March, and I have plans to train for and run in the Father’s Day half-marathon in Tlalpan Park in June. Read more
Located in northern Mexico in the southwestern part of Chihuahua state, Copper Canyon, or Barranca del Cobre, is made up of a series of canyons comprising an area four times larger than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. A train ride through the canyon region, or Sierra Tarahumara, on the Chihuahua-Pacific Railway is one of the world’s great scenic rail journeys and tops the list of must-see attractions in northern Mexico.
I just started reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, a book that’s most often credited with popularizing the practice of barefoot running. In the book McDougall travels to northern Mexico to learn what makes the Rarámuri (Tarahumara) — the indigenous peoples who inhabit Mexico’s Copper Canyon region — some of the best distance runners in the world. The name Rarámuri translates roughly to “runners on foot” or “those who run,” and the Rarámuri are known for running very long distances over rough terrain wearing huaraches, or thin sandals made from tire tread and strips of leather.
Each year Rarámuri runners compete alongside some of the world’s best ultra-runners in the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, a 51 mile trail run through the rugged and beautiful Urique canyon, the deepest canyon (6,200 ft.) in the Sierra Tarahumara. This year’s Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon is scheduled to take place on March 4, 2012.
Photo credit: via flickr
by Laura on December 8, 2011
in Running
Since reading Murakami’s “What I Talk About When I Talk About Running,” I’ve been working toward a daily or almost daily running schedule, so when I heard about the Runner’s World holiday running streak I figured what better way to finally commit. All that’s required to join in is a commitment to run at least one mile each day between now and the start of the new year, which really doesn’t sound too difficult.
Since I just learned about the running streak yesterday I’ll be joining in a bit late (the streak officially began on Thanksgiving), but that still leaves exactly 25 consecutive days of running between now and January 1, 2012. I kicked off day 1 of my running streak earlier this morning with an easy 1.5 miles around the park.
And of course, there’s nothing like a little public accountability to get motivated and keep the momentum going. I’ll be tweeting daily about my progress using the hashtag #RWRunStreak and posting another update toward the end of this month.
BTW, can you believe that some people have been “streaking“ for 40+ years?
Are you doing the streak? What motivates you to get out and run every day?
Photo credit: via flickr
by Laura on September 5, 2011
in Running
After watching thousands of people of all different ages and fitness levels run through the streets of Mexico City in last week’s marathon, I started thinking about my own running schedule and how inconsistent it’s been over the past few months.
It can be tough to stick to a regular training schedule, especially while traveling. In a new city it’s difficult to know where to find the best running routes and it can often be intimidating to head out for a run on your own.
Sightjogging tours — city tours that combine running with sightseeing — are bringing together solo travelers and helping to eliminate some of the uncertainty associated with running alone in a new city.
Not only are these tours a fun way to meet new people and get in a practice run, but they’re also a great way to learn about some of the city’s sights and attractions from a local expert; and they’re popping up in cities all over the world.
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On Sunday, August 28, 2011, Mexico City hosted its 29th annual Maratón Internacional de la Ciudad de México (Mexico City International Marathon).
It’s been reported that more than 22,000 people participated in the Mexico City International Marathon this past weekend. The event included a 26.2 mile (42 km) full marathon race, a 13.1 mile (21km) half marathon race, a 10K and a 5K. Prior to the start of the marathon, city officials dedicated the race to peace in Mexico and a moment of silence was observed for the victims of Thursday’s casino attack in Monterrey.
Some marathon participants arrived in the city on international flights, and Kenyan runners took the top spot in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The marathon began and ended in the Historic Center and passed by several of Mexico City’s important monuments and attractions including the Palace of Fine Arts, Revolution Monument and Ángel de la Independencia.
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