I'm good

I don't think it would be fair to say that I 'talked myself out' of anything...I put quite a bit of thought into where I'm at, what I'm feeling and what I want to do next and things just weren't lining up. Aside from that, I've really enjoyed the notion of:

1. Running whenever I want
2. Running for fun

The lack of pressure to remain true to a regimented training plan or waking up at 4 am daily has been a welcome relief these last couple of weeks. Perhaps the psuedo vacation we're on currently in North Dakota is partly to blame. It also may just be that I'm tired of chasing a goal. Don't get me wrong, I love finding the next challenge but seriously, I've been chasing goals for over 4 years now.

What started with this desire to do a marathon has ended with running a 50-mile race. All the while, healing a debilitating case of plantar faciitis in the process and finding a solid well-being to accompany me through these life-changing events.

From a fitness standpoint, I'm happy with where I'm at. There isn't one thing I've set out to do that I haven't accomplished. Jill Homer, author and fellow endurance blogger, previously asked, "What are your great moments?" Here are my Top 5.

6.5-mile training run (Redmond, WA)

Though I don't remember the month, I know it had snowed and there was a layer of semi-slushy snow with a crusty frozen top on the ground. Justin and I were scheduled to do a run around the loop but the presence of snow made it slightly less-than-appealing. We did it anyway. When we finished that loop we looked at each other and said, "Let's do it again". Up to that point, our longest run was probably 4 miles. In some of the worse conditions possible, we threw caution to the wind and ran 6.5 miles.

It was my first running moment when I realized that I could do (what felt like) anything.

Portland Marathon 2007

My first marathon. Ran this with Justin and had agreed that we'd finish together no matter what. We each had our own issues which made the stories and memories even better. To this day I give Justin grief for woofing down his Cliff Bar at mile 18. I'll never forget the energy and pride I felt coming through that chute in downtown Portland.

PF Chang Phoenix Half Marathon 2009

I spend the 2 years post the Portland Marathon dealing with plantar faciitis (in fact, I remember the moment I felt my facia tear after the Portland marathon). This race was not only a fitness goal but my inaugural event back to running. My goal was to break 2 hours - which I did at 1:57. This was also the race I discovered chocolate milk as a post-race recovery drink (funny the crap I remember!)

Ironman Arizona

After multiple 70.3 Ironman triathlons, I finally pulled the trigger to do a full Ironman. 6-plus months of training taught me that nothing comes easy. The mojo required to get up at 4 am five days a week was exhausting. I distinctly remember my first 100-mile brick workout (bike followed by run). As I finished my 115-mile bike ride, I remember thinking to myself as I started my 5-mile run, "This is freaking (PG-word substituted) unbelievable! How am I doing this?!"

Black Hills 100 (50-mile race)

14 hours is a long time to think about life and your own mortality. This was (is) my defining moment as a (now) ultra-runner. I completely enjoyed the challenge and grandeur of this scenic race. 9000' of elevation gain in the Black Hills of SD was one of those moments of undeniable accomplishment and possibility - armed with the knowledge that I did this, I'm ready to tackle anything.

Admittedly, this was a long-winded way of saying, I'm good. Not in a big-headed egotistical-kind of way...but as-in, I'm satisfied. I'm at peace.

I've decided not to do any races for now.

No goals. No 4 am wake-up calls. Oh sure, I'll still be running. But just for fun.

Decisions, decisions

Hard to believe it's only been about 3 weeks since the inaugural running of the Black Hills 100 (50-mile race for me). For those of you who did not check the results, I came in 11th out of 13 in my age group and 24th out of 33 runners overall. I've always maintained that the results are not what matter - only that I finish...and that's exactly what I did.

Over the last couple weeks, I've been somewhat underwhelmed with the notion of running - our schedule has been super-busy these last couple weeks visiting with friends at the Mall of America, driving to North Dakota to see my family and generally just keeping up with the kids. To be honest, I just haven't been able to find the time.

Over the weekend however, I read Run! by Dean Karnazes. There is something about that dude that just lights a fire inside me. I'd like to think there is a mini-Karno inside of me always looking for that next wild and crazy adventure. While I love the notion of being that nutso guy who attempts endurance events that other people just shake their heads at and call 'crazy', I also love the sense of accomplishment that comes with these unique adventures.

For a while now, I've been thinking that the Portland Marathon was in my future - I really enjoyed the venue and energy back in 2007 (my first marathon ever!). That was until I saw the price of it. $145 bucks for 26.2 miles (that's $5.53 a mile). Yikes. Why exactly was I running this event? Oh yeah, Boston qualifying. The reality of training through the Arizona summer probably makes the chances of that pretty slim. Verdict - undecided.

There is this nagging desire to take on another 50-miler in August. The Lean Horse 100 in Hot Springs, SD is calling out to me...with only 2,000' of elevation gain and a super-simple flat run on the Mickelson Trail, I'm extra-tempted to see how well I can do with more of the pure distance rather than the distance AND  9,000'+ of elevation gain from the Black Hills 100. Verdict - undecided.

Decided. I've already signed up for the PF Chang Marathon in January of 2012 (@ $70, how could you not sign up for a that?!?).

As you can see, there isn't much on the horizon right now but that could change very easily. Clearly, I have some decisions to make.

In the meantime, maybe I'll write Dean Karnazes and tell him his book would be better if he included $150 in the back to help you register for a marathon :)