Running in the 2019 Cardiff 10K to Raise Money for Drala Jong

Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin Tridral is running in the Cardiff 10K to raise money to create Drala Jong, a Buddhist Meditation Centre in Wales. ’ö-Dzin, and his wife Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo, have been practising Buddhism for 40 years and are teachers within the Aro gTér Lineage of Nyingma Buddhism.

’ö-Dzin and Nor’dzin are relative newcomers to running, having started late in 2018. They both followed the ‘Couch to 5K’ programme which enables someone with no previous experience to become a runner through following a 9-week programme.

“I started in September 2018 and discovered that running even for one minute was a challenge. Now I’m taking part in a 10K run. It’s remarkable what can be achieved with patience, perseverance, and a good method.” — Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin Tridral

There are evident parallels between meditation and running. Both are beneficial and both require patience and perseverance in order to make progress. Meditation helps them to be present whilst running. Running facilitates greater physical comfort when sitting in meditation. Each activity can start in a small way: ten minutes of meditation; one minute of running. Gradually confidence is developed in the method and this enables further progress.

“Running is so simple: you put on your shoes and just run. It is always a challenge and requires commitment, but afterwards, I feel invigorated and enlivened in every way. I often meditate in the park after running, and find that my mind is clear and my senses alert.” — Ngakma Nor’dzin Pamo

It’s never too late to begin. ’ö-Dzin and Nor’dzin are both in their 60s and have found that running has enabled them to become fitter than they have ever been.
“It’s not a matter of being faster or fitter than anyone else. It’s more a question of looking after yourself and making the best of your circumstances.” — Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin Tridral

As meditation is beneficial to those who run, and running is beneficial to those who meditate, it seems appropriate to take part in the Cardiff 10K to raise money for a meditation centre.

To sponsor ’ö-Dzin in the Cardiff 10K, please click here.

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About Ngakma Nor’dzin and Ngakpa ’ö-Dzin

Nor’dzin and ’ö-Dzin are a married teaching couple within the Aro gTêr Lineage of Nyingma Buddhism. They have lived in Cardiff throughout their 34 years of marriage. They have two adult sons, and two grandchildren.

Nor’dzin is a teacher and artist, and the author of Spacious Passion, Relaxing into Meditation, Battlecry of Freedom, and, co-authored with ’ö-Dzin, Illusory Advice. She has lived in Cardiff since 1982.

’ö-Dzin was born in Cardiff and has lived there for most of his life. He retired from Cardiff University IT Department in 2019. He now devotes his time to Buddhist teaching and practice.
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About Couch to 5K

The Couch to 5K running plan was created by Josh Clark in 1996. He developed the plan for new runners as motivation through manageable expectations. The plan aims to get the user working out for 20 to 30 minutes, three days a week.

For more information please see Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C25K and also ‘How the Couch to 5K Running Plan Works’ https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/running/training/couch-to-5k-running-plan.htm