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Meet the Man Who Created a 200-Mile Race to Reconnect with His Ancestors

POM Administrator — Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:49:04 +0000

At a young age, Phillip Kwa’han Espinoza witnessed the destructive forces of drugs, alcohol, and imprisonment, a fate he was determined to avoid for himself.

Espinoza transformed his life’s trajectory by embracing running to sever the cycle of family trauma. Now, as an ultrarunner and race director, he is committed to shaping connections between the trail running and Native communities in Southern California. In this process, he founded —an organization that seamlessly joins athleticism with cultural restoration.

The “Red Road” represents a symbolic path from , an Oglala Lakota Medicine Man (1863-1950) that guides individuals toward living harmoniously with their community and the natural world. A few notable red road guardrails include connection with nature, respect for all life forms, balance, humility, gratitude, and a commitment to non-violence and peace. Conversely, the “Black Road” is a path of addiction, greed, insatiable desires, arrogance, dishonesty, and revenge.

A Trail of Rediscovery

Espinoza, 35, was raised on the Mesa Grande Indian Reservation, a pocket of the country where poverty, drug abuse, and alcoholism are common. Early on, Espinoza knew he wanted a different path. Espinoza focused on a sobriety journey after having family members incarcerated and watching cousins die in their 30s from liver cirrhosis. Living the generational trauma of his tribal community, he consciously broke the harmful cycle of those before him.

As a member of the Kumeyaay tribe, he is part of a community with a rich history that covers a vast area in Riverside and San Diego counties, including the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains.

Espinoza, who lives in Anza, about an hour southeast of Riverside, later discovered an ancestral connection with running through his great uncle Alfonso Soto’s escape from a boarding school in the early 1900s.

“I wasn’t always a runner,” Espinoza says. “I have a story about my great uncle Alfonso Soto, who was forcibly taken to a boarding school in Riverside. It was about 90 miles away from his home, and he ran away from that school—he ran back home.”

“And that story was circulated in my family for a long time,” he adds. “When thinking about it, ‘Do I have any runners in my family?’ I couldn’t really find any in the current generation. So, I look back a little bit further. And that’s when I remembered my great uncle, Alfonso Soto’s story about him running away, and I recreated that run in 2013.”

Motivated by his family history, Espinoza committed a year to training in preparation to recreate his uncle’s journey back home.

Espinoza embarked on a three-day spirit run, tracing his great uncle’s path from the historic Sherman Indian School in Riverside to the serene landscapes of Mesa Grande. It was an homage to his family’s struggles and a guide towards a future where running would keep him on a healing path.

Creating the San Diego 200

For years, Espinoza had been mulling the idea of running a 200-mile loop around San Diego, the Kumeyaay Indigenous land. He wanted the route to showcase the natural beauty of San Diego, from the stunning coastline to the peaks of Cuyamaca.

“I created this route entirely from memory with no watch or GPS assistance,” Espinoza says. “This event showcases what special beauty we have here and provides a life-changing experience for the select few brave enough to accept the challenge.”

In November 2020, Espinoza completed the run around San Diego, finishing in 61.5 hours. Beyond the physical feat, this run held a profound cultural significance.

“That was the first time anybody’s done a 200-miler around San Diego,” Kwa’han Espinoza says. “I know 200-mile races are kind of popular these days. But my thing has always been that Indigenous people have a long history of long-distance running. My purpose with running became a personal mission to revive it as part of our culture in Southern California.”

After the experience, he opened it up to a limited number of individuals who could participate in the —from Escondido to Torrey Pines, Torrey Pines to downtown Chula Vista. From there, runners trek east to Alpine and Descanso before ascending the peaks of Cuyamaca. The route continues to the historic town of Julian, looping through San Isabel and Mesa Grande until returning to the start point.

Indigenous Diversity and Bridging Communities

Kwa’han Espinoza’s running journey is deeply rooted in his desire to reconnect Native communities with running and diversify the sport.

