If this was a normal race report I would tell you about the beautiful, somewhat hilly course right here in the Burg. I would tell you about Ellen, the awesome race director. I would tell you about my fellow runners, two of whom came up from the Outer Banks to join in on the fun. I would tell you it was hot and humid. I would tell you Kate Nguyen, the person I ran the previous two Singletrack Maniac 50ks with, didn't make it this year due to a bad ankle. I would also tell you Chris Robertson and I became the only three-time finishers of the event. But this isn't a normal race report.
Basically, I ran the entire race solo, which is unusual for me. It's not that there weren't other runners out there to chat with. I just didn't feel like it. I was feeling rather introspective, probably because I realized it would be my very last race in the 55-59 age group.
Running solo for hours in the middle of the woods gives you lots of time to think.
Turning 40 and 50 didn't phase me a bit. Getting ready to turn 60 seems like kind of a big deal. Why? Every day something reminds me I'm not young anymore. For example, if I sit still for too long, I get stiff and it hurts to move. Why wasn't I prepared for this? I could go on, but won't.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I don't plan to change my behavior. I want to keep running. My times haven't slowed down yet, but I know it will happen eventually.
The other thing I was thinking about a lot was why do we run ultras? I know there are many answers. We like the challenge. We like to see what we're capable of. We like to spend time outdoors. We like the social aspect. We like to run.
Gary Cantrell says the only true test is to attempt something where failure is a real possibility.
To my fellow ultra runners, why do you run ultras?
