Trekking the Himalayas
By Nan Irick
Article in Metro Sports DC Magazine (USA)

….. I am an urbanite, a road-running marathoner. I can handle concrete canyons, bus fumes and potholes, but until I hit the Himalayas my idea of trail running was tackling a gravel path.
I went to Mirik, India, a village nestled in the lush Himalayan
foothills….

….. I planned to run a few miles each day. What better way to get a feel for the terrain and conditions the runners would face than to hoof part of the rugged course myself?

….. The night before the race, I impulsively declared my intention to

tackle the whole distance. And suddenly there I was, alone in the mountains on the flip side of the globe, sparring with treacherous terrain and thin mountain air. Short on proper gear and bereft of technical know-how, I faced the most grueling physical and mental
challenge of my life— and had a life-altering blast of fun in the process. …..

….. Along the way, curious villagers gathered at their doors to greet the thread of odd foreigners venturing past. These locals were the most humbling cheering squads imaginable. Himalayan life is materially sparse, but spiritually rich. All were quick with a “Namaste!” — a traditional Hindu greeting — to keep us safe on our journey…..

….. We found our own brand of luxury in fireside chats, Kingfisher beer and hot porridge and coffee waiting for us in the morning. The climb to Sandakphu brought the sweetest reward at daybreak: the world’s highest peaks were laid out before us like postcard perfection come to life. …..

….. I’d finally met my match. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As yaks ambled by, I laughed and looked around. For hundreds of miles

in every direction were mountains engraved with terraced gardens and dotted with tiny huts. This happens once in a lifetime, I reminded myself. Savor it. A smile is more energy efficient than a grimace, and
every step became easier. Funny, how it took a trip to the other side of the planet for me to learn how to enjoy the process of running from A to B. Marathons had never really been fun for me until they were over. …..

….. I returned from India profoundly changed for the better. The Himalayas taught me that everything in life is relative. In a culture of calm, I rediscovered my passion for the spiritual aspects of running. Untrained and unprepared, I learned to accept what it is to slow down, to look around and to embrace the moment. After all, running, as in life, is not about the finish line, it’s about the road that gets you there. …..