Running Out of Time

In his book Born to Run Christopher McDougal exposed the world to the distinct culture of the Tarahumara, a group of indigenous people living in the Canyons of Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental, renowned for their long distance running ability.

The Tarahumara have used this ability to survive as a people while maintaining their traditional way of living the for the past two thousand years.

Today their way of life is being threatened by illegal logging, narcotic-trafficking, and climate change. 

Peace Action Maine is showing the film Mexico'a Tarahumara: Running Out of Time at the Meg Perry Center on Monday February 27th from 5-7p.

The film will be followed by a presentation of photographs and additional video material along with information on how you can get involved in the effort to protect the culture of the Tarahumara people and the land on which they live.

Click here for more information on this event:

About Sprouts

On Monday night several of us met at Local Sprouts Cafe on Congress St. to kick off the first of the weekly X-City Running group runs. This marked the first of many Mondays when runners dressed in day-glo green and "ahhh, my eyes!" orange will crowd in the doorway of this vibrant community space, stretching against the big brick building, and distracting the cafe's customers before heading out for a few moonlit miles through the West End.

I wanted to take a second to highlight how Local Sprouts came to be the lucky recipient of all this unsolicited runner love and how it fits in to the mission of X-City Running. 

Local Sprouts Cafe grew from the seeds of the Peoples Free Space, a Portland based community organization focused on creating collective spaces for sharing information and resources, building community, and fostering sustainable alternatives and creative resistance to social, economical, political, ecological oppression.

Over the years the Peoples Free Space went though the challenges and transitions of any upstart community organization, but the people involved in it's inception have stayed true to the principles that the organization was founded on. They have since put these principles into practice by opening the Meg Perry Center, a community meeting space dedicated to educational change and social action, followed by the opening of the highly successful Local Sprouts Cafe located directly across the street.

Local Spouts Cafe has some of the best food in town and is also home to the Bomb Diggity Bakery which is always putting out a delicious selection of desserts.  But, good grub aside, it is the values of this co-operatlily owned and operated cafe that I wanted to shine a lightmon:

"Local Sprouts focuses on using local and organic ingredients to build connections to our community, to grow sustainability, to support Maine farmers, to protect our environment, and to build our local economy. We are a worker-owned cooperative that believes in creating a democratic and equitable business to serve our workers and our community"-from the Local Sprouts website

The goal of X-City Running is to strengthen the local running community while strengthening the community that we run in.  With that in mind, I couldn't think of a better place to bombard with hungry runners who'll drink up all of their coffee and clean out the Bomb Diggity bakery counter on any given Monday night. 

So that's what 'Spouts is all about.  If you want to learn more visit their site and check out the menu, upcoming events at the 'cafe, and information on how to become a member of the co-op.

And if you want come bursting in the door.all sweaty and loud and talking about running while eyeing up the last cookie in the case then join us on Monday nights at 6p for the X-City weekly run!

1 More Mile Challenge

I've been deeply inspired by local runner, coach, and author Blaine Moore's upcoming endurance event to raise funds for Camp Sunshine, a recreational camp in Casco, Maine for children with life threatening illnesses and their families.  Please take a second to watch a short video from Blaine as he explains what the 1 More Mile Challenge is all about and how you can get involved.

A Running Start

As I spoke with members of community organizations throughout Portland about our upcoming group runs it became clear that a lack of winter running gear will be a barrier to participation for many who might otherwise want to run.  I had been kicking around the concept of something called the Running Start Program and wanted to share the idea.

The program would involve creating a wish list based on the needs of those who've expressed interest in running and soliciting used gear from members of the athletic community to match these needs.  Aspiring runners could then be matched up with those who are donating their used gear and exchange a service that would further the donating members running progress (taking care of a household chore so that the donator can sneak in a run that they otherwise would have missed, helping to compile training data from a running log, listening to you recount every detail from your first marathon which takes longer to tell then it did to run it...) for the piece of gear that they need to begin running themselves.  Runners helping runners.

Just an idea at this point but wanted to share it, get feedback on how the program could be alternately implemented or improved, and ask anyone who is about to ditch an old pair of running shoes to hold off...they could end up giving someone in the neighborhood a running start.

Wanna race?

Racing is an experience like no other.  Some of us race to compete with others and some to compete with ourselves. Some line up to share in the pre-race jitters, the pure exhiliration of running in a pack, and the post-race camaraderie. Others for the free t-shirt...

