New Mile Stones

My brother, two close friends and I recently committed to our first ultra marathon.  We are seeking out a truly novel experience, particularly one that will force us into the darker, deeper recesses of our minds.  The ultimate goal is to expand our breath of experience, to learn more about ourselves, and to reposition our perspectives.  The race is just under 100 days away.  May 3rd.  On that morning we will lace up and enter into the mysterious world of post 26.2.  In the weeks leading up to the race our team will share some of our thoughts and experiences as we train and prepare for our first 50k.  The following post is from Robbie Mason who is training on the mountain trails outside of West Point:

Matt and I took the first steps yesterday towards an ambitious goal: TNF 50k in May. Lucky enough to live a short drive from the course, we find solace and quiet in the woods. Trudging through the snow and harsh winds up steep climbs we battle an internal dialogue. Anyone can crush the downhills while on a run. Momentum carries you easily and you float on effortlessly. Mentally you are relaxed and positive. However, like much in life, the uphills, and how you handle them, is what defines you as a runner and as a person. The moment your muscles start fatiguing, your heart rate is jacked, a battle in your head begins: "Do I slow down? Am I using my arms enough? Do I quit? This blows. I'm going to be dead for the rest of the run." Blocking this inner dialogue out and reaching the top at an even pace, unphased, is what defines your character. Life is defined by the uphills and the more you climb, the more prepared you are for next one.

Why I Run.

Running cements me in the present moment.  It brings me back to a simple, natural almost animal-like existence, something I believe we (human beings) all crave quite desperately, if only subconsciously.  For me, each footfall shakes off the weighty tarnish of the everyday.  When I am running I can feel myself shedding stresses, anxieties, judgements.  Running dissolves life's rust, and leaves me mentally and physically clear, open and flexible.   Running gives my day purpose, if it is all I have done in the day, then so be it, I feel fulfilled. I also believe that running makes me a better person.  A morning run places my day on a solid foundation, fostering patience and acceptance.  I believe human beings evolved to run, to run far and to run consistently.  Any doubts I may have on this are always quickly dismantled and dissolved whenever I find myself accelerating on a winding, tree swallowed, single track.

"Running has always been a relief and a sanctuary—something that makes me feel good, both physically and mentally. For me it's not so much about the health benefits. Those are great, but I believe that the best thing about running is the joy it brings to life."- KG

Half Recollections from the Trail

…too tired and dehydrated to care we all polished off another liter of sketchily treated back spring water from our Nalgenes. The last 15 miles were a blur. What mile were we on now? 38? 43? Does it even matter? My mind had started blurring the lines between the conscious and subconscious. I was cleanly out of the “zone”. We were now going 3 or 4 hour sections without saying a single word to each other. We didn’t need to. Every once in a while Matt or Sed would utter something unintelligible, either because my mind couldn’t process their words or because their minds couldn’t process their speech.

“Why have we been walking through this stream for the last hour?”

“We haven’t.”

Mild hallucinations creep into our vision. I shake my head; the dirt single track comes back into view. I steal a glance at my watch.. It’s 1:35pm. We’ve been hard on the trail for some 13 hours. We push ideas of cold water and a soft bed out of our heads. The most rested person on the team is myself; I’ve only been awake for 33 hours. I think to myself, “how are these guys pushing this hard, this late? they’ve been up for nearly 40 hours now...”

I fade back into that washed out timeless headspace and put another step down in front of me.