Ulises Ricoy: Running In Spirit

Some endurance athletes truly “just do it.” They train. They set goals. They achieve. They endure. Such athletes may enjoy a kind of purity of purpose that unfolds without questioning the self or the ends.

Other endurance athletes follow those same steps, but layer into them what amounts to a deeper or perhaps higher spiritual challenge. For these athletes, endurance events are supremely active metaphors for life itself. The effort taxes the body to test the mind and call upon the spirit.

Such an athlete is one Ulises Ricoy, of Española, New Mexico. And he may be a symbol for many endurance athletes in that second group.

The notion that one’s life reflects one’s name has been debunked by social scientists. While he would never admit it, Ulises might well be the exception, his name and life echoing here and now that mythic figure Ulysses of Ancient Greece.

Trial and tribulation have long been his companions on what he truly sees as the journey of life. Wrestling with the forces that would scuttle his recovery from alcoholism, parsing the mysteries of a neuro-degenerative condition, and coping with the stresses of staff and student turnover as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern New Mexico College, Ulises at times feels like his battles are epic. Wisely, he chooses to tackle them one day at a time.

An outsider might think that adding endurance challenges to the mix would be a mis-step. But not for Ulises. Running has become a way to make all these abstract, intangible factors concrete, tangible and immediate. Running puts him entirely in the moment. And moving through each of those moments is an achievement. Encouraging. Affirming. Even inspiring. Running elevates his self-awareness, takes him to a state of mind he calls “conscious contact.”

By #consciouscontact, Ulises means that he goes beyond self to a zone where he is liberated to pray or talk to his higher power …a spiritual presence that gets him through. He quotes Mooji: “Emptiness is effectively the absence of you. And where there is the absence of you, there shines the presence of God.”

So he started running as a way to “sharpen my life, a way to gain a fresh perspective.” Running is a living metaphor for him — and likely for many endurance athletes. “I actually look forward to hitting those walls. It humbles you, kicks your ass. You’re physically beaten, mentally ready to throw in the towel. But in those moments your spirit kicks in, keeps you going.” What happens to his body exposes doubt in his mind and awakens his spirit.

Running As Sweat Lodge

The first time Ulises visited a sweat lodge, an elder alerted him, “While you are going through this journey, your body is going to tell you that it is too hot; your mind is going to tell you you’re going to die; but your spirit is going to tell you you can make it. It’s not for everyone.”

But Ulises took the challenge and learned in the process that the spirit, his spirit, is here for the challenge. The spirit welcomes the challenge. The spirit rises to the challenge. And that is why he runs. The trail, the heat, the distance, the effort, the questioning — they are all challenges that coax the spirit to the fore. Distance is his sweat lodge.

“Fifty miles. I can’t wait. The experience of overcoming those forces is a spiritual journey.”

Each race is a spiritual journey for Ulises; an adventure. Just signing up for an event gets him excited. But as strenuous as it all sounds, it’s not about punishing one’s self. For him, it is a test.

“While my head is telling me over and over that I can’t do it, I call up these beliefs. While my mind works to sabotage me, the action of going out there says I’m willing to risk it. While my thoughts want to trick me, going out there is a testimony to doing it.”

Words To Run By

Ulises is deeply invested in The Four Agreements, from TOLTEC wisdom. One expression captures his views: “You have to learn how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” #Toltec

Ulises’ efforts are not entirely solitary. Running is a way to be part of a community, meeting people, sharing what can indeed be spiritual experiences. Where others are learning to be comfortable with discomfort, as well.

There is also the utterly practical element of “community.” He’s found that many fellow athletes are happy to share tips, advice on diets, what to do when you hit the wall. He explains that he wants to be “teachable.” And there are many willing to be teachers.

The Ulises Way

Along his journey, Ulises has learned that his way, while right for him, may not be right for others. After all, we each have our own journey. He’s willing to share his.

“I used to be more reserved, concerned about preserving anonymity. But people would come to me and suggest that I share my story. I now see doing this as a service. If others can identify with or connect somehow with my story, perhaps they can overcome the forces that seek to undermine them and achieve their own goals.”

Perhaps others will see wisdom in Ulises’ approach when personal tests sometimes feel mythic. His example shows how endurance sports can play a vital role in one’s life. Steps on life’s journey.

Maybe your endurance journey aligns with his quest. You can join Ulises at Friends of Multisport event: Angle Fire Endurance, held in June at Angel Fire Resort, New Mexico.

Curious about other endurance athletes? Check out this #endurancematter story about #IronDeb Deborah Battalgia here.