Hey everyone!
Sorry it’s been a while, as you know this is just me trying to do something positive in the world and I definitely don’t always have the time or inclination. I am only human after all!
However, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Virginia Craft, who, like everyone else has their own unique take on running and what it means to them – same, same… but different! That’s why I am doing these interviews, we all share one thing in common, but every single person has their own story to tell to which we can relate and hopefully find inspiration.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Where are you from, who you are, that kind of thing?
I’m Virginia Craft and I live remotely at high elevation in the mountains of Colorado. Where I’m “from” originally is not where I feel the strongest connection. I’ve lived in many places across the US and some in other countries. The place that has truly felt like home to me is where I spent many years: Big Sur, California. Now, Colorado is starting to feel like home as well.
For the past few years, I’ve been living and working at a long-term meditation retreat center in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Meditation as a means to cultivate a balanced and healthy mind in order to be a better person and help others to do the same is of utmost importance to me, and it’s to what I’ve dedicated my life.
I can’t imagine what it is like to live in such a dramatic place. I know I live in the beautiful rolling hills of Yorkshire Paradise! But the Colorado Mountains are something else. An image search returns a riot of colour!
I share the same philosophy, although of course often fail, let’s come back to this later, but first:
How long have you been running and what made you start running?
I started running more seriously at the beginning of 2015, and it’s been off and on since then. It’s funny, I don’t really consider myself to be a runner, even though I’ve very much loved it over the years. Foremost, I’ve been a thru-hiker—backpacking trails and off-trail high routes end-to-end—and a backpacker and hiker, in general. I initially started trail running in between planned thru-hikes in order to build my endurance and strength. I discovered that it not only improved my ability to hike long distances but also increased my agility, balance, and coordination in the mountains. I was in love!
That’s cool, I like it when accomplished runners are so modest and hey, you have basically just described an aspect of Fell Running, especially the longer distance stuff. These sports are very complementary.
What is your favourite thing about running?
I love the confidence that I’ve gained from trail running and off-trail running. I feel strong, capable, and much more at ease moving through the backcountry. When I find my flow, I feel deeply in harmony with my natural surroundings, navigating the terrain with both grace and strength. Additionally, I love how meditative it feels to be so connected to my breath while running, as well as how attention sharpens when running on and off trails, as each movement requires full presence to maintain balance and avoid missteps.
Perfect! I hope everyone can feel these things for themselves at least once in their lives. Such vital energy.
What is your greatest achievement in your running?
Never having paticipated in any races or similar events, my “achievements” are internal. Sticking through the beginning phase of running when building a running base in my body, and progressing slowly and steadily to be able to do longer runs with more ease is a success, in my eyes. Also, the times I’ve dabbled in skyrunning made me feel very confident and capable—a personal achievement of sorts!
Skyrunning is a new term to me I am going to have to investigate, although I can imagine, and that does indeed sound like quite an achievement. You are absolutely correct though, the true achievements are never made in the races, it’s all the work leading up to them – races are indeed 100% optional!
“an endurance pursuit of the mind, aiming to cultivate greater loving-kindness, compassion, and psychological flexibility”
What are the greatest challenges you have faced in your running?
Definitely “too much, too soon” injuries. At times, I’ve become so ensconced in the runner’s high that I overdo it, and end up getting injured. I feel like I’ve slowly and painstakingly learned that lesson now, so I don’t push it in that same way, but it’s taken me an embarrassingly long time to do so.
Oh, I hear you! Too many times!! Here’s to injury free running!
How have you overcome these challenges?
I’ve learned to temper my excitement and stay focused on the long-term goal of running sustainably, rather than getting carried away by the thrill of the moment, pushing too hard, and risking injury that ultimately sets me back.
Same, slow and steady is the way. Good work. That is the ultimate achievement I think, at least for me it always seems that way given my rather shaky start in life.
Do you have a favourite bit of running gear?
This is true for thru-hiking and backpacking, as well as for running, but the duo of Injinji socks with Altra Lone Peak shoes is a love affair for my feet. I’m also crazy about Bedrock “Cairn” sandals to hike and run in when it’s not too cold and snowy—I could live in these sandals!
Oh nice! I like Darn Tough merino, but I also have some of the Injinji toe socks and the Altra Lone Peak are my number one shoe – what a coincidence. It took a while for me to get used to the zero drop, but I love them and can’t ever imagine going back.
If you could run anywhere in the world, where would you run and why?
I can’t say that I’ve fantasized about running anywhere in the world, but I have certainly dreamt of traveling to and backpacking in many places in the world. To be very general, running in natural settings with few people and many mountains, is a foundational ongoing aspiration. I can say that one of my favorite areas to run in the US, along with the mountains, is the Southwest deserts.
Wow yes! They look amazing, I would love to run there one day too for sure!
If you were to offer one piece of advice to anyone starting out running, what would it be?
Take it slow and be patient. In any given session, stop running when you feel like you could keep going, instead of pushing farther and risking overuse injuries. Stopping at this point has the added benefit of ending your run on a good note, thereby motivating you to get out for another run next time.
Even though I know this already, I am taking your words to heart and reminding myself that there is nothing but truth here.
What are your current plans, goals, objectives?
At the start of the new year, I will be embarking upon a strict, open-ended, long-term meditation retreat here at the Tibetan Buddhist hermitage where I live. In modern day culture, we often admire physical endurance pursuits, celebrating those who push their bodies to achieve great feats.
This retreat is similar, but is an endurance pursuit of the mind, aiming to cultivate greater loving-kindness, compassion, and psychological flexibility, with the aspiration of becoming a better person and, ultimately, helping others do the same.
I recently started running again after a break so that I can have it as a tool in my long-term meditation retreat toolbelt to help maintain physical fitness and, thereby, aid in the cultivation of mental fitness and pliancy.
Now that’s what I call going off-trail. I hadn’t made the connection in this way before, but the way you describe it is beautiful and inspiring. Fell Running is often about running where there is no path, the ground uncertain, in a small way it is a step into the unknown and certainly beyond our comfort zone. Of course, it is only when we go here, that we can ever learn more about ourselves.
I admire your commitment and I am sure all our readers will join me in sincerely wishing you all the very best with your retreat and look forward to seeing you on the other side.
Virginia can be found at the following places, although maybe not for some time!?
Mastodon: https://freeradical.zone/@va
Retreat website: https://laughingwithwolves.com/
Adventure website: https://unboundroutes.com/