“Unless you test yourself, you stagnate. Unless you try to go way beyond what you’ve been able to do before, you won’t develop and grow. When you go for it 100%, when you don’t have the fear of “what if I fail,” that’s when you learn. That’s when you’re really living.” Mark Allen, world champion triathlete
So here we are.. July 2007....
Hard to belive that this time last year I had only run TWO Ultra's and both were only 50K's. I was preparing to run my 2nd Wakely Dam 50K (3rd Ultra ever) and found myself at Camp 10 Bear waiting for Joe Millionare. Joe never showed up since having dropped... but Claire Gilles from Reno, NV did and she needed a pacer. Like Clark kent in the phone booth.. I suited up and ran 32 miles through the darkness on the way to Claires 24:59 finish in the 2006 VT100. She swore then that I was ready for a 100 Miler... and there was no in hell I'd EVER run that far.
One year later I'm all tapered up. I've now run some 10 Ultras.. this is number 11 and my second 100 Mile Race. I learned a lot in Illinos this past April in what I called then, "The Road To Vermont." Well the road is ending and the race soon starting. My mental game is still a wreck and I'm nervous I haven't trained as I should have for this event. Even still... I plan to lay it all out there in my goal of that Sub 24-hour belt buckle. And if not that.. Sub 26 Hours... or to simply finish the damn thing.
Its been an amazing Journey this past year.. from July 2006 to July 2007. I have an even greater appreciation for life. The Human Body and the power of the human spirit. I have assembled a top notch crew and acquired the PERFECT pacer. Things are going almost too well. I even found my leg speed back.. now all I worry about are the relentless hills.
And lastly.. there's Sarah. I've spent the last 2 1/2 years of my life dedicated to raising funds for the American Diabetes Association. So far through my running of the VT100 I have raised another $2,000 bring the grand total to over $17,000 in 2 years. This.. is the last fundraiser for the ADA Research Fund as its time to move on to new diseases and new cures. I thank all of you who have helped support our undying mission to raise money for the ADA.. and even those who simply leave words of encouragement. I carry them all through every race. I think Cancer is the next battle to fight.. the disease that took my grandfather and best friend from this planet.
So... July 2007... Vermont 100 MILE Endurance Run.... The time is here and the time is now. Good luck to my many ultra friends who are also running. God speed and god bless.. I'll be cheering for all of you as will my crew. I love you all. And finally... my race quote:
"“If humans could really walk on water, we’d run across the oceans. But then again, some humans enter the water up to their ankles, some to their knees, some their waist. I’m a dive in kinda guy.. and these 100 Mile races are my ocean. Amazed at how these green mountains of Vermont remind me of waves on the ocean.. I’ll just have to dive right in and let the tide take me to magical lands.” ~me
Go get 'em Sherpa. Thanks for your advice about just going out and having fun. You and everyone else are right. If you can't have fun then why do it? I'm taking everyones advice to heart and I'm just going to have fun for awhile. I'm not a quiter. I just need a break. The only person whos gotten under my skin is myself. Its high time I put my past behind me and get off this pitty train I've been on. Nothing positive ever came from complaining. Good luck at Vermont 100 really I hope you get that sub 24. I'll be pulling for you brother. I'm off to Estes Park Co. next week. With any luck I'll get lost and be forced to deal with my own demons. Talk to you later.
ReplyDeletebest of luck my friend! I'll be thinking about you griding it out and wish you the best. Well done with the fund-raising. Go get em and don't let up. Relentless forward progress!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats of your sub-24 finish at VT100!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are too cool!
Liesel