ENDURrun 2010: Pre-Race Thoughts

To succeed you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality – Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop

So, it is the night before Stage 1 of the ENDURrun, I’ve just finished a very wonderful IPA, and am getting my things ready for tomorrow. In just about 8 hours, I will be running the half marathon. I am excited, scared, and nervous, all at the same time. Excited, because I’m here with all these fantastic athletes, and participating in an event put on by possibly the best race director I’ve ever known. Scared, because I know deep down in my heart that I haven’t put in the requisite training, and that I will suffer for it. Nervous, because, well, I’m nervous before every race. Those that know me know that I barely sleep the night before. Tonight will probably be no exception. Strange bed, strange residence, strange sheets, strange surroundings.

For those new to my mailing list, the ENDURrun is a running race like no other. It consists of 7 stages, taking place over 8 days. In total, I will be running 160km over those days. The race director, Lloyd Schmidt, has designed this event to be a true test of the complete runner. It tests you mentally, as well as physically. The stages take place over flat roads, dirt trails, grass knolls, steep dirt trails, gravel roads, and everything in between. Some of them are multiple loops of the same thing, making you feel like your in a sequel of the movie Groundhog Day.

Now you may ask, why, would I put myself through something so tough. Well, this year, it’s hard to say exactly why. Part of it is to reconnect and spend a week with some phenomenal runners, and hopefully regain some of the passion and determination and love for running that I’ve lost this past year. Partly, it’s to see if I can really still run, even after losing my running partner, and watching my training and motivation to train dwindle. Am I still ONE TOUGH RUNNER? Lastly, it’s to participate in a truly fun running event, since so many of my runs this year have not been remotely fun.

Well, the clock ticks, and it is time to rest up for tomorrow’s stage. More updates to come tomorrow!