I recently participated in my second Wanderlust 108 Mindfulness Triathlon.  I was so excited when I got the email that they would be coming back to Philadelphia.  I set a reminder in my phone and purchased tickets within 24 hours of them going on sale!

 

My marathon training would make this 5k significantly easier than it was last year…I hoped.  It was a sunny yet brisk 60℉ that Saturday morning.  I dressed in layers and packed an extra t-shirt and sweatshirt just in case I needed to reup on warmth.

 

It’s hard to describe just how cold it was, which is weird considering the area experienced temps in the high 80℉ days before (damn that global warming).  As I began my pre-race stretches, I kept on my sweatshirt.  I feared turning into a human popsicle with just a tank on.

Minutes before the race, I dropped my sweatshirt on my mat and hurriedly skipped to the signature Wanderlust starting arch.  It was at this point that I decided that I was going to run the entire 3.1 miles.  As a non-runner, I was optimistic that I’d be able to run most of it.  Three, two, one…and I was off.  I cautiously began to jog, trying to avoid friends suddenly pausing in the road as well as  hazardous uneven  manhole covers and random pinecones.  “I got this!” I thought.

I settled into my turtle-slow trot as Migos mumbled into my headphones.  The familiar scenery steadily passed by.  I felt good.  I didn’t become discouraged by the people who passed me.  My spirits didn’t soar as I passed others.  This was my 5k and I was my only competition.  “I’m a runner!” I thought to myself as I plodded along.

 

As I rounded the final turn, I picked up my pace a bit.  I was looking forward to breathing normally again and going to the bathroom.  I had run my fastest 5k (36 minutes 58 seconds).  I shaved more than a minute off my average mile (12 minutes 59 seconds in 2016 to 11 minutes 52 seconds in 2017).  Also, I had run my fastest mile to date, 11 minutes 31 seconds.  I.  Was.  Pumped!  I had forgotten about how chilly I’d been.  I was triumphant!

The yoga practice that followed was equal parts challenging and relaxing.  Chelsey Korus led a beautiful practice with highly effective cues.  Reminding us to be mindful with the mantra “Now, it’s like this.”  I flowed through much of the practice with my eyes closed.  She made me feel comfortable to make the practice my own, allowing my breath to guide me.

Noah Levine rounded out the Mindfulness Triathlon  with a meditation that I won’t soon forget.  I settled into sukhasana (easy seated pose), closed my eyes, and began to mindfully focus on my breath.  Our mantra was “Inhale. Exhale.” as each breath came and went.  I sat with my stillness and fully luxuriated in the moment.  I could set aside my roles as wife and mother and I could simply be Dominique.  I followed along with the mantra until it faded into the background.  A full 30 minute meditation has been something that I’ve struggled to complete, but I found myself lost in time.  Before I knew it, the meditation was closing.  As I found my awareness again, I realized that my legs and feet were totally numb.  I couldn’t feel ANYTHING!!  I giggled proudly to myself that I was able to be present.  It was otherworldly.

I loved all the parts of this Wanderlust event.  However, there was a point when I was fully aware of my “otherness.”  I’m usually comfortable being one of the few black women at yoga festivals, but I do wish there were more diversity in the hosts of the main line up of instructors.  There’s something to be said about making a space where all yogis are represented.  Where women like myself can see themselves in positions of influence.  I was proud to see the beautiful Jana Mars and her company, Aqua Vida, being one of the featured partners with Wanderlust 108 Philadelphia.  She handed me a tiny message in a bottle with a wish that the mantra inside would speak to my heart….it did.

“Now, it’s like this!”

I choose to focus on the positive.  I’m smashing my old personal bests and replacing them with new ones.  I choose to mindfully approach each new day and the challenges it may present.  Will you?