Prat de l”Arp Catalunya (& Vertical Arp Finish Line) June 22, 2018
“When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”
(Benjamin Franklin)
By my estimate, I would guess there are about 100 runners lined up underneath the inflatable, logo-blazoned start banner that extends over a narrow mountain road that cuts in half the Catalan village of Sorribes.
Sorribes is small — with less than a dozen houses and one agricultural building marked by a worn out tractor with its 4 flat tires and rusted out engine.
The Pyrenees Mountains soar around me and I feel compressed on the valley floor. The views are far ranging and undeniably breathtaking.
The “Vertial Arp” mountain trail race begins at 10am sharp, with a one kilometer run down a long storybook stretch of asphalt road. Then it gets tricky as I, and a herd of racers, separate out and ascend 1,000 meters up a twisty dirt path weaved through tall fir and beech trees.
Far off in the distance — 7 kilometers away — the finish line sits atop the tallest peak in a patch of meadow grass above the timberline. Even the peak’s name feels out of reach: Prat de l’Arp.
I am ready to see the finish line on this day.
The first third of this climb is a struggle. What lies ahead of me and the other competitors is outright survival.
Just as in many other projects, practices, routines, or phases… a finish line is commonly perceived as:
The end
The result
The reward
The recognition
We are taught early in life that the finish line is what matters. If we can just cross that line, our efforts will be validated and we will be handed an well-earned rest.
But in this race, on this morning, at THIS finish line there is something more valuable than the cheers of spectators and congratulatory remarks from colleagues. This finish line is an end to self-inflicted discomfort. And it is finish lines like this one that feel elusive. Will I ever get there?
By its very nature, a line has two sides. And you can’t cross one side of a line without stepping into the other side.
It is this second side of the finish line that doesn’t receive much attention.
It is this second side that is more worthy of our attention.
This second side will call into question everything we are told about the first side of the line.
The second side of a finish line immediately introduces us to a start line where anything new can begin.
To mindfully cross the whole finish line opens the path to more movement, creativity, and change.
When we choose to “never finish,” we choose to always start.
With gratitude,
Joe
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And, if reading this post makes you want to pursue your whole finish line with me in here La Seu d’Urgell, just message me at [email protected] and I’ll tell you how we can make this happen.
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