“There are these efforts to highlight and include more Indigenous runners,” Kwa’han Espinoza explains. “There are talks about, ‘Well, how do you diversify ultrarunning?’ It’s a really long conversation to be had, not something where you can just allow some Native runners to get in (to big events like the Western States).”

It’s a long-term process, exposing the sport to younger Indigenous generations.

“Showing these communities on a regular basis, like having these events be traditional gatherings and having tribal families involved in it,” he says. “That kind of exposure will get them interested in running, and they’ll start running at a younger age, and then you’ll have the Native American Courtney Dauwalters.”

One focus of his mission is to connect ultrarunning and tribal communities. He believes that both spaces can benefit from each other in different ways.

“It’s an opportunity to bridge the two to benefit from each other,” he emphasizes. “The tribal communities benefit by having exposure to these races that they had no idea existed, and the ultra-running community benefits by learning about these tribal communities that are in the area immediately around where they live.”

Kwa’han Espinoza hopes to create lasting connections through events like in October. Participants get the unique opportunity to run on the Cahuilla Indian Reservation, and race entry benefits the tribe’s youth and family programming.

“I have this vision that (Native) youth see these things, and they’re out there at the race or watching these people run,” he says. “It becomes part of the culture like it once was.”

He envisions a future where tribal communities embrace running as a regular part of the culture. “Now, if I go to these tribes and tell them I do 100-mile races, 50-mile races, they’re like, ‘Well, I’ve never heard of such a thing.’ I want it to become normalized, part of our culture again, because that’s what we used to do. We used to run and deliver messages from the ocean to the desert. But now—like many parts of our culture—it’s dying.”

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How Western States 100 Champion Courtney Dauwalter Keeps Running Simple

POM Administrator — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:07:41 +0000

In a world where fitness tracking devices and high-tech training plans dominate the running scene, ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter has found success by keeping things simple.

Dauwalter’s love for running started at a young age, with the Presidential Fitness Test in elementary school. “I started running in elementary school when we had to run the mile for gym class,” she said. “I remember loving it. I really liked how it felt to run, and I really liked how I could push myself as hard as I wanted.”

In 1997, Dauwalter’s passion for running evolved when she joined the cross-country team at her Minnesota high school. “When I joined the cross-country team, a whole social element got added to running that made me fall in love with it even more,” she said.

But as many runners know, it’s easy to lose sight of the joy of running amid pressure to achieve personal records and track every metric imaginable. Unlike many in the endurance space, Dauwalter does not use Strava, though she does still think it’s a great tool for others.

Following Dauwalter’s course record victory at Western States this year, as the she has found success by sticking to her roots and embracing a simple approach to training. She has not worked with a running coach since she her high school cross-country days. Her strategy includes a flexible training plan that allows for rest days, spontaneous runs, and a mindset that focuses on the joy of the movement.

“I think it’s important to stay in touch with why you love running,” Dauwalter said.

Dauwalter’s evergreen approach is atypical. But should it be? Her process has paid off, with impressive performances in ultra-marathons. But Dauwalter’s success is not just measured in podiums and race times. For her, running is a way to connect with nature and others who share her love for the sport.

As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern fitness culture, perhaps we can learn something from Dauwalter’s approach. By embracing the childlike joy of running and simplifying our approach to training, we may find that the movement becomes more meaningful and enjoyable.

Keeping Things Loose (After Coffee)

Unlike many of her peers, Dauwalter shuns the rigidity of a training regimen and doesn’t obsess over the particulars.

“Every morning after coffee, I’ll decide what my run is for the day based on how my body and brain are feeling,” she said. “Sometimes that’s a long run on some of my favorite trails, or summiting a local peak, or it might feel like a great day for hill repeats or intervals, and some days I won’t really know what I’m doing until I leave the house and let my feet choose the route.”

Her daily runs typically last between two and four hours, and, while she may know when a race is coming up, she decides what her training will look like based on how she feels physically and mentally.

“I think it’s important to stay in touch with why you love running,” Dauwalter said.

