Thursday, February 21, 2008

Freak

Searching for things I can't see
Mountains in front of me
No nothing will conquer my existence
Fear will not discover my brain

Days of the New

It is one thing to find what you are looking for but another to search for things that can't be seen. In some ways, this is what running affords us, a way to search for what can't be seen - possibilities, potential and hope. It is why it is hard to explain to the mortal sedentary types the joy that comes from running. I find that the longer the distance, the more evident these truths become. We runners hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable (OK, Thomas Jefferson's original line in the Declaration of Independence can be applied to running also!)

As I start to prepare a schedule for mararthons to get myself to the half way point of 50 states this year, my mind is still on my attempt at a 100 mile ultra in April. The last two lines of the song above will need to be embedded in my heart, soul and mind. They are true for everyone, those taking their first step to a running lifestyle or those running their first 5K, first marathon or first ultra. Even for us more experienced, we need to keep the same mindset. The word fear is used 366 times in the bible (not that I counted) and is one of the biggest demobilizers of doing anything and everything in life. We must have faith in God and in ourselves to conquer fear not just in running but in life.

As for marathons, Providence, RI has a new marathon this year and is the only marathon in RI (unless Breakers is still around) so I better pounce on that one to pick up RI in May. I hope to run Deadwood-Mickelson in June which is supposedly a beautiful trail marathon on the Deadwood-Mickelson trail near Rapid City, SD. Of course, I will run Baltimore in October making it the 8th straight year on my quest for 25. I am still evaluating others for September, October and November. I also hope to run the JFK 50 mile again to redeem myself from last year's DNF. I have learned some good lessons from my two DNF ultras last year. I am not an ultra freak yet but still a marathon manic.