Sunday, May 8, 2011

Imagining Ultra Athletics


I can't believe that I can actually fit my head around people who race ultra distances - 2 marathons, 100 milers, 2 Ironman weekends, etc.  I'm not saying that I am anywhere close to even enjoying a 10K run yet. But I can actually imagine what these people see in the challenge.

I remember about 8 years ago, there was an article in our local paper about a local guy who had finished an Ironman competition in Florida. I read the article with complete awe - 5mile swim, 180K bike and then a marathon - all in a row!!! The idea that anyone could actually do that was so far beyond my imagination that I honestly looked at this guy completely differently every time I saw him.  I wondered when he did his super-human training (and I'm not kidding). I wondered what kind of person could actually complete such a feat.

The weird thing, as I train for the marathon in January, is that something deep inside of me is shifting. The very idea that I could actually train enough to complete a marathon (me being the destroy-my-knees-by-running girl) is really opening doors for me in the human potential category.

Because I have been able to run without injury, suddenly the idea of continued growth towards my potential feels completely natural. It's like THIS IS HOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GROW all of our lives. There's no limit to our growth.

First, I will happily run the 5K next weekend in Goderich, and then the 5K in Bayfield in June. Then we will do the Bala triathlon in July. Why? Because it would be fun - a nice way to spend a summer morning up north. Then, we will continue training to do the marathon in January at Disney. No big deal. Just the next step in our growth.

What's next? Perhaps other exotic locations for cool marathons - running through vineyards in Italy or along the Great Wall of China. Or maybe we'll expand ourselves further and start envisioning half-Ironmans.. and then full Ironmans and so on and so on....

Aleksandar is running a 100-miler in November (we are going to be some of his "pacers" - you know, just going out to run 10K once in a while with him for support!! I can't believe that these are actually my waking sane thoughts!!).  Two years ago, I wouldn't have even been able to understand the words that he was saying. I mean, I would get the English, but I wouldn't be able to digest the meaning.  100 miles?  For fun?? Ridiculous!!

But I get it. It's like playing with our human potential. How far can we grow? How fantastic can we feel? Is there even a limit to what we can achieve?

I have spent most of my life in my head and heart. The idea that now I can play with, grow and expand my physical experience in any way that I want certainly has made my life just a little more interesting!!!

How cool is that?

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