Body, Mind, Fitness

Primal Affairs

So what's with turning every challenge into an Olympic feat?

-Mary Beth Sammons

OK. So maybe it's all the Olympic hype, but lately I've been thinking a lot about exploring new adventures, about testing my resolve against uncharted terrain and pushing myself past all my physical and emotional limits.

And, patting my little adventurer/risk-taker self on the back, I have done exactly that: "Run, Mary, run ... and run faster... and farther" has been my mantra for the last few years, hoping that by tapping into my inner athletic contender, I'll explore a deeper part of myself. You know, like if I can cross that finish line on race day, nothing can stop me from other life challenges. Or, guess who else is standing at the starting line before the race? Lots of men!

On a serious note, exploring my inner athlete for the first time after decades of having sidelined her, became a powerful tribute to the lives of two close friends who didn't make it to their 40th birthdays. I carried their names in my heart during every moment of the races celebrating that I do have a life, and I am lucky for the chance to be in the race of living. And, I need to celebrate that. It became a spiritual experience as well. In the moments when I'm diving into frigid pool waters in January at 5 a.m. and thinking Why the hell am I doing this? I am transformed. At least it gets me out of bed. read more...