The Heart Before The Watch
The profound philosophy of Sierre-Zinal
My 2022 Western States race has left a big mark on my running world. “Completely empty and, at the same time, completely full” was how I often described it. As a consequence, my 2023 season was not characterized by possessive running projects and more life-changing races. There was, however, one particular race that left a lasting impression on me: Sierre-Zinal.
In a broader sense, Sierre-Zinal was the lifeline on which I pulled myself out of my 2023 injury. I made it my comeback race and did everything I could to be fit again on its start line on August 12, 2023.
But Sierre-Zinal echoed in my head and heart much longer after day X. I wrote three Das Z Letters and recorded four Das Z Sprachnachrichten about this peculiar race in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.
And yet, I felt that I had so much more to say, I had the urge to tell the world about Sierre-Zinal. To make a long story short, I ended up writing a magazine article for Runner’s World Germany, which has just been published in their January 2024 issue. If you speak German, this is a must-read. Everyone else should check out the article for the wonderful pictures, mostly taken by my best man, Chris Drüke.
Without giving too much away, the article is about the intersection of classic track & field athletics and trail running (my German working title for the story was “Trailathletik”). But the core message turned out to be something else in the end. It is summed up perfectly by Jean-Claude Pont, the founder of Sierre-Zinal:
“The philosophy of the race is ‘le coeur avant le chrono’: the heart before the watch. What’s important at Sierre-Zinal is not your time. It’s the pleasure of participating.”
Everything not running
Unpopular opinion: I love New Year's resolutions. Not the usual ones, though. I don't need to quit smoking or drinking, my weight is perfect (yours, too), and I think I'm doing a good job of spending enough time with the people I love.
My New Year's resolutions are usually different, and they don't end in February, when many people run out of steam with theirs. What I do is simple. I ask myself 3 questions:
What is really important to me?
In which project or goal do these desires and values manifest themselves the most?
What (new) habits do I need to cultivate to make these projects and goals tangible?
My approach is much less about actually achieving goals or completing projects, but much more about continuously doing what gives meaning to my life. At the same time, projects and goals help me align my passions and callings and weave them into my daily life with the help of habits.
An example? Sure.
What is really important to me?
Writing.
In which project or goals do these desires and values manifest themselves the most?
Translation of "Runhundred".
A second book.
Das Z Letters.
Magazine articles.
What (new) habits do I need to cultivate to make these projects and goals tangible?
Write at least 1 hour a day.
Read at least 1 hour a day.
You get the point. It's a simple method. But the greatest power and the greatest challenge lies in the first question. It's not so easy to get in touch with what you really want to do with your life. But it's always worth thinking about.