That's Why: Because Mother Nature is a Two Faced Broad

runners of all walks of life are often asked this one question by non-runners, which, while simple and only constructed of a few words, begs a thinking process tantamount to answering an Epistemology course exam question.   it's worse for ultrarunners as, to most pedestrian spectators, we're appearing to be half-assedly attempting suicide, or at least slightly deranged. 

"why do you run?"

simple, reasonable answers exist for this question.  
"I'm going to a good place."
"I have to earn my future."
"I have to switch my head off."
"because it's a symptom of more deeply-rooted psychological issues."

however,  few realize that the wide range of responses applicable to this question actually forms a bigger, more fundamental reason for why you run.  the problem is that this reason does not manifest itself through words but only appears as a mild sensation while you're running.  henceforth--the more tangible an answer becomes, the harder it is to put it into sentences.  

in this eleventy-bajillion part feature, I will attempt to put my spin into the runner's search for meaning.  as noted, the resulting draft of a runner's rambling manifesto will be guaranteed to DNF.  each post will connect to a previous post in some manner, forming a giant puzzle of indeterminate size and product.  however--i hope this sisyphean endeavor will help you find a more purposeful consciousness to your running regime.  enjoy.

So That I Can Remember: Goodnight, 2015

obligatory year end 2015-by-the-numbers-and-other-stuff note

幽玄 - (-na inflection, hiragana ゆうげん, romaji yūgen).  noun.
  An awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and mysterious for words. 

So That I Can Remember: Happy Holidays!

(Thanks Joedine!)

So That I Can Remember: 南丫島 lunchtime run

Race Report: When It's Most Definitely Not Your Turn

.... and so ends five straight months of lunacy.

and also five hundies in five months.

Race Report: When You're Not Sure If It's Your Turn or Not

We all have our bad days.


But really though, the notion of a 'bad day' is all in your head.   You can consciously brace yourself to have a bad day beforehand so you end up feeling no worse than expected.  
 
Of course, that would first take some motivation to look for a good day first. 

So That I Can Remember: Prairie at Dawn

No Dig, No Run

Apart from paying your entry fee, to start Angeles Crest next year you have to finish a race that is at least 50 miles long, and commit to completing 8 hours of trail maintenance work in the vicinity of where you live, train and race.  This weekend I completed the latter with the awesome folk at the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Assocation, and here are some random thoughts.

Race Report: My Favorite Race I Hated

One of my favorite video games of all time, Left 4 Dead, has an achievement called "What Are You Trying to Prove?", which involves completing the campaign on its hardest difficulty.  It's not easy, it involves a lot of wasted time, it involves a lot of help from friends, it involves a lot of crying and screaming, and once you complete it you kind of question why you do the things you do.  That's basically the epitome of my experience at the 2015th Lost Soul ultramarathon. 

that's me after the race.  McKayla Maroney would not be impressed with my half-assed attempt at the McKayla Maroney is Not Impressed face, not that I wasn't impressed with the race...but rather my silly calf panty tan.  (Thanks Brandy!)