13 Valleys Ultra run
At the end of September, I will attempt to run/walk 182k with 7000 m vertical ascent. I hear you thinking, but why Paul. And this is my second attempt.
And what does this have to do with ancient Chinese wisdom?
Let me explain. It all started with a YouTube video with Peter Attia. In the video Peter explains that vo2max is the best indicator of health. Vo2max is an indicator of how much oxygen a person can use. And this function is trainable. So, I decided that it was high time to work on my endurance. I started running, and this led to watching running videos, which led to watching ultramarathon videos. I decided that I wanted to be fit enough to run 100k. After training a bit I decided to switch my goal to 50k first.
When we stress the body, it becomes stronger. A stronger body function better. And believe me, we should all want a strong body. I try to make it clear to my clients that sport is the number one thing that we can do that has a direct impact on our health and emotional and spiritual aspects.
So, I choose a goal that scares me just enough that I must train for it, or I will not finish.
Five or six time a week I go running, and my body slowly changes. I get stronger after recovery and slowly I can run more and longer.
In Chinese Medicine Yang qi is considered a transformational quality. By constantly running my ability to transform increases. This is apparent in how long and fast I can run. In Chinese Medicine Yin qi is considered a nourishing and structural quality. By constantly running both qualities increase.
The Yin support and structure provides the base for the Yang function and movement of Yang. When the Yang function and movement increases the Yin support function better.
In Chinese Medicine there is an expression that illustrates the mutual interdependence on Yang and Yin qi.
Yang is the commander of Blood. Blood is the mother of Yang.
Yang is the commander of Yin Blood because is causes physical movement. When we run the function of the Heart increases, and more Yin blood is moved around the body. The move Yin blood is moved around the body the better the Yang function.
Yang qi is: Immaterial, produces energy, generates, non-substantial, energy, expansion, rising, above, fire, male.
Yin qi is: Material, produces form, grows, substantial, matter, contraction, descending, below, water, female.
I place more value on the slow progression and changes that occur during my training than the actual reaching of my goal. Yes, I do what to be able to brag that I did it, but the process is much more important that reaching the end point. Mastery is reached by practice. The impact of training is extremely broad and affects me in many ways. The knowledge that I have the and ability to run 80k in Belgium for fun is for me the reason I train. To run for 11 hours by myself gives me a keen sense of self.
Just in case you want to join me here is a link to the 13 Valley website.
See you there? You can come and cheer me on, I could use the company, especially in the middle of the night.
