It's weird. Every time a friend is on the eve of their big race, or in the middle of their race, I get emotional highs by reading about their pre-race jitters, their pre-race prepping, and of course all day long during their race I LOVE tracking them and being with them in spirit.
Last weekend, Brownie (who live in Colorado Springs) completed the incredibly tough, rugged and wild Hardrock100 trail race just under 43 hours. FORTY THREE HOURS!! I'm not a close friend of his, but we've met several times, and there's been a bond created by comments and teases on each other's blogs. Hardrock was absurd. It's considered a race, but it was more like a multiple Mountain climb if you ask me. I either had my laptop on the tracking site at all times while home, or every hour or so, I would pop onto my iPhone and track him if I was out and about. I know I wrote about how inspiring he was to me for my hilly run last week.
This weekend, as you read this, my friend Meredith is on her way to completing the TahoeRimTrail 50 miler. Her race has no tracking abilities, but she has promised to text me once she finishes. Of course, I'm in line behind her husband, and a few other people, but hey, it's a privilege to even be thought of to let me know how it went! During today's run, I thought of Meredith a lot, and can't wait to get a text to know she has finished!
Tomorrow, my friend Amanda takes on Lake Placid IRON MAN. You know, just an IronMan. 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run (a marathon). It's her second IronMan, after finishing IM Arizona last spring. She started blogging again a few weeks ago, and I'm thrilled! Tomorrow, lets send all our good thoughts and energy to Amanda as she conquers the beast that is "IronManUSA".
Why am I thrilled she started blogging again? I simply love the emotions I get as people get close to their races, and i get to read about the emotions they share with us on them getting ready. I usually get to read (over many many months) how much training they're doing towards their big day, so you kind of in a weird way feel like you're right there with them on D-day. You feel a bond, like you're kind of in it together. I don't know, I just know that I love the connection I feel.
I also love reading their race reports. It is so inspiring to hear about people's ups and downs, and you feel like you're experiencing their race which in turn, really motivates to to continue with my training towards my next race.
Sometimes it's not even a race setting. I wrote in April and May how I would run with the fast ladies. One of these is Christine. Christine has had a long time goal of some day running 100 miles in a week. I was really thrilled to get to be part of her week by running 10. of those miles with her on Wednesday. Tomorrow she goes for 7.5 short miles, an hour and a few minutes more, and she'll have achieved a goal she's had for several years. I'm so thrilled for her!
But it's not only personal friends. Take for example last week. last week was Badwater Ultramarathon. A ridiculous 135 mile run through desert conditions of scorching hot 130+ degree sun. Meredith's friend won the female division crushing the record by about an hour. I followed her along and felt so inspired just following a friend of a friend.
I guess there's a weird bond that connects us endurance athletes, which allows you to connect with them and almost somewhat feel what they're experiencing as you've maybe had a chance to train with them in the past, if even for a run or two. or heck, maybe it's just the fact that you know what they're going through because you've been in similar situations. Regardless what it is, all i know is that it brings about a great feeling, sometimes even a weird enjoyable heartburn, and it all is one of the most uplifting and inspiring things I've ever experienced.
Today, I was also surprised when Kirsten talked to me after my run. She's took a break over the summer, but now getting back into it to be ready for fall training. Anyway, she commented about reading this blog, and other colleagues training blogs: "It's really inspiring to me to read about your training and all the miles you guys are putting in". Wow. I'm deeply humbled that I can inspire people simply by writing a few words about my training. Someday, I hope to be able to see one of her horse jumping shows!
Anyway, kind of a cheesy lovey-dovey post. I really struggled tying all my thoughts together, making it flow etc., so I decided to not edit it / clean it up too much, and just leave it as is. Raw, uncut, no sandpaper applied. I can't begin to tell you how honored I am to be all these (and other) athlete's friend, and truly honored they allow me into their worlds, to be inspired by all their accomplishments.
You guys are a big part of what keeps me going. A bigger part than you would ever imagine. Thank you.
2 comments:
Great words Mike. I know exactly what you mean! A friend of mine who has struggled to qualify for Boston switched from Rogue to another training grp - still did not qualify. I talked her into returning to Rogue, she did and I had the opportunity of running some long runs with her and getting her pumped up. She ran Eugene this spring and qualified. I try not to interupt my sleep during the day but on the day of Eugene, I got up at noon to check the results and saw she had qualified. I know she followed my race in Boston closely and that certainly pumped her up. I think I was more excited for her to have qualified than she was. I meant what I said Mike - you guys keep me honest. I love the comraderie we all develop over the years.
Hey Mike -- Great post. Thanks for the shout and the support on the 100 miler!
Yippee!
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