Eva Runs Through It

"This is stupid." This is NOT the first time I’ve heard these words uttered from Eva’s mouth.  She was heading out early on a Saturday morning to run yet another Winter Beast of Burden Ultra-Marathon.  Sure, each one has been different.  Different conditions.  Different training and preparation.  She was geared up for a 50-miler after completing a 50-K trail ultra the previous weekend.  This Beast was going to be different. Eva was going to complete the run and then “give back” to the Beast.   This race has—and continues to—give her so much.   Lifelong     friendships, new running partners and countless memories.   After spending 10 (+) hours running 50 miles in the f-r-i-g-i-d cold along the open trails of the Erie Canal, Eva was going to finish and volunteer at aid stations.   Cheering, feeding and supporting those who muscled and willed themselves to finish their own 50 or 100-mile race. I had decided to voluntee...

I am a special education teacher.    I work with underdogs.   The students on my caseload have physical, emotional and/or intellectual disabilities.   It is my job to “level the playing field”.   I am to step in and make accommodations or modifications to their education, so they can compete with everyone else.   It just doesn’t always work that way.             The problem is, my job description does not take intrinsic motivation into account.   It does not cultivate the power of struggling…of failing.   There is much to learn from both.   If a kid wants to go big, no matter what plan I put in place, it’s on him.             I see parallels with ultra-running.   There is no level playing field.   When you are running for an extended time: you will struggle, you will fail.   Crossing the finish line is a matter of ...

Brazos Bend 100       I have done races where I don’t know a soul.   I have done races that I’ve had to travel.   I’ve done races that I have forgotten gear.   Brazos Bend 100 was a type of Final Exam of Ultra Marathons, encompassing all of these things and more.   I had this travel voucher, and I couldn’t wait to use it.   I wanted to find a race with challenges unlike any I’ve faced before.   I found it with this race. My first challenge was what gear to bring.   Sorry tackle box, you wont make it on the plane.   I got up at 2:30 to sneak in a workout and to pack.   I told myself to treat it like an aid station---grab what you need, and if your instincts tell you to take something…listen.   That is just what I did.   I arrived in Texas to a sunny 80-degree day and went to pick up my rental car.   They issued me a lemon-yellow machine    Not really my style, but not really something to ...

            Oil Creek.   It all seems to start and end with Oil Creek.   This year, I ran the 50k.   As always, the trail was rugged, I had a blast hanging out with friends.   I got to pace two runners to their first 100-miler finish.   I could have done without the bear encounter, but I digress.             Finishing the 50k felt empty.   I needed it to collect all four buckles, but I crossed the line with more in the tank, and sort of a “now what?” type of feeling.             My personal tradition is to take a break after Oil Creek.   No running.   Nothing.   Nada.    Normally, I enjoy the first few days, and then I get the itch again.               This year was bad.   I didn’t feel like I earn...

Never in my wildest dreams, would I have thought I would be a trail runner.  I had no idea that such a thing even existed.  Beyond that, I could not even fathom the concept of being an ultra runner.  To quote Joseph Campbell, “You must give up the life you planned in order to have the life that is waiting for you”. I started as a triathlete.   My very first race, of any kind, was a sprint tri on Grand Island.   I did it for my dad.   The man, whom all other men are compared to, was the one who taught me to swim, and to bike.   Running, well, Dad wasn’t a runner. I had to learn that on my own.   I ran in tribute to him. I expected it to be one and done.   I took third place.   I was not done. I moved on to a 5k, just to try one.   I won my age group.   OMG!   I WON my age group!   Maybe, I should try another… Eventually, I decided to try a marathon, because that’s a once in a lifetime thing.   I did o...

So, Rog and I got talking about races.   Imagine.   " Pine Creek Challenge" he said.   " You’ll PR" he said.   " Grand Canyon of the East" he said.   " Good tune-up for Oil Creek" he said.   " Watch out for snakes" he said.   " Lots of Amish" he said.   " It gets darker than dark" he said.   " Lots of wildlife" he said.   " You’ll love it" he said.    Rog----good thing you’re wife is a nurse. I was a bit rushed to get out of work and drive to the race site.   First week of school is always hectic.   I spiced things up with a bout of food poisoning.   Yuck. I tried unscessfully to defer to the 100k.   I was turned down flat.    Ok.   Time to do what I do.   I got up at 4 and headed to the Portal Potty.   Saw a bear in the distance.   This is off to a great start.  Did I mention this was my 13th 100 miler?  Lucky 13! The course starts with a 5 mile out and back ...

The blog is back.   Thank you Brooks! I’m taking a different approach with this blog.   I’m writing it the night before the race.   Tomorrow, I’ll wake up and be at the starting line for the Beast 100.   I have no idea if I will make it to the finish line, but deciding the start is a victory for me.   My head just hasn’t been in the game.   I’ve been running (lots), but not following my training plan. I'm too skinny.   I have a pretty yucky foot rash caused by an allergic reaction.   Anything can happen tomorrow. But, my victory is getting to the starting line. This past week, I ran away from home (in a manor of speaking).   I packed my tent, my running shoes, a few necessities, and me and I headed out.   I went off the grid.   Noah was busy with his job, the fire department, his girlfriend and his friends.   He recently was certified to drive emergency vehicles for the FD, and has been quite busy.   Natal...