While I am not sure why I created a blog or why I haven't posted to it in a few years, I also don't know why I am posting now. Since that first Thunder Road on 12/11/10, I have run 7 more marathons, 2 50K's, and a 40 miler. I am not fast, have set no land speed records, nor care to. More enjoyment in running comes from distance. It is the experience. Every race I have run, I have met at least one person who shared some miles with me and more importantly, a little piece of themselves. During he quiet, isolated running times, I have prayed, laughed, and cried. All with good purpose, never from physical pain.
I ran my first ultra February 2013 which was the Uwharrie Mountain Run 40 miler. I ran no trails or real hills leading up to this run, but finished, before the cutoff. I got to see the sun both rise and set from the top of the mountain. I finished the last two miles with three other guys, in the dark, with headlamps. I ran that race knowing it would qualify me for Umstead. One of those guys I finished with was running Umstead in April 2013. By the finish line of those 40 miles, I was not beat, I was ready to take he leap. When sign up rolled around I was on my computer and ready to hit refresh over and over until the registration screen appeared. I quickly filled out the form and entered my credit card number and hit submit before the registration screen timed out. Then I realized what I had just done.
One week from right now, at 6 am on April 5th, 2014, I will toe the starting line of the Umstead 100. Am I ready? I don't feel as well trained as I would like to be, but I am SO ready. I have four great pacers lined up to run with me for the last 50 miles. My amazing wife is going to crew me and support me all through the race as well as push me through the last lap.
I can't wait to see what God as for me out on that course. The people in he ultra world are different people all with amazing stories and kind hearts. Who will I share miles and stories with over this, the longest run of my life?
If whatever moved me to start this blog and to even update it this morning continues on my heart, I will post an update after I finish my first 100 miler. I really should fill in some gaps over the last three years. Maybe even mention that I have already signed up for my next 100 miler in he fall.
For right now, the focus is on Umstead. With that said, I need to get a couple hours of running in this morning so I can spend the rest of he day with my beautiful girls.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. -Phil. 4:13
Good luck Joel!! I read your first post about what started all of this and can honestly say I have witnessed that story before. My husband is also 6 feet tall. The difference is when I met him he was a 5 mile a day runner and weighed at most 175. He didn't get his "man body" until he was in his late 30's and had stopped running.By the time he was approaching his mid-40s he was at his biggest at 210 with a belly so large I couldn't get my arms around him fully to hug him. The Wii Fit gave him new life. When his Mii showed him what he looked like the disbelief on his face was shocking. He said "this ends now." Went a got his running shoes and off he went. A few weeks later a friend of his convinced him to do a triathlon. On a borrowed bike and a chilly morning in March 2010 he finished the Cool Breeze sprint. The first of many. His goal is to do a full Ironman before he turns 50 and that goal is very much in reach for this upcoming November. We are all dedicated to him meeting his goal - me, the kids, coaches and his friends that he trains with. With the right support we can all do anything we set our minds to! Congratulations and good luck in the 100 miler. I know you will do fantastic!
ReplyDelete