I am 72 years old. I should be in my warm bed on a cold day like today, not shivering while running on a trail it took me over an hour to drive to. But, see, that's the point! We do these things because they get us out of our warm beds and into the crazy world all around us. That's exactly why I've signed up for another 32-mile ultra in December and why I got in a training run today. It forces me to be active and thus it prevents complacency and boredom.
I got in a 10-mile run today. I ran from downtown Farmville to the High Bridge, crossed it, then turned around.
Guess what? It's beginning to look like fall. This place will be knock-dead gorgeous in a few weeks once all the leaves have changed their colors.
One thing I love about training on a trail is that you can leave behind the gym rats, the car exhaust, and other distractions and clear your head. Race day is always a big crap shoot. You can train endlessly and on race day wake up to a torrential downpour or even a snowstorm. You have to have the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual fortitude to go that far. The will to run 67,000 steps. The guts to cover 164,000 feet. The stamina to be out on the course for up to 9 or 10 hours. Even with good weather, there aren't any guarantees. So you train and hope for the best.
The great thing about running is that there are always risks. Lots of unknowns. In other words: ADVENTURE. And that's exactly why we do it.
Have a lovely evening!