A Little R&R

After running seven ultramarathon trail races in as many months, I decided I needed a little rest and recovery and should take a break from running for a while. I ended last year by running the McDowell Mt 50 miler. In January I ran the Puzzler Marathon in the Franklin Mts; February challenged me to the Sierra Ultra Vista 60K in the desert; March was the Bataan Death March (26.2mi); April, the Cedro Peak 45 Miler; May, the Jemez Mt 50K (10,400 ft elev.) and earlier this month, I attempted the San Diego 100 miler, but only made it to mile 44 due to high heat. (Click “Table of Contents” to read individual race reports)

Geronimo's Cabin, Ruidoso, NM

San Diego 100 Mile Endurance Run

Mt Laguna in the Cleveland National Forest sits at almost 6000 ft above the sea. Two nights ago I nearly froze in my tent so I bought an ear warmer headband for the night portion of today’s 100 mile race. I’m sitting nervously in a rustic lodge waiting for the race to start. I’m early as usual so I position and pin my bib #110 on my shorts and then re-position and re-pin it. This goes on for a good 10 minutes.

For the last time before race start I ponder my “what-if” list. What if I twist my ankle, what if my Camelbak leaks, what if I get bit by a snake, what if it gets dark before I pickup my headlamp, what if there is an earthquake, wildfire, the sky is falling?  After all, if you run long enough something is bound to happen, right?