“There are so many ways to train, enjoy, and go after running goals. Having a training plan, using devices and analyzing data, or not doing any of those things, are all great options,” she explained. “I think it depends on the person and how they find joy. But I also think there is no downside to occasionally leaving the watch at home and heading out the door for a run where you just listen to your body and not worry about metrics.”

Her general approach involves listening to her body and not following a predetermined plan, allowing her to focus on the experience rather than the results. For instance, if she’s training for a race with a lot of climbing, she’ll incorporate more mountain runs into her routine.

Over the years, Dauwalter has focused on being more adaptive to her body. She stays in tune with her emotions and doesn’t take things too seriously. She approaches her training with a sense of playfulness, which keeps her motivated and engaged.

Dauwalter’s cheerfully unconcerned approach to training is the exact opposite of what you might expect from a world-class athlete. Rather than obsessing over sleep metrics and biomarkers, she keeps her routine flexible and listens to her body. She doesn’t overthink her diet, instead opting to eat what looks good, sounds good, or is most convenient. Some of her favorites include nachos, pancakes, gummy bears, Snickers, and root beer.

“I almost always just go running without a structured plan. I am usually wearing a watch that can tell me data, but I am not looking at this during my run,” said Dauwalter. “I find the most joy when I leave my house and let my feet be the tour guides.”

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Without a predetermined plan, she’s learned to tune into her body and react accordingly. Her approach permits her to pay close attention to what her body tells her and avoid disregarding symptoms or signs that she should change course.

The basics of enjoying the processes are essential for Dauwalter. She does better when she’s not holding too tightly to any piece of running. The flexibility of her training keeps things fresh and fun.

(Photo: Martina Valmassoi)

Take a Break from the Gadgets

“Sometimes our gadgets can get in the way of our enjoyment of the run,” said Dauwalter. “The gadgets are cool, but so is the simplicity of running.”

Her primary approach helps in races when things inevitably get challenging. She speaks about turning to her mental “filing cabinet” and “telling herself jokes” to overcome the obstacles of the mind and body she’s trained in.

Moreover, her decluttered training style extends to the simplicity of using breathing and mindfulness exercises to focus on the calm of the trails. Keeping it simple helps push through demanding times. Focusing on her breathing or looking at the trail where she’s headed can bring peace in trying moments.

Dauwalter’s intuitive running style may not be for everyone, but the approach can provide a refreshing change of pace. Dauwalter’s lower-intensity mindset offers a powerful reminder that running can be as simple as putting on our shoes and heading out the door.

“It really can be just you out in nature with the sound of your breathing and footsteps, rolling with the terrain at whatever pace feels good that day,” she said. “I try to run like this as much as possible.”

Ben Pryor (Choctaw) is a contributing writer for several national and regional publications, including Native News Online and Indian Country Today. He has graduate degrees in Political Science (American Politics) and Philosophy (Philosophy of Language). His writing interests include running, politics, and the environment.

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Callie Vinson Believes in Herself

POM Administrator — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 16:40:39 +0000

The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run has been a canvas for inspiration, competition, and perseverance for five decades. Runners from varied backgrounds come together each year to celebrate the simple yet powerful act of movement.

For , this year’s Western States will serve as a celebration of her ten-year journey of personal transformation. In 2013, the for brunch tripped alarms for Vinson.

“One day, one of my friends wanted to go to brunch, and they were like, ‘It’s just down the street. We can walk there,’” Vinson recalled. “In my head, I was like, ‘There’s no way I can walk to brunch. It’s too painful. It was a mile away.’ And that was where I said, ‘You know what? I really need to make some sort of change.’”

Ten years and thousands of miles later, Vinson is showing everyone that change is possible if you believe in yourself.

This year, Vinson, 36, a body-positive runner from Scottsdale, Arizona, will be racing with a and sponsorship. Rising Hearts is an Indigenous-led grassroots organization dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices and fostering intersectional collaborations to pursue racial, social, climate, and economic justice.

“I couldn’t be more honored and grateful for the opportunity to run this,” said Vinson. “When I first learned about Western States at the beginning of my health journey, I immediately thought, ‘This race sounds insane, one hundred miles on trails. People aren’t sleeping. It just sounds impossible.’ And it’s funny because now we are so close to standing at the start line. I’m so excited and want to savor every step.”

From Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, Vinson will traverse the Western States Trail, passing through the traditional lands of the Nisenan, Washoe, and other neighboring Indigenous Peoples. This iconic race encompasses over 18,000 feet of climbing and nearly 23,000 feet of descent.

Building Kinship and Fostering Change

“Everywhere you go, you will always be on someone’s ancient and ancestral homelands,” said Celia Camargo, Director of Community and Purpose of GU Energy Labs. “We did not learn the truth of Indigenous histories, presence, or worldviews in school. Through partnering with Rising Hearts and supporting Callie on her journey to the Western States Endurance run start line this Saturday, I’m learning these histories of the Washoe and Nisenan communities, and am changing and expanding my perspective of the world.”

Awareness of Indigenous histories and worldviews underscores the importance of cultivating a respectful connection to the land.

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“If we see ourselves as relatives to the land and each other, we naturally have more care and compassion and act as if the land is a part of us,” said Camargo. “Being a good relative means acknowledging a respectful connection to the land you work, live, and play on. We’re so proud to support Rising Hearts and their Running on Native Lands initiative—a commitment to fostering inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences while acknowledging that the land we’re privileged to enjoy is stolen.”

The collaboration between Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs represents a commitment to building kinship, understanding, and inclusivity. Rising Hearts spoke about the partnership and the importance of continuously improving and learning from one another.

“Callie is such a shining example of someone who exudes positivity,” said Rising Hearts founder and executive director Jordan Marie Whetstone. “She has an inspiring story to share about what motivated her to begin running, and a moment that changed her perspective and way of living to lead a healthier life.”

Vinson’s journey showcases her unwavering positivity and highlights her transformation, motivating others to lead healthier lives, physically and mentally.

“She’s an advocate for self-love and body positivity, something we need to see and hear more of in the running industry and in general,” said Whetstone. “She’s the athlete advocate we look for, want to support, and learn from. This is a continuation of what kinship-building looks like,” said Whetstone. “We are always learning from each other and looking for ways to improve for next time. We are just grateful for the kindness, patience, and support from those we have collaborated with in 2022 and now, 2023.”

Vinson’s experience at Western States is poised to create a ripple effect, inspiring runners and fostering positive change within the running community.

“Callie’s a true inspiration and exudes joy,” said Camargo, echoing Whetstone. “She speaks of the journey to find her confidence and the importance of advocating body diversity and inclusivity within outdoor spaces. We must love and appreciate ourselves and celebrate what our bodies can do.”

Most recently, Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs have joined forces to capture and share Vinson’s inspiring journey in the Know To Run series. This is being made through . They have documented Vinson’s training to compete in a 100-mile trail race, championing body positivity, representation, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. The film also embodies the essence of acquiring knowledge, implementing what we learn, and practicing respect as good stewards of ourselves, each other, and the land.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD9Mz7PMRZI

Vinson’s Road to the Big Dance

“This is the first 100-mile race I have trained for with a proper plan and a coach,” said Vinson. Coach and partner was a top-ten finisher in last year’s Western States.

“While I’m training to just finish Western States with the back-of-pack runners, he’s training to compete with the leaders,” she said. “It’s been exciting to share the journey with someone else, even if our training looks very different. In the past, I would just do whatever felt right. But having a structured plan and a coach for this training cycle has made me feel really positive about the entire process.”

Vinson’s training focus for this cycle has been twofold: First, honing in on finding a sustainable pace for the uphills while, second, dedicating substantial time to running form for the downhill sections.

“For this training cycle, we really focused on finding that smooth and slow pace for the uphills, and then lots of practice was just running form for the downhills because if you don’t have a great form on the downhill, that’s going to tear your quads up, and it’s not going to be a good time,” said Vinson.

Reflecting on last month’s training camp, Vinson fondly remembered the experience of running on the Western States course alongside a community of fellow runners, immersing themselves in the energy and camaraderie of the trail running community.

