That’s Crazy!
I’m just going to say it. Running around a one mile course over and over again is
crazy. Put that course on a fair
ground in NJ, make sure it has no shade, add a rodeo to the center of it all,
and put Mother Nature in a bad mood, and it is positively nuts. That’s exactly
what my friends and I did, and I couldn’t be prouder of our accomplishments.
So, why did I do it?
It’s not about the running. Well, not as much as you might think.
I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things Ultra Running has
taught me:
1. People who whine, tend not to finish. Don’t whine, it accomplishes nothing.
2. It’s a lot of work, but don’t forget to have fun
3. Actually doing something pretty awesome beats
the heck out of those pithy little inspirational
quotes you find on the Internet.
4. It’s not about the finish line.
5. Mother Nature hates me. Screw it, I’m running anyways.
6. Never underestimate the power of rest and food. They are my most powerful tools to keep
6. Never underestimate the power of rest and food. They are my most powerful tools to keep
moving forward.
7. Adapt. Overcome. Improvise. Plan for plans to change
7. Adapt. Overcome. Improvise. Plan for plans to change
8. Setbacks happen.
Relentless forward progress makes that ok
9. Everyone struggles
10. Cupcakes are the best way on the planet to celebrate a personal victory
10. Cupcakes are the best way on the planet to celebrate a personal victory
But, why did I do THIS run? Why would I want to do 150 miles? Perhaps another top ten list is in order… I tried, but this is what came out
instead.
Group texts…training runs…challenging my friends…my friends
challenging me…registration options…upping my challenge by clicking a single
box….Can I do this? ...Can I do more?...$88 airfare…friend who likes me more
than chips…being picked up at the airport…Jersey Diners…hanging out….setting up
camp….not sleeping…getting up too early…missing the start…mile 1…mile 2…mile
47…mile 106…mile 129…mile 149….running with friends….running alone…meeting
strong people…meeting people who don’t know they are strong…hearing their
stories…seeing world records being set…seeing personal records being set…DAVE
and MICHELLE…Candy bars…Marco showing up…Marco showing up with NY pizza…Marco
showing up with cupcakes…Marco showing up with Christmas lights for his tent,
but only one pair of shorts…Marco at mile 149…Marco as Ultimate Camper…Marco’s
wit…Marco’s passion for life…Avatar...miles alone with Marco…watching Marco run miles on
his own terms…Marco with the hot dog….Marco wondering who changed his name to
Meat Roll…Marco knowing what she said…Marco helping everyone…Ken letting me
call him Russell…Everyone calling him Russell…Russell finding his inner
child…Merit badges…CAR….FART…Russell having no limits…Glide…Accidentally something…Russell always wanting to
make things better…Miles with Russell…that stupid pink thing he wore on his
head…his glow….knowing he could do more….proud of what he did….his
innocence…the silly way he wore his bib…celebrating mile 99…Peaser…so many miles
with this man…reminds me this is fun…works his ass off…beer runs…knows
everyone…Jim calling me his running wife…The way he calls me out…His
challenges…Carrots are not veggie dogs…Music loud…Music off…That smile…Epsom
Salts…he’s seen me cry…he doesn’t care…the sombrero…Seinfeld…Sets goals…reaches
them…humble…hysterical…Kung Fu Santa…The sign with my name, so I don’t get
lost…Everyone knowing my name because of the sign…I hate bacon…bacon at the aid
station…the rodeo…the horses…the smells…fighter planes…skydivers…kettle korn…the
rain…the heat…the fog…the storm…dysfunctional time roosters…the guy running for
his mom…the obese woman pumping out a 50k…CLIFFIE!...Deb…Relish…Cliffie
saying “orgasm”…Mile 90…BEER MAN…FRAN
AND JOE!!...Rick…Rick in a kilt…the bell…texts when I needed them…running
pissed…running happy…walking…hiking poles…Wonder Woman…knots…Jammies….I love
you…sharing all this…the stupid poncho…Thunder Buddies-for LIFE...running with an umbrella…sleeping but
hearing runners…getting up…taking a break…picture of the kids…Nat texts oblivious to my running…Calling Noah into school…Funny Frog...progress at home…being
thought of…getting a laugh…FD…NOT FD…Feeling tough…feeling weak…those last 12
miles…feet with heartbeats…smelly gear boxes…gear boxes with funny
labels…Russell actually having gear…going further than I have…beating Ironman
distance…funny farm…NO Bacon…bets are off…house fell on her…Rosie the
Riveter…the buckle…the coin…time on the clock…not enough time on the clock…more
than enough time on the clock…the aid station…oh wait, there’s a camera…the lap
counter tv…cookies…fruit…the mister…the hill…rounding the corner to our
tents…everyone’s there…break time…no one’s there…keep going….human
spirit…overcoming adversity…Tough Cookie...Friends being at my finish...What’s your target?…How’s this mile?…Mission
Accomplished.
I miss this race so much.....great memories this race!!!! "you had me at Banana!!!"
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