Ever since I was 25 miles into my first marathon, there has been this persistant buzzing going around in my head. You see, it was at that point during the Equinox Marathon that there was a person standing on the course directing the marathoners to the right, to run the last mile or so to the finish, and the ultramarathoners to the left, to complete a 5 mile loop before finishing the 50k. I wanted to "have" to go left and run the 50k. At that point, I was also glad to be directed to go right and finish for the day.
Fast forward a couple of months and I am tooling around online looking for my next race when I discover the Sweetwater 50k. Aha! Now I have found my chance to become an ultrarunner. Not long after finishing Sweetwater, that damn buzzing was back....
"You can go further!" "50k is not enough" "What about 50m, or even 100m?" Why would I even entertain thoughts like this...Clearly I have lost my mind! Well, I mean I could finish 50m, I did just run a 50k...
I decided to put those thoughts out of my mind and focus on the task at hand. BQ. that is the real goal right? Except, my heart really isn't in it right now. My heart belongs to the trails. Case in point, I jump at the chance to run Chattooga and rework my training schedule. Even though I got slightly lost and perhaps suffered from serious dehydration, I had a blast. Blog post after blog post I read, there are trail runners everywhere. Ican hear that damn buzzing again.
Then I find out about this race called the Barkley Marathons. More Buzzing. I wonder if I could complete a loop...maybe even the Fun Run...Always in the back of my mind. It's like the running equivilant of "Field of Dreams", if you train for it, your application will come....100 miles...
I swear off all crazy talk and refocus on my winter marathon.
My new friends are all facebooking about trail runs.....Laurel Valley this, Chattooga that. Over night trail runs. Lil Weezy's voice in the back of my head yelling, "Pinhoti Baby!" I see Tony G's face all over FB talking about GRR100. Sully, Charles and Psyche are all talking about trail runs....BUZZZ
100 miler...
Then Western States fever starts heating up....a couple of southeastern runners make the trip out west to attempt a run at a belt buckle. BUZZZ "you should run WS100"
Geoff Roes runs out of his mind and sets the CR....BUZZZZZZZZZ
Then it happens. I crack. "I think I would be best served to pace someone at Pinhoti 100 to see if this is really for me."
Psyche says she would love to have me run with her.
So it's in motion. Pacers can join in after aid station 7, 42 miles in. Hmmm, should I run the remaining 58, you know, to get feel for an attempt at 100?
Then without even thinking about it, I send off my application for Long Cane 50 miler. you know, just for "preparing" to pace at Pinhoti...whatever that means. I'm sick, I tell you...
BUZZZZZZ...Pinhoti....BUZZZZ WS100...BUZZZZ Barkley?
12 comments:
LOL! I think being a pacer is the perfect way to see how a 100 goes. After following WS100 this weekend, I think I heard a bit of the BUZZZ myself, and I haven't even done an ultra yet! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Ahaha, you are crazy!!! A 100m, OMFG! While I really adore those people I wouldn't want to do this. Mostly because I would be too bored. ;-)
But thumps up for you. You can do it, definitely!
Unless the craziness you're talking about involves distances no longer than 10k, I am blameless. I'm innocent, I tells you! You were already crazy when I got here!
Good luck!
Only you Thomas:) This is pretty exciting stuff...this buzz that have have going on! You have got to do this, you have the passion for it and the determination! I will be cheering for you!
That Barkley Marathon is about as crazy as they come. The director intentional sets loose poisonous snakes, from what I've read. Pacing someone is a great way to acclimate to the really long distances. You get to test out your own body while helping someone else. Good luck!
The buzzing's fine. It's when they turn into actual voices in your head that people look at you a little funny. How judgmental, right?
I saw someone's pics from pacing someone through VT100 - pacing looks like a lot of fun!
LOVE this! Very cool. I am planning on living vicariously through you.
Although, that buzzing may just be those soccer horns they keep playing on ESPN?
Buzzzzzz! Isn't it amazing how ultras suck you in after the first one? Less than five weeks until my first hundred. Looking forward with both anticipation and terror, what have I gotten myself into?
When I hear things buzzing incessantly, I usually hit them with a shoe.
Welcome to the adventure, my friend! May you never be the same. I am honored and THRILLED to have you by my side at my first 100. It's gonna be one for the books.
Pinhoti, BABY!!!!
good stuff bro!
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