zen and the art of marathoning (and running)

posted Feb 19, 2012 10:09 AM by elysa barron   [ updated Feb 19, 2012 10:30 AM ]
title inspired by zen and the art of archery  or  zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance

for those (like myself) barely aware of the practices and meaning of zen i give you some words in an introduction to a book.

“Zen is a method of rediscovering the experience of being alive. It originated in India and China, and has come to the West by way of Japan, and although it is a form of Mahayana Buddhism, it is not a religion in the usual sense of the word. The aim of Zen is to bring about a transformation of consciousness, and to awaken us from the dream world of our endless thoughts so that we experience life as it is in the present moment.”
-  Alan Watts, from the introduction to “What is Zen?”

i am far from knowledgable about zen and enlightenment.  the closest i've probably been is understanding some of elizabeth gilbert's passages in eat pray love.

my version of zen is trying my best to continually be present.  this is always a learning and re-learning process.  

this past year was this 'lesson' over and over again.  each marathon was a new experience.  

below is the year in photos and a few words.
choose a section or scroll down

for a bit more words or a different write-up






race by race

first . . .
one image from each race - the exception being a few images from DE
this includes both NC events and a 1/2 marathon in denver.
hit any image to be taken to that blog entry




smiles and inspiration

a marathon experience, or any experience, is both what you make of it and what is given to you.   
people, random events, signs (another album), costumes (another album) and more
continually surprising me
giving me a reason to smile, to laugh, even to be inspired

below are just a few of those moments

clicking any photo will bring you to the photo album (in a new window)




signage

signs seem to be a regular part of the marathon experience.
whether they are there to push you forward, inform you, make you laugh, confuse you
the bottom line is that someone took the effort to make that sign for the runners
and that's kinda kewl





costumes

sometimes runners - sometimes volunteers - sometimes spectators
click images for a new window with the album




recurring characters

i had the honor of meeting & sharing the courses with many people this year.  
sometimes i was lucky enough to see someone again (and in some cases again, and again, and again . . .)
below are some of these great people.

completely random order


boergbill the barberbobby - amy - carol - tim - robertbenny - eunji - vania - kino - david w - yoshiko - stevendave maridad & lynneclydematt - frank - jim - larry - daniel - craigdavid tkathy & donjohn flesley tkevin b - kinoluimaniacsmartha & steffenmeglaura - paula - troy - cathie - kathyphil - liztamarawayne 'the manimal'maniacs (TX)


ego

some people say i should have images of me - here are a few.
again - click any for full album (new window)

thanks joe skalsky for the photoobi wanrain outfit


humbled

this is where i must give a huge thanks

first to my sponsors &supporters 
this includes races and people in addition to the main sponsors listed below

  



and just as importantly to my friends & family

my parents, boyfriend, & his family
who all stood by me & supported me through this whole adventure



for anyone wishing to follow my future (smaller) adventures - you will be able to find me here

pyxie, signing off 

hope all be wonderful & wishing you many new adventures big, small and anything in-between.

487days since
start of project 51 in 52