Some people zone out when they run. My mind is usually going a mile a minute while running. Will I ever be able to finish a 32-mile race in one piece? Why am I even doing this in the first place?
Today I drove to the High Bridge Trail in Farmville to get in an 11-mile training run.
The Freight Train ultra takes place here on May 9, 2026. The course features a half marathon, 50K, and 100K option. I've chosen the 50K. The race begins at 7:30 am on Saturday, May 9 and ends at 1:30 am on the 10th. There's a 19 hour time limit. All runners begin at Camp Paradise. 50K runners will cross the High Bridge and head west toward downtown (pictured here).
We will then travel 5.6 miles to the first aid station at Osborne Rd., just past Farmville. Runners will continue west for another 5.2 miles to the next aid station at Tuggle. We'll continue west for yet another 3.8 miles to Prospect, the next aid station. We'll continue past Prospect for another mile to an unmanned turnaround and then retrace our steps through Prospect, Tuggle, and downtown, until we cross the bridge to the finish. To prep for this race my goal is to get in an average of 17,000 steps per day every week from now until race day. Here are this week's stats.
I am 73 years old. I should be sitting in a rocking chair, not running a 32-mile race somewhere in the middle of Virginia. But see, that's the point! I (we) do these things because they take us out of the cozy comfort we enjoy and into the wild and wooly world all around us. By the grace of God I've run 3 ultras and I'm not done yet. Races prevent complacency and boredom. They force you to grow. So, yes, we chase down these goals. We will rise up and do what it takes.
Earlier in the day I got in a weight training session at the Y.
I love this sport!
I'm still not every good at it but I will not stop until I reach my goals.
The most beautiful part is that these learned traits can be applied to any struggle that I face. All it takes is to replace the iron that I'm pumping with whatever challenge I'm required to resolve. It's the epitome of wrestling with yourself. Love it!
Off to memorize my sermon for tomorrow. God bless and have a great Easter!