I think I'll end up talking a lot about running and music, but I would imagine this will spill over to things like food, beer, concepts, intentions, nature, comedy, movies, books, sarcasm, etc. I hope you all (audience) will share your 3 or 4 cents. Just don't donate too much....you should save your money. Being that I aspire, and sometimes succeed at appreciating the process rather than being too result oriented, and that I like to run far, things will likely be long winded. To me, it's always about the long run. Everything matters.
These last couple weeks have been pretty rough, but also extremely necessary. Since my DNF at Oil Creek 100, I've had plenty of time to think about what exactly happened, and worst of all, not run. I accomplished my goal of not running for 2 entire weeks (absolutely horrible). There is no logical conclusion here. I funked up my hip/s. I'm too zealous. I over commit. I'm a dreamer. Yes, I most definitely could have walked the rest of the 38 miles left, but I concluded then, and resolve now that pulling out was the right decision, for me. During the second 50k loop I kept thinking about winter. Even though it's so freakin brutal and cold, I love it, and love going on adventures in the snow. I cannot even imagine not being able to use my legs efficiently through such an unrelenting season. I knew that finishing would have definite drawbacks to my everyday life in the immediate future. I think I even ignorantly said to an aid station worker that "running consistently means way more to me than this race". Probably not the best choice of words to people sitting in the woods for multiple hours with the intention of servicing people like me out of the goodness of their hearts, but oh well. I meant it. I still mean it. I feel bad that I had to step out on my commitment to the race, the perfect volunteers, and all involved, but also to the commitment I made to myself. This will most likely happen again, so I'll be better prepared for it next time. Let's just hope it doesn't happen TOO much.
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| The Funk Master |
That's enough complaining for me. Good stuff is good, and much of it has come from this hiatus. I've even been writing a few bass lines, and have been playing a little more guitar. It seems that I can't get past the B's in the Beatles chord book I've got. Blackbird is the furthest I ever get unless I'm looking for a specific song.
I start this paragraph a week later than I started the first. It's been a pretty good week in terms of life and running. More smiles and sufficient miles. Fortunately, I think (fingers crossed) I'm back in the saddle. Ran 5 days this week, with 11 being the longest. Getting back at it has been great. I was cruising down this single track on one of my first days back just beaming, literally grinning because of how much fun I was having. Apparently I won't be stopping the ultra/trail/wilderness thing anytime soon, hopefully never. I did ride this thing a couple of times while I was off. I just don't love it. Traveling on foot is way neater. Biking is for bikers. Let's keep it that way. You will definitely not see me at an Ironman, or whatever those things are. If I could only bring every piece of equipment I own, along with an entire hydration pack, and 1500 calories for an eight mile adventure in the city park, maybe I'd be legit enough to be a biker. Did I say that?
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| Great thought...or big joke? |
Besides regaining the ability to run, time off has sparked some serious inspiration, and ideas for future endeavors. Though I could sit and write about this all day, I've got a few immediate goals that take precedence. First, I am not running the Marshall Mangler 50k this year, even though I desperately want to turn that 2nd place into a 1st. Over the last year I've come to the conclusion that I cannot toe the line at any race, and just run it for "fun". Therefore, I think November 10th is slightly ambitious considering my past month, plus I want to just run for running's sake. So, I think I'll just go volunteer instead. However, Table Rock 54 mile is going to happen. I can't wait to indulge in The Smokey Mountains. It was my first 50 miler last year. I placed 6th. I hope to improve my time, hopefully run well, and most importantly enjoy the N.C. mountains with friends, and my sister Lindsay. After Table Rock, the season is over. I will not race again until April, but there will be plenty of adventures, to say the least. I hope this includes many old and new friends, in many old and new places.
A man named Courtney Campbell is in my sights. He also happens to be one of my biggest inspirations at this point. He is the course record holder of the Laurel Highlands Ultra (10:43 in 1998). Since 1998, no one has come even close to Courtney's record. I won in 12:05 last year, and that was like, the 13th fastest time, with 3 of the top times from Courtney himself. I've been stalking his accomplishments via Google, and can't help but dream about someday lowering that time. This guy is no joke. He's set FKTs (fastest known times) on a few trails (though beaten), and won a ridiculous amount of races. His accomplishments are huge. I hope to meet this dude someday. I also hope to break his Laurel time, even if it takes 15 years or more.
After Laurel, I will hopefully be focussing on the Eastern States 100 in the most remote part of Pennsylvania. http://www.easternstates100.com/2152.html. This race is going to be disgustingly hard. I can't wait.
Other than these two races, I'm just going to wing it. Planning so far in advance is hard, especially when you're not certain about what the future holds.
This entire interview on Cavett is great. He was a pioneer in thinking, first, and of guitar second. Jimi certainly had his way with words. He also seemed to be a genuinely kind, and decent person, something we all forget to be, sometimes more frequently than not.
To end, I'd like to share a song (or entire album if you want) in memory of Lou Reed, who just died. My friend Eric got me into Velvet Underground not too long ago, and I'm thankful for it.
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