In 2013, my running goals included two marathons (Carlsbad in January and Boston in April) and two ultras (Laurel Valley Whitewater Ultra in August and Le Grizz 50 in October). Unfortunately, plantar fasciitis (PF) crept into my life in May and derailed those plans. Six months later, with the PF under control (crossing my fingers), I'm starting to dream again.
The "Why?"
I'm not really sure if there's just one reason why I want to put myself through such misery. Maybe I'm just trying to be accepted in the running community in Columbus? Running beyond the marathon distance seems to be the fad here. It also could be because I'm just looking for a new challenge. I still would like to keep my Boston streak going, but I think I've got the marathon-thing sort of figured-out. Running a marathon, recovering, then training for the next one soon after has gotten a bit boring. It's time for a change.
What if I just do my own thing?
I'm not really sure if there's just one reason why I want to put myself through such misery. Maybe I'm just trying to be accepted in the running community in Columbus? Running beyond the marathon distance seems to be the fad here. It also could be because I'm just looking for a new challenge. I still would like to keep my Boston streak going, but I think I've got the marathon-thing sort of figured-out. Running a marathon, recovering, then training for the next one soon after has gotten a bit boring. It's time for a change.
What if I just do my own thing?
I have thought of just doing my own thing quite a bit. By "doing my own thing," I mean something besides an organized race. Why not just head up to the Appalachian trail in north Georgia or western North Carolina and get picked up two or three days later at a predesignated location? Why pay mucho dinero for an entry fee, when I can just do something at my own pace, in some supremely majestic location? A few ideas that have intrigued me:
- traverse of Glacier National Park, 50-60+ miles east-to-west (MT)*
- traverse of the Olympic Mountains, 40+ miles (WA)
- West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, 47 miles (BC)
- Art Loeb Trail, 30+ miles (NC)***
- Alum Cave Bluff Trail to Greenbrier Cove, 50+ miles (NC/TN)***
- Kesugi Ridge, 27+ miles (AK)**
** link to the ultra on Kesugi Ridge HERE
*** there's a good chance I'll do one of these with some friends, in preparation for one of the events below
Each of the above adventures are probably more scenic/epic than most sanctioned events, since the national parks in those areas prohibit competitive events (except for Kesugi Ridge), so these are still viable options to consider. The hardest part is finding someone else to go along. Something an ultra offers that these adventures don't: aid stations and other runners. I'm not afraid to run through bear country solo, I'm afraid of hurting myself and my wife being worried for days (if I'm alive) while I try to crawl out of the forest to civilization.
Destin 50 remains the only race I have done beyond the distance of a marathon, winning the overall 50K during the inaugural event in 2011. The field was small, and most of the fast guys participated in the 50-miler, so it wasn't a really big deal. What's cool is that I maintain a 100% rating on Ultrasignup.com to this date.
The search
With the first half of 2014 devoted to running the ING Miami & Boston marathons, the search has been narrowed to finding a race somewhere between July and October. Other criteria to consider:
On December 1st, registration opens for the Sinister 7; a 100-mile ultra in Crows Pass, Alberta in July. According to the race website, the registration will probably fill up in 10-15 minutes. Also, there are no prerequisites to enter the race. It also meets all of the above criteria (2-3 hour drive from Kalispell, MT). Decisions, decisions....
If I'm not able to register quick enough on December 1st, here's a list of other events I'm considering:
Besides UTMB, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa is an event on my bucket list. If only the roundtrip airfare was $1000+ dollars cheaper. After clicking on the website, I did notice that the registration is still open until the end of the November. Hmmmmmm...An interesting note on this race: I ran the first half of the New York City Marathon 2011 with a gentleman named Bruce. He was a nice guy I estimated to be in his late-50s. He must've been important, since there were several groups of fans cheering him on throughout the race. The next day, I looked up the results of all the runners from South Africa and discovered that I ran with Bruce Fordyce; 9-time winner of the Comrades Marathon.
Update 1
I almost forgot to add this to the list: The Bob Marshall Wilderness Open. It's just a bit too soon after Boston, and during a time of year (May 31st) when the snow will still be present at the high elevations in northern Montana, and the lower elevations will be wet from the melting snow. BUT it breathes big adventure and there are so many "unknowns" to consider. This is something that is probably #1 on my list, but last on the list of family-bringable events. Definitely a solo adventure.
Update 2
And the winner is.....
Fat Dog!
Each of the above adventures are probably more scenic/epic than most sanctioned events, since the national parks in those areas prohibit competitive events (except for Kesugi Ridge), so these are still viable options to consider. The hardest part is finding someone else to go along. Something an ultra offers that these adventures don't: aid stations and other runners. I'm not afraid to run through bear country solo, I'm afraid of hurting myself and my wife being worried for days (if I'm alive) while I try to crawl out of the forest to civilization.
Destin 50 remains the only race I have done beyond the distance of a marathon, winning the overall 50K during the inaugural event in 2011. The field was small, and most of the fast guys participated in the 50-miler, so it wasn't a really big deal. What's cool is that I maintain a 100% rating on Ultrasignup.com to this date.
The search
With the first half of 2014 devoted to running the ING Miami & Boston marathons, the search has been narrowed to finding a race somewhere between July and October. Other criteria to consider:
- in the lower-48 states, or close to an airport in the lower-48 (so I can use less Delta Skymiles, or use a companion ticket to bring along 3 additional family members without breaking the bank)
- in a location with beautiful mountains (I like mountains)
- not a lottery
- a UTMB-qualifying race (UTMB in 2015?)
- a place where my wife won't go crazy trying to corral two young children at an aid station while I'm getting my ultra-fix
On December 1st, registration opens for the Sinister 7; a 100-mile ultra in Crows Pass, Alberta in July. According to the race website, the registration will probably fill up in 10-15 minutes. Also, there are no prerequisites to enter the race. It also meets all of the above criteria (2-3 hour drive from Kalispell, MT). Decisions, decisions....
If I'm not able to register quick enough on December 1st, here's a list of other events I'm considering:
- Canadian Death Race, August, Alberta. It's a bit of a haul from Kalispell, but it would be an awesome road trip (Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, etc. along the way)...plus, there's a kids race. Isabella will almost be 4, so she should be able to run a 5K by then, eh?
- Fat Dog 70, British Columbia. There's a 120-miler, too, but I need a resume to get into that one. It meets to above criteria, and would be a great trip flying in-and-out of Seattle with a stop in Vancouver. Plus, it would hopefully qualify me for the 120-mile event to do in 2015.
- One of the "What if I just do my own thing?" things
Besides UTMB, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa is an event on my bucket list. If only the roundtrip airfare was $1000+ dollars cheaper. After clicking on the website, I did notice that the registration is still open until the end of the November. Hmmmmmm...An interesting note on this race: I ran the first half of the New York City Marathon 2011 with a gentleman named Bruce. He was a nice guy I estimated to be in his late-50s. He must've been important, since there were several groups of fans cheering him on throughout the race. The next day, I looked up the results of all the runners from South Africa and discovered that I ran with Bruce Fordyce; 9-time winner of the Comrades Marathon.
Update 1
I almost forgot to add this to the list: The Bob Marshall Wilderness Open. It's just a bit too soon after Boston, and during a time of year (May 31st) when the snow will still be present at the high elevations in northern Montana, and the lower elevations will be wet from the melting snow. BUT it breathes big adventure and there are so many "unknowns" to consider. This is something that is probably #1 on my list, but last on the list of family-bringable events. Definitely a solo adventure.
Update 2
And the winner is.....
Fat Dog!
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