Sometimes You Just Do Things - A Year Later.

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of a significant milestone in my life.  June 29, 2013 was the first time I ran an ultra-marathon.  It was 50 miles of tough trails in the amazing Black Hills of South Dakota which included 18,000 gnarly feet of elevation change.  It was the first time I'd ever run more than 16 miles at one time.  It was also quite possibly the first time I found out what I was really capable of.

Cool award from the Black Hills.  Got 1st in my age group at both of my 50 milers (the other was The North Face Wisconsin).

Cruising the meadows between hills at my first ultra last June.

The series of events that led me to the starting line of a 50 mile race in Sturgis, South Dakota is filled with tales of typical mid-life ups and downs which mostly are not worth re-telling here.  That I should find myself lining up for a 50 mile running race in retrospect seems preposterous.  I mean, I've always raced something, motocross, BMX, mountain bikes, etc.  But running?  Why would anyone want to do that once high school is over?

I couldn't believe I was only half way done.  The 25 mile run back to Sturgis was solitary and painful...and beautiful.

In hindsight though, ultra-running and I were destined to meet eventually.  For me, the defining moment was on an airplane en-route to London for a software conference in the spring of 2013.  It was on that flight that I first read the book "Eat and Run" by Scott Jurek who is now deeply entrenched in my mind as a running/life hero.  That book redefined for me what is possible.  He told tales in the book that resonated in a deep way.  Things changed after that.  I signed up.

Blame it all on this guy.  (Scott Jurek)

That race marked the beginning of a year full of long runs, new friends, plentiful amounts of hard-earned beer, great trips, and challenging races.  During my initial year of ultra-running I completed two 50 mile races, seven or eight 50 kilometer events, and several shorter races as well.  It turned out that being on the trails, connecting with the dirt and the rocks, and truly learning about the fine line between daily life and "the edge" has provided a new way to live - a better way.  It has increased my focus and determination, added a LOT of rich new relationships, and helped me achieve the best fitness of my life at a ripe old age.

My great friend Tad on the way to the Black Hills race last June.  He did the 100 mile mountain bike race the same day. 

Me and my buddy Jeff.  He is 50.  And he is faster than you.

Me and Steph Whitmore at Lake Perry.  It was fun having her there to support me in my best race yet.

Yours truly with Ben Holmes - Trail Nerds Race Director Extraordinaire.  Pic taken in May of 2014, I finished 2nd overall.

Me and some of the awesome Turkey ladies at the Pilot Knob race.

Hanging with Gary and Charlie.  A couple of really amazing guys I'm proud to have as friends.

In this past year, I've run quite a lot.  Much of it has been the ho-hum training runs on the paved trail behind my home, but also in some fantastic locations - Nevada, California, Florida, South Dakota, Texas, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, London, New York, 60 times around a 1/4 mile track on a cruise ship, and lots more.  All in a year.  It's amazing how much you can cram into a year, even for a busy dad with a career and four kids.  What an awesome, challenging, and rewarding year it has been since that first foray into the weird world of ultra running.

Running a creek-side trail just outside of Austin.

Trails just outside of Vegas.  Which loop do you think I chose?

Running Mt Tam near San Francisco - the birthplace of mountain biking

Overall, for a newbie, the running has gone well for me and I'm super excited to see what I can do over the coming year.  Sure I wish I was 25 again and just starting trail racing, perhaps even making a career of it.  But it is also rewarding to perform at a high level against runners decades younger than me - and even finishing inside the top 3 overall a few times now.  But in the end, as most people who run ultras know, the "racing" is really just a byproduct.  The real reward is being out there, finding the edge, and getting things done.

My main hope with this post is to inspire others to get out there and test their limits - if I can help motivate somebody to reach a new goal, mission accomplished!

What's coming next?  100 miles...

"Sometimes You Just Do Things" - Scott Jurek

Some fun hardware collected in the past year.

These four little gangsters give me all the motivation and love a dad could ever ask for.