There’s running in the rain…and then there’s running in the rain forest. Ironically, our 5-mile run around Lake Arenal in Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica was sunny, rain free and only mildly humid. But a weather report alone cannot even begin to tell the story of running in Costa Rica. Yes readers, CENTRAL AMERICA.

But first, some backstory.

We spent this past week visiting dear friends and wonderful hosts, Merlinda Gallegos and husband Paul Vigil, at the home they’re renting in the 1,000 person (and 500 dog) town of Nuevo Arenal. Why “new” Arenal? Turns out Volcano Arenal buried the old town and they gave it a second shot in the 1960s. This developing country gives new meaning to the word “beautiful.” Nuevo Arenal is a happy rural farming town where dogs running the streets smile, locals giggle when well-intentioned gringos (that would be us) order dinner en Espanol, and somehow – without wifi and cell phones – everyone knows simultaneously that the town is out of eggplant.

As for the setting, think “Jurasic Park.”
As for the insects, think “A Bug’s Life” (but without the cute).
As for the air, think pure, fresh oxygen oozing from countless leafy surfaces.

We hiked lush hanging bridges…relaxed in thermal rivers…saw Congo monkeys…swayed in hammocks…drank water from coconuts forced open with a machete…

Oh yes, and we ran!

Running in Costa Rica is unlike anything we ever experienced. On one hand, our senses were overwhelmed:

• the temperature warms your bones
• the breeze kisses your skin
• the soft earth on the trails along the lake makes for fast running
• the views are never-ending and magnificent
• time seems slowed…if not suspended

Then there are the realities of running in a developing country:

• the roads are without shoulders and laws for driving are questionable (no traffic lights in Neuvo Arenal)
• getting stared down by a bull with an attitude (corralled in by a fence that wouldn’t scare a chicken) is concerning
• Costa Rica is freakin’ hilly!
• depending on your source, the water is either super refreshing or cloudy and tastes a lot like the lake
• always over your left shoulder is that imposing Volcano Arenal…still smoking after all these years
• it’s hard to run anywhere without knowing if you’re trespassing or not (are the jail beds in Central America comfortable?)

That said, the miles were as hard and demanding as they were therapeutic and spiritual. Costa Rica’s beauty is unparalleled and begs you to come back. We accept the invitation.

(By the way, our post-run pancake breakfast made the realities a little less harsh!)

RMFR

By Tara Maras

It’s funny how easily we can get distracted. In my case it was dealing with a runner’s low that reintroduced the iPod back into my running routine. Without thinking about it, my 0ne-on-one time with God and prayer became less and less on my runs. It’s difficult to pray with Nickelback and DragonForce blowing out your eardrums.

So it came in the form of a simple message on Facebook, from someone commenting on earlier post on spiritual running, that brought about my Easter Eight with God (sort of ironic that that someone’s name was Faith). I left the iPod at home on a gorgeous Easter morning in Las Vegas. After saying my prerun prayer, I headed out on my usual 8-mile course but with my priorities set straight once again.

I don’t want you to think that this is something you need to learn. An exact science it is not. It’s simply using the time you have during your run to talk to God. In my case it starts with a running mantra “He has risen, saved by grace.” I break up the syllables to my stride and that helps clear my mind and lets me focus on the task at hand. Usually after a mile or so, I’m ready. Today being Easter, my mantra fits perfectly and that’s what my runs prayers focused on. It’s not all about prayer though. I use this time to just talk to God. Asking questions, making comments and saying prayers for other runners and cyclists. Living in the moment and appreciating everything He has done and will do in my life.

While I know this may not strike a chord with some of you, I find it spiritually rewarding and I think you will too. This is Our time. Not performed with hundreds of people but my direct connection with God that’s not limited by rituals or time constraints. It’s from my heart and I know that He is running along side me. Not just on that particular run, but running along side me in life.

Next time out, leave your iPod and distractions at home and give it a shot. I think you’ll be surprised at the results.

He has risen. Saved by grace.
RMFR

How many times have you been on a run and a car suddenly stopped before clipping you? On a hot day, has there every been a cloud that just seemed to hang out – covering the sun and keeping the temperature just a little cooler? One could dismiss these occurrences to luck or good fortune. Some might not even pay much attention or notice them at all.

Since I started meditating and praying while running, I’ve noticed these events happen more often than not. I think more often than not, we dismiss little things in life as coincidences. I have been putting much more thought into Divine intervention. While I don’t think that God is constantly making my runs as easy as possible, I do believe that he has his hand into a lot more things then we give Him credit for.

