A Quintessence of Running

This is a foot race. But in many ways, it’s a little more than just a foot race. 100 kilometers in Wyoming’s Red Desert. A desolate, somewhat barren landscape. But yet it holds a peaceful beauty in itself.

This is not a race to win. This is not a race against the other participants. What this is, is a race against the course, the 19hr cut off and most important, a race against yourself.

Often the question why comes up. Why intentionally put yourself in a harsh, rugged and lonely environment where your body and your mind are being pushed to the brink. For me, the answer is personal. For me it’s the only true way of continuing to discover myself, finding out through the pain and misery what I’m capable of. At the same time the hours of being alone allows my thoughts and emotions to let go of all things negative and look forward to things of the opposite.

I have this gift to endure. I use it to my advantage. If I don’t push myself beyond my limits, I will never get stronger. So, while my mind and body still allow me, I will keep pushing because I want to get stronger.