I was supposed to be "done" my races for 2011 by now.  My last race was the fun and fantastic 5 Peaks this past weekend where I do the sport distance (between 6 - 8 km).  Every one always assumes I'll be doing a longer distance but I like to get in a few short, fast runs during the season...well, fast for me.

I was looking forward to going into Thanksgiving weekend being able to kick back, relax, eat pumpkin pie knowing that the only things in my future were Halloween candy and Christmas turkey before kicking up training in January again.  However, I have Iron Horse staring me in the face....2 1/2 weeks and I will do my final race of the year, the elusive 100 mile distance.  This time it will be my last race because there are no more locally for me to register in until Fat Ass hits early January. 

I thought I would be too tired to train well, but when I looked at the calendar I realized  I really only have a few weeks to get some decent running in between Lost Souls and Iron Horse.  This weekend I'll get about 30 km under my legs and then time to taper (and eat pumpkin pie).  I'm feeling strong, no injuries, so will go into this event meeting one of my main goals already which is to always start a race uninjured.  Hopefully this time I meet my goal of finishing...the race and the training (for now).

I decided it was time to start a blog to capture my thoughts/experiences/training during the months leading up to Jordan. Yes, the race is 8 months away, but that time will pass quickly.  I thought I'd start with my thoughts on not completing a race.  The first time ever I have withdrawn from a race!!  Actually, that's not true. In the Red Deer Marathon about 4 years ago I did DNF after about 28 km but turns out I had the flu, measles, or meningitis, depending on whose opinion I ask based on my symptoms...needless to say I was sick and felt justified in the fact I had a DNF. 

In the early hours of September 10th, I DNF'd purely because I chose to quite.  I still don't regret the decision, but it was surprising how easy it was once I made up my mind.  I had been out on the coulees of Lethbridge for 18 hours and by my watch had an estimated 15 hours to go to complete my first 100 miles.  Over 8 hours of it was spent in 30 - 45 degree heat and by midnight the temperature had fallen to about 4 degrees.  I'd fallen down one small ravine, scraped my knee in an earlier stumble and was asked upon entry to the most recent aid station I'd entered if I needed a bucket when they looked at me (yes, I was an interesting shade of green).  I was trudging along by the river, freezing cold due to an unfortunate incident involving a well intentioned volunteer pouring ice water down my pack, soaking my dry, warm clothes I was planning to change into later.  So with no gloves, hat or dry layers to put on I found myself getting colder as the night wore on.  Perhaps I should have focused on the 40 degree heat I was going to get to run in again the next day to push aside the thoughts of the cold.  Instead I was focused on the discomfort and misery of the moment, so I quit at the next aid station.

Do I regret the decision?  No.  I think there are lessons to be learned from every choice.  And that was my lesson.  I had a the luxury of a making a choice.  There are many circumstances people live in that none of us would choose, living without the things that I may take for granted every day. Things like safety, clean water, a pain free, healthy body.  Have the luxury of choice makes me realize how fortunate I am.

I have made the choice to run a 100 mile event, Iron Horse, on October 15th in St. Paul.  I will be heading to Jordan in 8 short months, making the chioce to run in 40+ degree heat every day for 7 days, covering a total of 250 km.  I am making the choice to help others through this experience by donating funds to a cause that will ultimately make a difference to people's lives through supporting important research.  And every day I will try to appreciate how fortunate I am to have choices to make.