January 28: Humble Pie

January 28: Humble Pie

"Feeling like a beginner is refreshing yet humbling," Matt said as he struggled to find a rhythm learning to skate ski on randonee gear. Nursing a side-stitch, he expanded: "it is so hard to choose to be vulnerable in taking on new and awkward challenges. I guess I'll just have to follow the wisdom of Yoda--'there is no try, only do.'" Tonight we began to practice skate skiing. Including skate skiing in a 40-mile race through the night is about as sane as trying to sprint the first mile of the Boston Marathon. However, there are three key 2-4 K sections on the long course, in which it could be wise to mix up our muscles, give our skinning blisters a rest, and pick up some ground before the spring sun of late March slows the snow into mashed potatoes. If only we can learn to skate modestly and efficiently, we might just enjoy the journey a little rather than add to the pain. No matter what, whether or not we discover that efficient style for those stretches of the course, it is spiritually important to both of us to make choices throughout our lives to be beginners once again. We ask all Choice Pass holders and all Choice Pass supporters to join us in finding the joy of a new learning curve, to find a new form, of laughing at ourselves, and of gritting through frustration until we glide on ice like hockey pucks. Gunnison: put yourself out there; be ok with taking a risk. These are the choices that lead to a healthy and whole life.

MATT AND JOHN ARE SKIING THE GRAND TRAVERSE TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR CHOICE PASS. DONATE TODAY TO HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF $7,500 BY RACE DAY 3/29/2020!

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