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In 2016, elite ultra-distance trail runner and writer Katie Arnold experienced a traumatic river rafting accident that left her questioning whether or not she would ever be able to run again. This is the story of how Arnold healed after her accident and how that process helped her rediscover a pure joy of running and a magical return to racing. This happened over the period of time when Arnold was 46 to 48 years old.\nThis episode was made on the occasion of the release of Arnold\u2019s second book, Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World. The book was just released April 16, 2024. To borrow the description that her publisher put out, \u201cThis book is a Zen study wrapped in a memoir that tells the story of a search for stillness by a woman born for wildness.\u201d And it\u2019s an apt description.\nThis book is exceptional. And this episode does focus on the same period of time that is covered in the book. Of course, Arnold's book goes into much more detail than she gets into in this episode, but in either case, the story covers the same period of time, roughly the two years between 2016 and 2018, beginning with Arnold experiencing a traumatic rafting accident through her process of healing.\nArnold studies the teachings of Zen Buddhism and she practices Zen mediation. Weaved throughout Arnold\u2019s story is how her Zen practice manifests in this whole process.\nThe story, as it is told here, focuses on the power of belief, participating in your own healing, and the interesting dynamic of achieving goals while not clinging to them\u2014or put another way, staying with where you're at instead of focusing on the finish line.\xa0\nKeep Up with Katie Arnold\nInstagram: @katiearnold\nWebsite: katiearnold.net\nKatie Arnold's books, Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World and Running Home: katiearnold.net/books\nMentioned in This Episode\nSarah Lavender Smith: Ultramarathon Trail Running Longevity: womensrunningstories.com/sarah-lavender-smith-transitioning-through-competitive-running-longevity\nSarah Lavender Smith's website: sarahlavendersmith.com\nSarah Lavender Smith's newsletter, Colorado Mountain Running & Living\nSarah Lavender Smith book, The Trail Runner's Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras\nMusic Credits\nCormac O'Regan, of Playtoh\nLid\xe9rc Bell, via\xa0Pixabay\nRockot, via Pixabay\npenguinmusic, via Pixabay\nSergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay\nComa-Media, via Pixabay\nchillmore, via Pixabay\nRoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay\nWays to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories\nInstagram: @womensrunningstories\nInstagram: @over50sub20_5k_project\nFacebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories\nFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627\nWebsite: womensrunningstories.com\nEmail host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com\nWomen's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices