I need a qualifier for a race I really want to do next year. My qualifier needs to be either two 50mile races or a 100km race. I chose the 100km distance. I'm not a huge person for racing or competition, my competition is always within myself, my brain against my body, battling a love hate relationship with the trail, mountain, elements. I do like to see how I measure up against others and I do and have had a lot of great experiences at different types of races. From triathlon(sprint, Olympic, ironman)marathons, open water swim races, mountain bike racing, road racing. Trail running races are by far the most fun for me. Thus this is what I have pursued for the last couple years.
My big race for 2014 is 'Ultra Trail Mt Fuji'. A 100 mile circumnavigation of one of the most iconic mountains anywhere in this world. I have not run a 100 mile race before, I have wanted to knock this distance off for quite some time, in 2014 it WILL happen, in Japan.
In order to compete in a race such as this you don't and can't just sign up. You have to prove that your capable of being allowed in a race like this. It's not for the newbie, it's not for the OCD bucket list gym fanatic. It's for the person who has payed his dues, respects the mountain and trails, who wants to truly see what his body and mind can do, and it's for the person who has a passion for running.
Running is a passion that I have always had, it's true forward momentum of just you and your body, no mechanized machinery to fail and let you down, no skis that you need skills to operate, no device to put on your feet or in your hands, just you, your body and your will power to keep going.
I will compete in the Elk Lake 100km trail running ultra in early May. I have a lot of work to do. I have a good base but I really need to extend that long run. Time on feet is what I need to work at, running on tired legs, going when the tank is empty. I hope to work on this aspect over the next two months.
Tomorrow I'm off to the north shore to get a long hilly run in, hopefully I can get a solid 4-5 hours on the Baden Powell trail. I will follow this up with a recovery bike ride the day after and another longish run on Friday...Saturday is back to work for my four days.
I guess I should go get my shit together for tomorrow then...
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