Like many things that impact your life there are associated highs and lows with a big running event. You become almost manic-depressive in the time leading up to and after an event. During a set of in season events it becomes an emotional and physical roller coaster. My favorite time frame is the last week before a race. Many people don't like this time because of the tapering involved, muscles seem to hurt, anxiety sets in, you feel like you're getting fatter, lots of things make this last week a mental struggle. I happen to love the last days before a race. I think about every nuance of the race from gathering at the start to how the competitors will settle in during the cool dawn moments before the heat and meat of the competition grabs them.
Of course, with that emotional high comes the week following an event. What now? I'm achy. Did I just eat a half gallon of ice cream? I feel fat. That one cloud up there looks like it may open up at any minute into a severe thunderstorm-I better just take another day off today. All these thoughts settle in and rise up around me like heavy, wet sand in the week following an event.
I've pulled out of it this week by getting out for a couple of shorter (7mi and 6mi) runs and then a longer outing of 3 hours and 4,000 climb today, exactly one week since the North Fork 50 miler (and my subsequent melt-down). I also fought off the post-ultra depression by focusing on upcoming races. Next month I have the honor of pacing Tim W. at the Leadville 100 mile. I just hope I can keep up with him for 50 miles even with 50 miles already on his little tootsies. Then (and I've been thinking about this race for 2 years) I decided I'm doing the Bear 100 miler in Utah (well, and in Idaho technically). I figure why waste my time with easy hundreds like Rocky Racoon, Leadville, or even bother with Western States. I'll just go for the big banana and run one of the most difficult in the country (save Wasatch and Hardrock, of course).
So, the world is spinning at the right speed for me and life is humming at the right frequency again now that I have events with which I can soak my mind in planning, anticipating, training and general daydreaming.
Off to buy more ice cream.
You will love the Bear! And you do actually pass a sign that says welcome to Idaho even though you are in the middle of no where on a random double track/jeep road at that point.
ReplyDeleteI guess I will see you in Leadville - I'm pacing Dylan B. from Halfmoon in...
That all sounds about right. Thank God you're not a freak or something.
ReplyDeleteNice dude!!! I found the perfect loop in Indian Peaks for you to train on for the Bear. Let me know if you want the details.
ReplyDeleteSure thing, Shad. Sorry about your grandpa. I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks bro, it has been a little rough. He is my father figure I guess you would say. I still have my dad but I hardly ever talk to him, my grandpa (my dad's side) I talked to at least 4-5 times a week. Like you said Moving On.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I lost my dad suddenly in 2001 and have never been the same person since.
ReplyDeleteNick, thanks much for all the great info and advice on the Bear 100. I appreciate it a lot! Let's run soon.
ReplyDeleteI love the pre race attitude compared to most (umm, guy in the mirror). You got to live it large!
ReplyDeleteIce cream? Nah ... BEER!
100? At least you're "attending" one first. Yikes. Ultra is like a cool-aide. I'm going to find me a slightly overweight 50k and settle down. Maybe a curvy 50 miler. 100? I guess the bigger the bitch, the more beer you can drink. This is the end of my R rated comment.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Tim!
ReplyDelete