“She’s an advocate for self-love and body positivity, something we need to see and hear more of in the running industry and in general.”

“It was so magical,” Vinson recalled of the training camp. “Just being out on the Western States course with all these other runners feeling the energy of the whole trail community, and just exploring the lands. I loved how it wasn’t just people in the race at the camp, but all types of runners who may have been training for a different race or planning to pace a friend for the race.”

Magda Boulet, Callie Vinson, Keely Henninger, and Adam Kimble. (Photo: Celia Camargo)

Vinson highlighted the significant efforts made by Rising Hearts and GU Energy Labs to advance the sport while fostering awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures and history.

“What Rising Hearts and GU are doing to progress the sport and educate runners on Indigenous cultures and history, I think it’s so important to build a more inclusive and diverse running industry,” explained Vinson. “The fact that I get to play a part in this movement, teaming up to continue to build a more inclusive and diverse community, and also putting my spin on it with body positivity, I think it will be so incredibly powerful for us three to come together and share this journey at Western States and continue to raise the voices and the communities.”

In a broader context, this aligns with Vinson’s message with others, encouraging individuals to pursue their dreams and embrace endeavors that may initially seem unfamiliar.

“You just have to believe you’re capable of whatever you want to get out of life. This isn’t a rehearsal for another life,” said Vinson. “This is it, so if you just believe in something that you really want to go after, if there’s something that’s in your heart that you want to try or you’re thinking, ‘This isn’t me, but I want to do this,’ go after it. Believe in yourself because you have what it takes to get it done. Just like Western States, it might take everything you’ve got, but you definitely have what it takes.”

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A Ukrainian and a Russian Are Currently Running 3,100 Miles Around a New York City Block for Peace

ntriolo — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 13:37:17 +0000

The air is stale on the 40th day of running around an unremarkable city block in Queens, New York City.

Commuters rush along to work, coffee in hand, as the 55-year old Russian Vasu Duzhiy clips off his 2,500th mile, while his 52-year old Ukrainian counterpart Stutisheel Lebedev reaches mile 2,312 with a subtle gesture of prayer. They run for peace and do so with heavy hearts in the wake of the tragic events unfolding in their homelands.

The invasion of Ukraine in late February has brought much uncertainty to the region. The Kremlin received international condemnation after illegally invading Ukrainian territory, claiming it as part of Russia. Russia’s unprovoked action in Ukraine is Europe’s most significant military escalation since World War II. Like most conflicts, a formative struggle over power is at the heart of the dispute. Putin sees the two countries as one people. He sees them as familial, and they should be in charge.

Vasu Duzhiy, Day 29 of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race. (Photo: Alakananda Lebedeva)

Despite the events in Ukraine, these two runners from the region are displaying humanity’s innate potential for peace and love through the .

Along with ten other participants, Stutisheel is a former CEO of a tech firm from Kyiv, Ukraine, and Duzhiy is a foreman in a lumber company from St. Petersburg, Russia. The two highlight the shared humanity between us through the teachings of , what the race represents, and the two runners’ insights — despite ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe.

The Origins of the Race

In 1997, the spiritual teacher, athlete, and humanitarian Sri Chinmoy (1931-2007) founded the Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race. From his adolescent years at an ashram in India, Sri Chinmoy was an advocate for world peace.

The race takes place annually, with runners traversing a .55-mile loop 5,649 times around a sports field, playground, and high school in the New York City neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens. Runners have 52 days to complete the 3,100 miles around the half-mile block. To complete the run within the allotted time frame, participants must average 60 miles daily. The course opens each morning at 6 a.m. and closes at midnight, alternating directions each day. Along the busy New York City streets, runners must weave through those with whom they share the concrete sidewalks.

The event is the longest certified road race in the world and was chronicled in 2018 by James Beard Award-winning filmmaker Sanjay Rawal in . Rawal explores the race’s essence through sharing other running cultures, too.

“I’ve had the opportunity to document a number of traditional running cultures, from the Navajo and Hopi to the San Bushmen of the Kalahari and the Marathon Monks of Japan,” said Rawal. “Everything I saw in those cultures’ practices is embodied by the 3100.”

Rawal captures the essence of the human spirit and inspiration that has propelled the race forward since its inception. The self-transcendence aspect is the bedrock of Sri Chinmoy’s teachings and a cornerstone for the runners. A key marker of the race is to leverage the infinite spiritual power within.

Duzhiy, the Russian runner, explains how our relationships with one another crystalize this. “If I live in peace with other men, I should have this man in my heart, and this man has me in his heart. Only in this case can we say that we are living in peace,” said Duzhiy. “We cannot say that peace is when one guy is superior to another. We cannot say peace is superiority; that’s peace only for those who are on the top.”

During such difficult times, Sri Chinmoy’s message and race provides a beacon of peace.

“This race serves as a tool for humanity to promote more peace in the world,” said Duzhiy. “Sri Chinmoy says that ‘Real peace is between people based on love, acceptance, and self-respect,’” referencing a passage by Chinmoy:

World-peace
Can be achieved
When the power of love
Replaces
The love of power.

– Sri Chinmoy, 1997, Peace-Lovers

Drawing upon Hindu principles, Sri Chinmoy’s teachings explain as striving to do better than we did before. It is self-improvement by pushing beyond our previous accomplishments, capacities, and results. The 3100-Mile Race serves as a platform for affirmation of his teachings on self-transcendence, an opportunity to exemplify each participant’s hidden potential.

The Race Through Their Eyes

With the help of a translator, Vasu Duzhiy underscored his message of peace and respect for humanity when speaking of the race.

“This race is the goal of my life. It helps me to make my spiritual progress,” said Duzhiy. “Through this race, we inspire people around us to be better citizens of this world and to transcend themselves.”

While still on the move during the race, Duzhiy explained how the event is an endless source of inner peace and inspiration. “Through this race, I gain peace and happiness,” he said. “I’m really joyful running this race. This race is very long, and it inspires me for self-transcendence and reminds me about my own inner race that never ends.”

For the Ukrainian runner, Stutisheel Lebedev, the race is precious because it serves as a conduit to discover hidden capacities and inner strength.

“This race is the best practice, the best training for crisis management. To be positive. To have a plan B. To never give up. To go one more step further when you feel you cannot,” said Lebedev. “It’s an amazing learning opportunity as well. It’s really hard. It’s a tough race because of conditions; it’s the longest race in the world!”

“This race is very long, and it inspires me for self-transcendence and reminds me about my own inner race that never ends.”

The multifaceted aspects of the race bring unique challenges. The concrete surface of the race wears on the body over time. Given the excessive nature of the event, runners often perform surgical adjustments to their shoes, removing the toe box or cutting out the heels to alleviate pressure on their swollen feet. Runners often tape their entire feet to prevent excess damage.

After taping his big toe and the ball of his foot, Lebedev will go through 12 pairs of shoes on this run, while Duzhiy occasionally wears sandals to run.

Stutisheel Lebedev, Day 24 of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race (Photo: Alakananda Lebedeva)

“It’s pretty challenging for your body, but the good thing is our bodies are quite flexible,” said Lebedev. “With the right approach, you can train the body. You can train your spirits. You can also train what I call the inner strength when everything is combined.”

Between gulps of coconut water, Lebedev explained how their efforts may inspire people, an expression of humanity’s unlimited ability to achieve goals.

“To quote Sri Chinmoy, ‘We are truly unlimited if only we have faith in ourselves and dare to try,’” said Lebedev. “So, we are daring to try to finish the race. And I think this inspiration goes worldwide.”

Indeed, much of this inspiration is having a tangible influence in Ukraine.

“I just spoke with one of my students, whom I train in running,” said Lebedev. “She’s in the military, almost on the frontline. But she’s watching our progress. And when I got to halfway, she was so inspired. She told me, ‘Let you win yourself, let you win your inner spirit’s race, and we will win the war here in Ukraine.’” Lebedev took a pause. “We see that inspiration and motivation is spreading like wildfire.”

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