I Love This Sport

Photo by Devon C

Running is difficult to describe. Ultra running is even harder. More so to non-runners. What usually comes from this conversation is a vague avoidance of what really matters to the ultra runner. The I-know-its-rediculous-what-I-do-but-I-do-it-anyway-and-don’t-bother-trying-to-understand-because-you-won’t-get-over-the-idea-that-people-actually-gain-a-really-deep-appreciation-for-making-it-100-miles-on-their-own-two-feet-through-mountain-passes-in-the-harshest-of-conditions-with-nothing-to-show-for-it-but-a-useless-belt-buckle-and-a-quiet-yet-forever-irreplaceable-feeling-of-accomplishment.

Ok, now that I've got THAT off my chest, let me move on to something more timely. I failed to get into the this year's Angeles Crest 100 miler. I waited too long to apply, and the race filled up. Just like that. I tried to plead my case to the race director. But he slapped me down before I could even begin to get my hopes up.

His reply:

“...i cannot take anymore runners

last year i filled in February
this year in December
so maybe a good idea (if u want to run the race) to enter little bit earlier”

My reply:

Can I get on the waiting list?

His reply:

“i dont keep a waiting list
just one more thing to deal with

thats it for 2012 race
if u entered coupla weeks earlier!!”

Ok, message delivered. I’m not one to brood over little mishaps, so I turned my attention to what other (100 mile) options might be out there. Several ideas popped into my head. One that has been lurking for a while is UTMB in France. I don't know much about it but the little I do know is that it is the ultimate race in Europe, if not the world. And guess what? The deadline for applications is today! My application? Sent.

But UTMB is a lottery, and chances are I won’t get in. Other options? Well, yes. Wasatch 100. Deadline for application is today. My application? Sent.

So here is my only concern, other than I’m still not in either race, UTMB has 31,000 feet of elevation gain. Wasatch 28,300 feet.

I guess the only thing left to do is wait with hope and fear.

I love this sport.