Bagnères-de-Bigorre

One year ago, you would have told me I would be going on a trip consisting of running daily on trails, after a 4-month intensive physical training, I would have probably smiled sarcastically, if not laughed hysterically. Sure, I can hike, I can jog, but I do not have the identity of a runner, or hard-core athlete.

But my dear friend since high school saw one of my posts after a 10k in November of last year and somehow convinced me to join her in an adventure gathering other women who are dedicated to fitness, epicure and travel. And next thing I knew, I was discovering the Midi-Pyrénées, in France, after over two decades of not having set foot in this land of my ancestors on the paternal side. It was a challenge to not fall in love with the place, but also the group of women who decided to land in the unknown while being haunted by the same question that tormented me. At some point or another, the majority of us wondered, ''vais-je être capable ?'', (''will I be able to do this ?''). Thanks to our guide, coach, kinesiologist and organizer of Une Fille Qui Court (A Girl Who Runs), Catherine Morasse, we were offered resources and tips to prepare adequately for this trip. Once there, we were welcomed by her, and Frédéric Bernes, her partner, and other local volunteers who were so positive, encouraging and enthusiastic that it dissipated any remaining self-doubt.

Bagnères-de-Bigorre was simply charming and idyllic. It was the perfect town to recharge after the morning run. 

(Left: Villa du Bonvouloir, where we stayed, slept well and had happy hour or communal dinner like the ''Touskis'' :). Middle and right: façades from Bagnères with large windows with shutters I never get tired of).

Here are some of the major benefits that make me want to maintain a jogging practice, even if it is only once a week:

1. 1. Running turns out ruminations or negative thinking: by setting one’s body in motion, and for several minutes, we start inhabiting the body more by being directly in touch with the earth. This groundedness allows us to more easily disconnect from incessant mental activity, especially in a world bombarded with info susceptible to elicit fear responses and catastrophic scenarios. 

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Left: Frédéric guiding our group. Right: Karina and me posing at the market.

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2. 2. Sense of freedom and subsequent wellbeing: when we feel stuck or facing an impasse, putting one step in front of the other can generate a sense of relief from not only running away from unpleasantness but running towards new horizons, and maybe even our dreams. It provides therefore a sense of renewed freedom, self-efficacy and agency. The freedom from any membership or specific, not to say oppressive dress code can also eliminate obstacles to a regular practice, regardless of external conditions (meteorological, socioeconomical etc).

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3. 3. Enhanced spirituality: running helps cultivating gratitude (towards nature, and for the ability to move one’s body) and an expansion of awareness. I remember when I ran my first 10k during a fundraiser. Instead of letting self-doubt invade me and feel intimidated by the anticipated, not to say dreadful, distance, I stayed curious, in the moment, and as I paid attention to my whole experience, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone through this new challenge was a great opportunity to expand my awareness and free up even more space for gratitude (for the pleasant autumn weather, the fresh morning, the beautiful neighborhood, the various bands playing, the water volunteers handed us, and for the sense of belonging to a community that wanted to run for a good cause and stay healthy). This shift in my perception of this physical challenge even added the joy element to jogging. 

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4. 4. Motivation to take better care of oneself. As we are more physically active, we feel more motivated to eat healthier, and vice-versa. Once we move our body more, we naturally want to feed it with good nutrients, creating a virtuous cycle because the good energy from an improved diet and a better lifestyle in general can be a motivation to move more. While I had filled my luggage with all kinds of energy bars and even tried a gel with those electrolytes, I was not very inclined to rely solely on those and eventually switched to a whole wheat slice of bread with brie to savor on the summit after a hike-jog because, like Frédéric said as he quoted an expert on the subject ''c'est important d'avoir du plaisir'' en mangeant (it is important to have pleasure as we eat). As part of the package, we also had access to Aquensis, a centre thermo-ludique where our sore muscles could find some relief in the whirlpools, pool with different jets and showers, a hammam (a bit too hot and claustrophobogenic for me, but I admired the Turkish-like tiles nonetheless), sweet peppermint tea dispensed through a faucet, and even a pool that smelled Like Dentyne chewing gum with music underwater that provided a pleasant meditative experience.

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5. 5. Running can make introverts, extraverts and ambiverts fulfilled. Running doesn’t discriminate. It can be suitable for any temperament. Even though it is often a solitary activity, the possibilities for bonding are present and its benefits abound. One can find jogging partners or join groups. The program that I signed up for to be part of this trip, A Girl Running (Une Fille Qui Court) promoted fitness, general wellbeing, joy, and confidence with fun, inclusive experiences that inspire growth. 

Left: with my roommate, Chantal. Right: us plus Anne-Marie,
Valérie, Jacinthe, Johanne and Julie

6. 6. Improvement of endurance, cardio-pulmonary function, weight, general health, prognosis of certain conditions, and body image. As an exercise, running can help prevent or delay aging-related medical conditions such as dementia, osteoporosis... I feel like the training plus the trip were a precious gift to my body, heart and soul.

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7. 7. Way to connect with the four elements of nature, which allows more grounding in the present moment, and better lifestyle hygiene: touching the earth, drinking water to stay hydrated or run under the rain (it even hailed on our last hike, the Cirque de Gavarnie !), breathing fresh air, and fire through body heat and caloric burning. Because sensations in the body are likely to be amplified compared to a walk (faster breathing, sensation on joints from impact, increased vigilance to avoid stumbling on obstacles etc), jogging is also a great opportunity to expand self-awareness, a key to mindful living and general wellbeing. I felt such positive emotions while there that I recorded a video to share my felt experience as materials for my YouTube channel, Dr G's Dandelion Monologues.

Based on the above, it is not surprising to note that runners are often positive, enthusiastic, and resilient people. I also found inspiration among the incredible women who ran alongside me. Their kindness, humor, support and balanced approach to life gave me the motivation to make some profound changes in my own path.

The newly found enthusiasm, positive vibe and self-confidence followed me, and were sustained in such a way that even though I came back to my same difficult life circumstances, I felt more grounded (part of it being due to the encounter with the ''Mary energy'' - see previous blogpost), to the point that I faced challenges in my life with equanimity. Like a rock, a mountain, a forest.