A Memorial to Caballo Blanco (1954-2012)

Several days ago I learned of the sad news that Micah True--popularly known as Caballo Blanco, "The White Horse"--recently passed away while running in New Mexico. He was 57 years old.

I'm afraid I don't know much about Mr. Blanco, except as the eccentric (some would say crazy) running man described by Christopher McDougall in his 2009 best-selling book Born to Run. Among other things, Caballo Blanco befriended a tribe of secluded running people, founded the Copper Canyon Ultra-Marathon, and taught a broken-down ex-runner how to run without pain. For better or worse, Mr. McDougall's depiction of Mr. Blanco sparked an intense debate over the vices and virtues of bare-foot running, a debate that continues today.

All that aside, the way Caballo Blanco touched people is perhaps the thing for which he will best be remembered. Indeed, he was not a famous person who sought the lime-light, but a fairly kind, down-to-earth, and honest fellow with a passion for bringing people together by running. Leading up to the 2011 Copper Canyon Ultra-Marathon--a race he founded--Mr. Blanco wrote, "While some are at war in many parts of Northern Mexico and the world, we came together at the bottom of a deep canyon to share with the local people of the region, eat, laugh, dance, run, and create peace" (source).

Mr. Blanco was and remains an inspiration to me for many reasons, but perhaps two stand out most prominently. First was his message about running, which he said should be, "...easy, light, smoooooth, [and] happy." Whether you run with shoes or without, such advice seems helpful for reducing injuries and maintaining a positive attitude.

Second, and  more importantly, was his advice on life. Many people have quoted from his Facebook page the last few days, but I think it appropriate for how we remember Caballo Blanco. In January 2012, he wrote:

"If I were to be remembered for anything at all, I would want that to be that I was/am authentic. No mas. Run free!"

Run free: perhaps advice as relevant for life as it is for running. Be authentic, be true to yourself, and no mas [no more]. Based on the grueling way he went about doing this in his own life, we might also add to that, "and be no less."

Thank you, Mr. Blanco, for your example. You will be missed.
Peace.