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 The first time ever I have withdrawn from a race!!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.
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.
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