Keeping it Fun

After a nice mellow taper week (48mi/8500ft) I’m feeling fairly ready for Quadrock on May 11th, which will be a good indicator of my fitness moving forward to Hardrock and UTMB this summer. Hopefully we’ll also see some dry trails and melting snow in the high mountains after Quadrock, as I’m oh so ready to breath that high mountain air on a regular basis.

Untracked snow in Long Canyon on 5/4/13. After a 5th straight week of >1ft of snow.

The past several weeks on the trails have been tough going, our weekly barrages of snow (1-2ft/week) has made for many wet and muddy miles in April. While I love stomping in puddles as much as the next 10yo trapped in a 30yo body, after a while one longs for clear dry trails to and to just be able to run. As I slop through the mud and moments of frustration boil to the surface I need to remind myself why I’m out in the first place. Sure running keeps me healthy, but I’m out on the trails because I enjoy it. If I just wanted to stay in shape there are many things I could do that didn’t involve mud, snow and puddles of cold water but the trails give me a freedom and enjoyment I don’t get on the roads or in a gym.

I’m sure every runner has had one of these moments of weakness; whether it be on a training run, at mile 2 of a 5k, mile 22 of a marathon or mile 90 of a 100. We are all human and are prone to ups and downs and rough patches while participating in our respective sports, the key is to remind yourself why you’re out there in the first place. For many of us its because we love the sport; the runners high, the feeling of successfully pushing yourself, the freedom of the run, the simplicity of the rhythmic motion, or the feeling of accomplishment after the run is completed. Whatever your reason, just remember that when you’ve hit that low or rough patch. “It can’t always get worse” and usually it’s much better, so remember the highs and all the good going forward.

Me as Spidey shredding some corduroy at Loveland on closing day, 5/5/13.

Personally I like to give races and events a little more flair when possible with a good costume. A little color, a little flair and a little embarrassment for myself and everyone else I’m out there with seems to keep the mood light and to remind people we’re out here to have fun, regardless of the aches and pains we’re fighting through. So the next time you’re struggling through a rough patch while running, climbing, cycling or whatever your sport of choice, pause for a moment to remind yourself why you participate in the first place. Though if all else fails just think of me in a Spiderman suit, dressed up as wonder woman or throwing out jump kicks as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle during a 100miler. Run fast, run healthy, but mostly run happy.