Kings of the Trail #150
- Luke Jarman
- Jan 23
- 3 min read
Go Further & Explore More...
“What really matters is the work. And what matters to me is doing the work. I’m not looking at the back end: ‘What am I going to get out of this? What’s going to be the reward?’ I’m just looking at the work, the pleasure of being able to do the work. And that’s what the fun is: To climb up the mountain is the fun, not standing at the top. There’s nowhere to go. But climbing up, that struggle, that to me is where the fun is. That to me is the thrill. But once that’s over, that’s kind of it. I don’t look too much beyond that.”
Robert Redford
The saying “they don’t make them like they used to” is often dismissed as seniors indulging in a nostalgic view of a different time…but in the case of Robert Redford, I think the phrase is absolutely apt (or maybe it’s a sign of my age!) A true, bona fide movie star of over 80 films, including some of the all-time classics, he was also an environmentalist and supporter of causes dear to his heart - he was responsible for establishing and growing the now famous and influential Sundance Film Festival, for example. I love his take on hard work and the purpose behind it, not for glory or rewards, but for the effort itself and the pleasure that can be found in pushing yourself. This will sound very familiar to runners and hikers. While there is satisfaction from achieving goals, gaining plaudits, or winning races, it’s possible to find a real and deep joy in the work it takes to get there. The glow of achieving your targets can often fade quickly, but the pleasure of applying the required commitment, dedication, devotion and elbow grease along the way can last a lot longer and help change your mindset to see and trust in the process...
Regular readers may notice a change in the style of this week’s newsletter…hitting the 150th issue mark felt like a good time to switch things up…let me know what you think
Until next week, be safe and enjoy the trails...
Planning the type and timing of races to achieve your season's goals is crucial. From A to C races, timing and finding the right purpose, it’s all here…
Killan Journet is no stranger to hard work, but what makes him tick and how does he manage risk, especially now that he has a family? A fascinating interview with one of the greatest to ever do it…
Running can sometimes be frustrating and it can feel like improvements come slowly. Try these evidence backed tips to help you get better, stronger and faster…
As the popularity of trail running booms, what can be done to protect its soul and keep its integrity intact, despite the increased commercial focus and money...
📸 Cabo da Roca, Lisbon, Portugal
A lovely, slow build dance track for you this week…with beautiful, silky keys and sensuous synths and a really percussive beat, this is a good track to keep you in the groove - whether hitting the trails hard or just wanting to zone out and let it wash over you…this is a little beauty…
Each week, I update the Kings of the Trail playlist with a new selection of music. Like trail runs or hikes, the playlist will be varied and eclectic, but hopefully, there will be something for everyone to enjoy…
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