New goal: 50mi ultra marathon before I turn 50.
I recently met David Goggins. [wikipedia / website]. We both hate running. Passionately.
But his drive to run for a ’cause and push the human limit inspired my running spirit.
I run. not for a race. not for a trophy. not for the spectators. I’m still looking for a cause…. so for the moment I’m pushing my own personal limit. I’ll come back to a ’cause’ shortly.
I’ve been running 3mi, 5mi, 8mi, 9mi and 10mi runs weekly over the last 3 years. Last year [2008], I completed my first ever official running race, the Santa Cruz 1/2 marathon [9:26m/mi]. That was my personal best distance and a respectable pace.
A few weeks ago [2009], my friend and marathon runner John Bekas pushed me to 13.4mi… another new personal record.
Today I did 17mi – a new personal distance record. Stats: 3hr 30min; 12.35min/mi…..Why? Not for a new record. Rather, I’m focused on running a 50mi ultra marathon. This was my first trial run. I needed to test my limits. I needed a litmus test for myself – if I could finish 17mi, I can go to the next level. Can I go 33% of 50mi? Yes. Can I achieve 50% by running 25mi? That’s the goal for or the next run…
Here is my 17mi run mapped out. It does an out-and-back loop in Capitola CA with intentional ocean views. Tip for runners: to be committed to your full distance, map out your route with the mid-point being exactly 1/2 way from your endpoint. Then, if you want dinner on time, you have to make it home :) The map:
View Larger Map
I plan to officially train for a 50mi run spending ~4mo training, eating, and planning. But now I know I can run 17mi. Boy does 13 seem like a novice run :)
Hey, you know root beer barrels? They’re only like 5 cents…
…but they’re WORTH it!
Hey, you know that if you stand in just the right spot and spread your arms, you can open two sensored doors at the same time? cool.
drop me an email…davidpthomas at g mail