Today was my 11th ultra (8th 50k) in 6 years. I went into it having run so few times in the last year I can count it on one hand. I told myself I’d do 5 loops. And I did. I wanted to do each loop in 2 or less hours and finish sub 10 (I did).

*edit* And technically I ran/meandered 37 miles, but who’s counting? 😉

“Its all in your head” I told myself, and “Just run when you can”
‘When you can’ for me, today, meant, when its not a steep climb or ridiculous terrain. Tired wasn’t supposed to be the reason.

For reference, my 50k PR (North Face) is 7 hrs and this took 9. Not my best showing of course, but I did what I set out to do and didn’t get hurt. I’ll take it.

Sometimes when people hear me describe all the ultras I do as ‘endurance’ or ‘adventure’ races, they say, ‘Oh are there obstacles?’ Well, not manmade ones. Not like the races where you leap over campfires and climb rock walls with ropes, or scoot under barbed wire.
But there are significant hills, and rocks and mud and rivers and roots, and sometimes mountains – so plenty of obstacles. Theyre tough, no joke. Here’s an example of today’s track.

atr 12

This is going to be a shorter blog post than usual.

One thought that kept popping in my head though was how folks always ask WHY? Now Ive mentioned this before, how my dad said that no one who would understand my answer would ask, but here’s my answer.

BECAUSE I CAN.

Ive heard “I don’t run unless Im being chased” so many times, all I can say to it is “Ive never heard that one before” – But why do people do that? When someone shares something with me that is a part of their life, I don’t make them feel weird about it. If you belly-dance, or do cosplay, or collect thimbles, maybe you do mixed-martial arts, or eat sushi…..I don’t feel the need to proclaim that I not only don’t do anything of those things, I wouldn’t possible do them unless I was forced to. Whats the point of that? Is it to make the person feel abnormal for not being like you? Anyways – enough about that.

*Oh and I came home to pizza, wine, chocolate and coffee (he knows me so well)…

The 24 Hour is in April….maybe I’ll actually train for that one – maybe not 😉

Be well

<3 ~K~