Reflection

-
I'm not sure what made me think about this, but I started reflecting on everything I've done. Maybe it was reading a thread on Slowtwitch that asked people what races they would do if they didn't have to worry about qualifying, logistics or expenses. And looking over that list, it was "wow - I've done a lot of those races already!" Then I felt a little guilty, because its evident that many people would love to experience even a third of what I've gotten to do. Which makes me feel even guiltier, since I'm not sure I took advantage of what I was able to do. Things were just check marks on the list of things I would do. The history and signifigance of all the events was just a sidenote to me looking for my place. I just assumed I would achieve what wanted, regardless of how crazy it sounded. Most of it I did achieve. Some of it I didn't and and won't at this time. Others I have plenty of time to continue working towards.

But I don't want to make the same mistakes as I work towards my new goals. I don't want to be so focused I miss out on the experience of the journey. Since I'm naturally driven with my training, that's going to be hard. I've gotten better at balancing the needed workouts with just getting out and having fun. Sometimes it's not the numbers that matter, it's riding bikes with friends. It's making the memories of fun times while working hard. I've done enough interesting things and have plenty of fun stories to tell. Most are from the races before I started the blog, but all are from races on the Slowtwitch thread. Escape from Alcatraz, Kona, New York and marathons in all 50 states. I'll reflect on my history, looking at the experiences and fun from traveling the country. Hopefully, I'll also learn from my mistakes and keep this round of adventures fresh, fun and never take what I am doing for granted! Regardless, there will always be new and exciting stories, as well as insight into how I have evolved.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A long way on foot - Sheep Mountain Endurance Run

-
Image
Fifty miles is a long way - regardless of how you travel. As I was training and preparing for Sheep Mountain Endurance Run, I knew that it would be a long day - I knew that there would be ups and downs, that the plan would have to be fluid and goals adjusted mid-race. That is the nature of endurance sports and the people who achieve are the ones who can go with the flow and find the ability to turn things around if they do go south. Obviously, for my first 50, I was hoping for nothing but smooth sailing - with no dark spots, no demons and smiling the whole way. A girl can always hope, right? Runners assembled for the start Photo - Human Potential Running The sun was just starting to brighten the clouds as we walked to the starting line with nearly 100 other runners. The race director went through a few things, noting that there had already been some DNS's due to the elevation and to be smart. Smart... Most people would say smart would mean not doing something like a 50 mile ...
the full story...

Mortality

-
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'” - Hunter S. Thompson It seems such a trite quote, but true at the same time. Life is about the journey - the adventures along the way, the failures and successes. A life well lived is a person with stories to tell, taking the chances along the way that will provide fulfillment. You don't realize how close we are teatering to the edge until something happens that affirms our mortality.  In eleven years of practicing physical therapy in a nursing home setting, I've had my share of experiences with death. Never close though - far enough removed to be touched by the passing but not affected. Sometimes it's expected and everyone says "it's for the best. They are happier now." Other times, it's not and we are all shocked...
the full story...

Regaining my mojo

-
Image
I'll be honest. The two months between the middle of July and middle of September just about crushed me. Tired all the time, unable to muster more then a slug pace for most rides, and shuffling my way through my runs. It was the worst two month I've had - made worse by my continuing to try to push through the fatigue. So after Vapor I made sure that I would listen to my body and not pressure myself into training until I felt ready. No matter how long it would take, I would take the recovery I needed. Two weeks of minimal activity - short swims that were mostly just paddling around, very short runs where I didn't look at my watch at all and the easiest of rides imaginable. After those two weeks, I was still tired, but feeling better. Getting more like myself again, with a little more energy. That meant I needed at least another week of easy recovery! It was not the time to succumb to FOMO and start up with the big rides and hard runs again. So I behaved even more, knowing ev...
the full story...

Friends with the Monsters..

-
And the voices inside of my head.  As Saturday approaches, the voices - the demons - have begun talking to me. Sometimes a whisper, sometimes a scream. 54 miles. It's the distance from Colorado Springs to Lake Pueblo State Park. Or the top of Wilkerson Pass... A long bloody way to cover on two wheels, let along two feet! Yet that is my goal. Traverse the trails and roads west and east of Fairplay, covering more then the distance of two marathons. Theoretically, it should be nothing. After all, I've run back to back marathons many times - once getting both under 3:10. Fifty two miles, in just shy of 24 hours at a pace much faster then I'm planning. But in this ventures, I had time to recover between races and took the recovery seriously. Here, nothing but continuous forward movement. One step in front of the other, no breaks between efforts and the the clock doesn't stop ticking.  As Saturday approaches, those voices are getting louder. Ever doubting, ever questioning - ...
the full story...