Jenn Shelton is an elite young ultramarathon trail runner. Christopher McDougall is an unreliable but entertaining narrator, author of Born to Run (2009). In Chapter 22 he shares Shelton's insight:

"I never really discussed this with anyone because it sounds pretentious, but I started running ultras to become a better person," Jenn told me. "I thought if you could run one hundred miles, you'd be in this Zen state. You'd be the fucking Buddha, bringing peace and a smile to the world. It didn't work in my case—I'm the same old punk-ass as before—but there's always that hope that it will turn you into the person you want to be, a better, more peaceful person.

"When I'm out on a long run," she continued, "the only thing in life that matters is finishing the run. For once, my brain isn't going blehblehbleh all the time. Everything quiets down, and the only thing going on is pure flow, It's just me and the movement and the motion. That's what I love—just being a barbarian, running through the woods."

... a sweet summary of the zen mantra "No Goals!" ...

(cf. Miracles and Wonders (2007-03-31), Running to Stand Still (2008-07-05), Finding the Quiet (2009-12-05), Running to Run (2011-04-11), Quiet in There (2011-05-31), Mantra - Mind Like Water (2015-05-04), ...) - ^z - 2015-09-12