running, life and living the dream

It’s hard to believe it is all over.  I crossed the finish line of the Noble Canyon 50K in 7 hours, 5 minutes, and 39 seconds. It was physically and mentally the hardest thing I have ever done.  Although I am completely satisfied with the race and performance, I am dealing with a mix of emotions. Guess this is what they call post Marathon Depression.  In my case, I am going through post Ultra Depression.  (ha) I was not prepared for the cold, the website said this race was typically a warm race; it was around 40 degrees at the start of the race.  Guess this is one thing I over looked being my first ultra.  Although cold and shivering, I took the time to look at everyone lined up to start the race.  I stared at the clock, there was 7 minutes, and then 6 minutes left.  I began to jump up and down to warm myself up. Then the moment was upon us as everyone started to shout the last second’s, 10-9-8-………  GO!  In my first 2 steps I nearly tr...

As of today, I got 9 nights before toeing the line of my first ultra marathon, the 2011 Noble canyon 50k in California.   http://noblecanyon50k.com/ Running an ultra has been a dream of mine since I read the book “ Born to Run ” by Christopher Mcdougall.   I been training for months and it is hard not to be excited and want to share my journey with my co worker's, church friends, and family.   I ’ m not sure many of them really understand what I am doing. I get the feeling many think I am flat out crazy or weird.   Being a runner I am used to facing adversity on my own.   In many ways it fuels my fire to achieve.   Don ’ t get me wrong, there are times I want to skip a workout or feel sluggish in the first few miles; but once the runner ’ s high kicks in I get to where my only focus is putting one foot in front of the other, and enjoying my freedom from the stress of this crazy world.   I heard a great qoute from Jimmy Dean Freeman on www. ultrarunn...