By Henry | September 19, 2009 at 02:36 PM EDT |
2 comments
I knew, I was not born a runner. I have always thought I had poor bones and did not have the capacity to run long distances. My longest one was back in 2000 in North Korea, running at below zero temperature with trails blanketed with 2-feet of snow. Then, I stopped running and focused more on few extreme sports. When I got married to Susan, I completely stopped extreme sports. I started running again in 2008 and I'd run 10-15 miles a week but not consistent due to busy schedules training clients. When we moved to Austin, I was amazed at how much time people spent running, and did a lot of outdoor activities including hundreds of different races almost every weekend whole year round. So, after joining the Nike Human Race in 2008, I decided I'd do a race once a month. I knew how to train but I also knew I did not have the time to train. The race days was my main training time. That meant, I'd join the race without preparing for it. My friends called me crazy, probably I was, but looked like everything was looking great. I loved challenges and I knew I was pushing it this time and wanted to see how much my "old body" could endure. My fear was messing up with my knees during training days and not being able to race due to injury (I knew it's wrong). Every time I finished a race, I'd reward myself with a pat on a shoulder knowing that I did great even without training.
Joining races gave me the impression that what I paid to get in the competition went to great causes. I started my journey back in January of this year joining one race a month. Last August was the toughest month. The Capt'n Karl's Series consisted of 3 scheduled races at different venues. The 107-degree summer heat was always a killer plus the "hell hills" in the hill country. Each race was a 30K (except for Mule Shoe, 37K by post-race measurement). I did all three races, finishing 13th at first trail, 13th at second trail. After the second trail, I promised and desired not to get 13th place again at the last trail. If I placed 14th or 12th, I'd have been happier or better yet on the top 10. Since there were elite runners who joined the last trail, I knew my chances to be on top 10 are slimmer. I just wanted to get away from number 13. What are the odds? It's possible. I placed number 18. Why? I did arrive on time at Ink's Lake but I spent more than 10 minutes looking for parking due to strict parking rules at the park. There was a burn-ban that day and the rangers wanted every car be parked at marked parking areas only. I started 8 minutes late and after the race, I calculated my time and realized had I not started 8 minutes late, I would have landed at number 13!!! It would have been 13-13-13 for the whole series for me. I got my wish, out of number 13, not a better rank but I finished great. Be careful with what you wish for. The first 10 finishers did the whole 30K in a little more than 2:00:00 and below 3:00:00!!!
Yesterday, I received a huge envelope from Brad Quinn, the organizer and the grandson of Capt'n Karl's Trail Series. When I opened it, it was a nice piece of art with my name taped on it's frame. Underneath, it also says 3rd place. I emailed Brad asking if he mailed it to me by mistake. I visited his website and found out that I actually finished 3rd overall in 30K's. Some runners ran 30-10-10 or 30-30-10 or 60-10-30 which ever they preferred. But I was consistent running 30-30-30 and am proud of it. Now I have crushed my fear and decided to train porperly before racing. I will do better for sure next time.
Are you guys coming out again to NM next year? Trailes will be more challenging I\'ve heard...
I\'ve learned from other runners that it was fun and challenging already. To add more challenge would be a true test of endurance. I did not do it. Not sure if I would next year. Thanks Bob!