Determination

The topic for the last month or two surrounds the word determination, although not in the sense that I thought it would. The sport I love called running has sure become a great metaphor for how life is today....

As the time went on and the desire to go longer distance evolved, different races became appealing. One day while feeling motivated, I agreed to sign up for the 100k at Dizzy Daze. 62 miles aroung Green Lake in Seattle. Knowing full well I had not run more than 31 miles in one shot and not more than 56 miles in a weekend, it still looked doable. Soon I realized that I would be doing 3 ultras in 3 weeks, and BIG ones too! That is the way that feels good though, to make the most out of every weekend when the time is your own, so that we did.

I am blessed to have a man in my life that is full of passion to make the best out of a day as well, so off to Way Too Cool we went! This would be the first chance at experiencing the biggest ultra in the country. 560 runners, and good ones too!

Just before Way Too Cool, the Ultrarunning 2008 review came out and I couldn't put it down! All of the fast times from the races around the country from 24 hours to 50k races were right there on paper. Wow, how fun is that? BUT, it turned on the competitor in me and made me realize that I do love to compete, and be the absoute best I can. It is in my blood and certainly in my spirit. During this point, however some sort of ill was going through my body and sucked the life right out of my muscles, especially in my much needed legs... So even though I toed the line intending to attack this race and see how I measure up to some very fast runners, my body didn't respond with the same intensity. I even found myself walking a bit at 3 or 4 miles in! But, the race went well and we had an awesome time. I will remember forever coming out of the woods and seeing the arch at what I thought was the finish and having still 1.3 miles to go! The worst part is I knew the course from reading the description so I knew there was an aid station right at the end, but when I heard the music and people, I was stoked to be DONE! OOPS... Determination-you bet.

Next came Chuckanut. This event is in my home town, only 20 minutes away. The race is huge, and lots of who's who from the Northwest run this race. I was thinking about not even running it, as my body just felt lifeless, sore, and all around punky. The night before was my 37th birthday, and we celbrated with a great dinner in Anacortes. That morning, I was still on the fence about running the race, as I just did not feel right, and the night before took it out of me fighting mental and physical drama. Something told me that morning, that I could fight it out, so I picked up my number and entered the race. Miraculously, my body somehow overcame the contamination inside just before the start and I started feeling GREAT! The sun was out, the air was crisp, and I was now destined to have a great day. Finished 2nd after going out 7th or 8th and had a fantastic time! Determination-Yep.

On to Dizzy... Joe found a way to make it to run with me on my first long run, and I was so thankful. We woke up to awful weather, but it didn't even matter, I was really excited about the challenge of the long miles. Round and round we went, slogging through rain, wind, and cold. As most people know, I hate the rain, and really hate to be cold. However, today, it didn't matter, I really wanted 50+ miles. On the 16th lap, we came to the conclusion that the weather had done us in and we couldn't bear the thought of the most generous volunteers sitting in the cold any longer while we went in circles for another 1 1/2 hours. We happily hung it up at 51.2 miles knowing full well I could've done 100k no problem. Satisfaction-absolutely. Determination-yes sir.

The next day, we chose to loosen up with a few miles on a railroad grade in Sedro Woolley. Joe had just asked me how my legs were. I had just finished responding that they were good, I happily felt just fine after my first 50+ mile day ever. It wasn't 5 minutes later, we saw a lady walking with 2 prosthetics down the trail.... Hmmm, changes the perspective of sore legs huh? Wow.... It was right then that the meaning of determination came apparent. Not surprisingly, when we stopped to chat with her we found out she was a marathoner in the past. That is what this sport we choose teaches us-to push through the tough stuff-to know that the wall is temporary-to acheive what we think we can't-to do more than others say we can-to NEVER set limits based on assumptions-and to get back up no matter how far we fall. THAT IS DETERMINATION.

Life's challenges give us an option to accept or deny them. Acceptance is the first step. The second step is the hardest-push through them no matter what-succeed anyway.

~Determination