Running Provides Purpose
One of the first questions I get when people hear I run ultras is:
Why do you run that far?
Mentioning that I enjoy running 50 miles or going out on a trail for 6 hours provokes the dog-tilted-head puzzled look.
Everyone that runs has a different reason. Running towards a healthy life, stress relief, social, or even running away from something.
I like to run because it has purpose. On race day there is a clear goal: starting line to finish line in less than the time allotted. We live in a busy world and are pulled in multiple directions. When running, the focus is on running. There is a clear purpose and all of your energy goes towards that. No thought about answering emails, negotiating a whining fest between kids, or what to cook for dinner. Just move forward. Get to the top of that mountain. Cross the finish line.
All of my energy, decisions, and effort about accomplishing one goal for the day.
With each new goal and race completed, people ask me if “that will be it?” Really?
I’m not one to sit back and ride a wave or do nothing. This applies to running and in my career. Yes, I’m about celebrating the wins, but certainly not just getting complacent. It’s in those times of complacency that we can think more clearly. This is the time to step back and look at the bigger picture. What has been done, the progress made, and the bigger goals out there.
In a couple weeks I’m embarking on my 2nd attempt at the Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run. After only making it to mile 52 last year (missed cutoff time by 35 minutes), I spent time wondering what happened. It wasn’t very hard for me to identify some areas to fix.
– I didn’t train enough or in the right environments. Check.
– Surrounding myself with more seasoned runners. Check.
– Choosing pacers more carefully. Check. although I do need 2 more still.
I have no plans of finishing the race first, but I will finish.
After that will I be done with running? Not even close.
