What Lies Ahead

Well as the title states, what lies ahead?  Well other than me after I trip over that branch that I new was there but failed to lift my foot over.  Just one of the realities of trail running and usually the highlight of your ultra stories.  Better yet you might even have a battle wound to boast about!

Back to what this post is really about though is the challenges of planning your future running endeavors.  There are many variables to these adventures and often options that can help solve them.  Question is do they satisfy your need and are they really achievable.  Also of course life is also capable of throwing a few curve balls.  Injuries, loss/change of job, and illness are just a few of the variables.

In my family the first obstacle is just that...I have a family.  Not a small family either.  We are a family of six with three young daughters and one little guy.  Trying to find the energy to deal with them, their own sports, and the inevitable meltdowns, kids take a lot of my time.

At best my training is completely relegated to early morning runs, this includes long runs.  This is a fine option but the one side effect that I notice is fatigue.  Not fatigue in training but around the house.  Not ideal especially in such a large family as everyone has to do their share.

Fortunately their has been one change recently.  My kids like to run trails.  Yes they don't do big mileage but at least I can mix family time with running.

Another difficult decision as a runner is planning for the future and picking races.  There is always many options but which one is right for me.  Well for one I don't like standing around.  Say no to mudhero and other obstacle races.  Other is commitment at very early stage of the calendar year.  Is my training going to be optimal, am I moving, is my wife going to"let" me race, lol.  Because of this many road and top level Ultra races are of the list.  Solution-well still working on this one.

Finally is the cost.  Ultra running is expensive.  I presume if you are reading this you already know that.  Between registration, travel, shoes, clothing, kit, and food, race day blows through the budget.  I was fortunate to race trails regularly in Nova Scotia.  Races coordinated by Jodi Isenor and Nova Scotia trail running were fantastic affordable events.  As an added bonus Salomon provided a lot of sweet swag.

Really this was just a bunch of rambling but really that was the point.  As most of you know our lives as long distance runners is just nuts.  Crazy pulled in all directions, yet we stick with it and enjoy the spectacular spirit of pure suffering in some of the most beautiful places in the world.  All of which requires a great deal of planning, mental fortitude, luck, and finally a strong support system.