Western States Endurance Run
This was the first time I’ve actually followed an Ultra Marathon. Since I started this newsletter, I’ve been bumping into or tripping over running things that I find interesting and last week was no different. At first I was excited I could just link it up and put it on The Book of Panthers. Then yesterday I started to listen to and watch the Western States Endurance Run broadcast periodically throughout it’s 30 hour run. It was totally inspiring and a great reminder of why I love running.
Running is absolutely a metaphor for life. At some point we all realize that it’s not about how fast we get somewhere, it’s about the journey, the training, the practices, the experiences, the relationships and the challenges. That’s what we remember the most.
Running has a way of shaping us and directing us if we are willing to go down that path.
It’s the long run, the dreaded long run, that slowly endears itself to our lives. The long run that is met with resistance…. “How long!?!” Slowly those miles melt away our bodies till we are a floating mess of thoughts. And then, it’s done.
Again, slowly as we recover, the mind starts to piece it together. If I can run this far, then what? What’s next? What else can I do?
Maybe nothing but you know more about yourself after that long run than you did before, right? Maybe nothing….. maybe nothing…… maybe nothing. Once the long runs are all done and we move on maybe nothing but the endurance is still there, maybe not physically but mentally. Maybe nothing but we survived, we endured. Life is an endurance effort, the long run, the long goal. Maybe nothing but still definitely something, some purpose. At some point we all need that long run.
If you had the physical and metal ability to run 100 miles would you take that opportunity? Not everyone has that opportunity. Would you want to know what that experience is like, would that mean something to you in this life?
Hmmm…….Well that’s what I’ve been thinking about.
Maybe I need to run 100 miles……Why not?!?!
https://runningforwardandgivingback.com/canal-corridor-100
But first, last week I promised Camels. So enjoy a Camel!!!
12 weeks till Spartan.