Why is it do we think that signs from God must be grandiose? The burning bush. The parting of the Red Sea. Miracles and signs that left no question to who/what they were. I think the problem is that in this day and age with our 24/7 lives, we’ve stopped paying attention. While I’m running and focusing on my breath, I try and make my senses open to all stimuli. Tuning out all mental static and listening to the silence, I’ve become more in tune with the world around me and able to bask in all of God’s creation.

On your next run, leave the iPod at home. Force yourself to focus on your breath. Fall in tune with your footfalls and tune out your worries, troubles and issues. Recite a mantra and get into a groove. Don’t worry about your pace and just listen. Listen to nothing and allow your senses to take in the world around you. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll see.

Just a quick update on a new mantra that I’ve started using (click her for my previous post). When I typically start my running meditation process, my pace is slower and using “He Has Risen, Saved By Grace,” works nicely with my pace and breath. I noticed however when I was charging up a hill or quickening my pace, it didn’t work very well. I started using “Godspeed” for these more aerobic stretches during my run. Breath in on “God,” taking in his Grace and strength; breath out on “speed,” expelling all your fatigue and doubts. The two syllables are perfect for the faster pace and the connection to God and self mediation is restored.

Meditation is a whole new thing for me. I’ve never tried traditional meditation. Maybe it’s my lack of interest or my unwillingness to try but it’s never held much interest for me. Since reading “Running the Spiritual Path” by Roger D. Joslin, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve been practicing mediation for quite a while now – I just didn’t know it.

Have you ever been on a long run and come to realize you don’t recall the last mile or so you just ran? You checked out at some point and something pulled you back to reality. In most cases, your mind gets filled with thousands of trivial thoughts that occupy your time. It’s time to harness this “time” and use it as your “meditation time”. Here are a couple tools that may help you:

Chants and Mantras
These are words or phrases that you can repeat to the rhythm of your breath and/or stride. RMFR used to be my mantra of choice but that has been shuffled to my “Running Gang Sign” and it doesn’t fit my new spiritual path. Remember that you should find a chant or mantra that fits your breathing. Let your words develop naturally to your own running rhythm.

My chant that I started using to focus on my time with God running is “He Has Risen. Saved By Grace.” When I feel my focus wavering and I need to rechannel my thoughts to my breathing or the sound of my stride, I use this chant and it brings me right back to where my thoughts need to be.

Mudras
This is funny because I didn’t know it officially had a name. Mudra is loosely defined as hand movements that accompany dance, music, chants or mantras. I can explain this using my chant. When I say each syllable, I touch a finger with my thumb. I start by touching my index finger on down to my pinky (Risen is touched on the ring finger and then the pinky). For the second part of my chant, I proceed back up my fingers back to my index finger. When I start the chant again, I do it on the other hand.

It takes a little while to get used to it but after doing it for a couple of minutes, it will become second nature. There’s a lot going on but you’ll be amazed at how focused you’ll become.

Good luck and please share your chants, mantras and mudras.

When I first started running it was all about my health and doing something I’d never think I could or would – running a marathon. That was 2006. I lost over 60 pounds and completed the Las Vegas Marathon with little scaring. After that it was all about competing. I needed a race on the calendar to keep me motivated thru the 110 degree summers of Las Vegas. Recently I’ve come to another crossroads. I haven’t felt that same fire in my gut that threw me out door day after day. I was feeling empty and needing more. That has recently changed and I think has changed my life permanently – for the better.

I’ve been thinking for some time that there was something else I could do with running. We’re out there on the roads and trails for hours on end. If you’re like me, thousands of thoughts enter my head on every subject from every angle. You’d think collectively we could have solved the worlds problems by now!!! Most of it is nonsense and I’ve always thought I could use this time for something useful and now I have. I’m using running as time to mediate, clear my head and make up for some lost time with God.

Now, I’m not a fanatic by any means but hear me out. How many times have you thought to yourself that you “don’t have the time pray.” There’s always family, work, television or some other distraction filling our lives 24 hours a day. Running is my solitude, running is my escape but I am alone no longer.

What do you say? How do you say it? There’s no formula, no rules, no ridicule or praise. There’s now a feeling of grace, comfort, belonging and a sense of purpose. Just clear your mind, open your heart and talk. It’s your time.

I’m not a pastor or priest but a runner who’s found the prayerful dimension of running. If you’d like to learn more and be inspired to take a leap of faith, check out the book “Running the Spiritual Path” by Roger D. Joslin. I’m only 4o some pages into the book and I’m hooked. I am not alone – in running or in life.

“Imagine that you are running toward God and know that far in the distance God is running toward you” – Roger D. Joslin