But I think that for most of us it's a combination of these things that draw us to the starting line of a race. In every race that I've trained for, run, and reflected on afterwards, I've learned someting about myself.  And for the price of participation (measured partly in dollars and cents but mostly in dedication, sweat, and hard earned miles)  it's one of the most valuable and personal lessons that you can invest in.  So whether you've got your sights set on your first finish line or you're a crazy competetive speed demon looking for your next P.R make 2012 your year to race!

Here are a couple of great races that are taking place over the next few months::

Bradbury White-Out 4.5 Mile Snowshoe Race: February 12th, Pownal

Trail Monster Running hosts some of the best races around, period. With the second annual Bradbury White-Out Snow Shoe race right around the corner I would urge a) anyone has never raced before to come and check out the festivites, lend a helping hand, and experience the camaraderie around the campfire as finishers come plowng through the snow and across the finish line b)  anyone who has never run a snowshoe race to immediatley purchase a pair of Dion Snowshoes (a great local distributor who has been a supporter of both Trail Monster Running and the Maine runnng community in general), register for the race before it sells out, and begin charging up hills and across frozen rivers, yowling like a yetti, in preparation, or c)anyone who is not in a position to purchase snow shoes at this time to check out Trail Monster Running for information on possibly getting  a loaner pair for the race.  It's going to be 4.5 miles of snow-kicking, trail running, mountain madness and is not to be missed!  Check out the Brabury White-Out,the other races in the snowshoe series, and the best trail running site around by clicking  here

Race the Runways: 1 mile, 5k, 1/2 Marathon, and Airport Challenge (Run the 1 Miler and the 1/2 Marathon): April 7th, Brunswick

I just learned about this race from an X-City Running member who plans to compete in the 1/2 Marathon. Others have expressed interest as well and so it is highly possible that a carpool will be leaving the Portland area on April 7th to race on the runway of the Brunswick Airport.  According to the race website the course is pancake flat offering a good shot at setting a personal record (as well as offering the unique experience of being able to see the finish line from the starting line in the 5k). What I like about this race is the opportunity for a wide range of runners to share in a unique experience together based on the 1-14 mile distance options.  The race is also a benefit for Veterens No Boundaries, an adaptive recreation program for veterans and active military personale with physical disablities. Visit the race website here

Patriots Day 5 Miler April 15th, Portland

From all accounts this is a fun and well organized race right here in the city.  If you're looking to make the jump from a 5k to 10k this will be a great opportunity to make the transition.  I don't know anything more about this event but you can check out Maine Track Clubs profile of the race by clicking here

If you end up running one of these, write in and tell us about it. If you're looking for training partners show up at our upcoming group runs or join our meetup group to connect with other X-City Running members, And if you're interested in more races in and around the Portland area check back soon for more race profiles, info, and updates, from X-City Running.

Thoughts to run with...

On a recent run with a friend we got to talking about discipline and accountability in relation to running. I thought the conversation was worth sharing...

It takes a certain kind of discipline to show up for work on time each day. You're boss is expecting you to be there.  It takes the same kind of discipline to show up prepared for school each morning.  Your teacher will be taking attendance and your parents will be expecting you bring home a passing grade.

But what about when no one is watching, waiting, or expecting anything of you?  When you have no one to impress or let down other than yourself? When the alarm goes off on a cold and uninviting morning and there is nothing awaiting you but the dark and empty streets, and still you rise, you dress, and you run. This takes another kind of discipline all together.

Running is one of the few things that we do exclusively for ourselves. Our goals are personal and our failures and accomplishments are as well. The choice to continue running or to put our shoes in the closet for the last time is entirely our own. And we own it entirely.

Whether we are responsible for raising a child or caring for someone in our lives, depended upon by a boss, or relied on by a friend, our ability to "come through" for others is directly related to our ability to "come through" for ourselves.  And every run is an opportunity to do just that.

Just a few thoughts to run with....

More on our weekly group runs, some upcoming races in and around Portland, and the progress we've made on our 2012 goals coming soon.

Happy running from X-City

Remembering MLK

As many of us are enjoying a day off from work (and spending a portion of it making up the miles we missed during yesterdays cold snap) I wanted to take the time to honor the great civil rights leader who's birthday we are collectively -but often unconsciously-celebrating. 

The following 5 mini-bio is a powerful reminder of all that MLK lived for, fought for, and ultimately gave his life for: http://youtu.be/3ank52Zi_S0

However you're spending the holiday I'd urge you to turn your thoughts, even briefly, to the courage and dedication of Dr. King and question what areas of our society are still dominated by racism and segregation. And what we can do to carry on MLK's legacy through our actions in the year ahead.

Happy Martin Luther King day and happy running from X-City.