I ran my first ultramarathon run (a run longer than the 42.2K marathon distance) in late November 1990.
My first "ultra" was actually part of a very long distance triathlon in Hawaii. I recall it became increasingly difficult from the 1/2 way point onwards, as I had never run longer than a marathon before. The last 10K were especially tough. I remember running a curvy line down the side of the road, occasionally weaving out into the traffic lane, leaning too far forward and listing slightly to starboard. I wish someone would have taken more photos (the one to the left was taken near the 1/2 way point when I could still muster a bit of a smile!) I was a mess.
When I reached the finish line, I thought to myself, "Thank God!" My Mom and my fiance were crewing for me and more or less caught me as I crumbled. They hauled me down to the beach to help cool my legs. I just wanted to puke.
Later, I managed to scarf down some Kraft dinner and recall passing out next to a bucket thinking, "Why?"
At the time, I would have considered myself to be a triathlete with a strong road marathon background. I finished that first ultrarun a couple of days after my birthday, so to have even finished an ultra was a nice birthday present. I had no aspirations of becoming an "ultrarunner"... but the fact I'd completed an ultra made me one.
It's been almost 19 years since I ran that first ultra. Soon, I'll achieve a significant milestone: completing 100 ultras.
Yesterday I completed #99. For about half of those 6 hours on the trail, I was alone with my thoughts. Most of those thoughts came back to the, "Why?"
I couldn't find an answer. 'Probably never will.
As I approach the milestone of my 100th ultra, however, I realize it's not about the destination, it's the journey. Running ultras has given me the opportunity to see a lot beautiful places in the world. It's given me a "happy place" to go when the going gets tough and the opportunity to challenge myself physically and mentally. Most importantly, it's given me the opportunity to get to know a lot of special people.
Thanks for being part of my journey. 'Hope yours is just as rewarding!
Comments
Memories
Thanks for triggering some memories Ean. My first Ultra was the Sri Chinmoy 50 Mile on the Tsawassen dike in March of 1992. It was a nice sunny spring day. You won it! The Sri Chinmoy people gave all the finishers a small bouquet of flowers. I think that's where we first met. Paul Quinn was there and Lorraine Lees too. She was running her first Ultra also and eventually ran on the Canadian National 100K Team, as you did too.
My second Ultra was the Mudderfell 6 Hour Run in Portland where I totalled my Mazda 626 in a snowstorm half a mile from the race finish. It ended up costing me two or three thousand bucks. The most expensive race I've ever done. I still have the T-shirt.
You were driving?
"My second Ultra was the Mudderfell 6 Hour Run in Portland where I totalled my Mazda 626 in a snowstorm half a mile from the race finish. It ended up costing me two or three thousand bucks. The most expensive race I've ever done. I still have the T-shirt."
Not to mention the most expensive T-Shirt ever!
What were you doin' driving in an ultra in the first place?
And the man looks as fresh as ever.
Karl will post a flash 12 hour event for Saturday at UBC and with MHM on Sunday you can score 101 and really move up in the ranking.
Go, Ean, Go!
100 is a mighty accomplishment. The bears and grouse in Manning Park will join in chorus when you cross the Frosty finish line.
Or...
They will make fun of my bandana, goofy shorts, Hawaii shirt and other similarities between me and my hero: Forrest Gump.
this is uncanny
" The girls..."
"The girls then hauled me down to the beach to help cool my legs. "
I dunno either, but that seems as good a reason as any that I've heard!
Btw....you still run in that same outfit!!!
Why?
You are right Bro, I remember all the races that I ran, but remember very few RESULTS...
We remember the process of training as most of the journey, the race, or run, is just the icing on the cake.