“stu·pid fun” ˈst(y)o͞opəd/ fən/ (noun) Definition: Any activity that elicits the response “that’s stupid” from folks who do not participate in said activity, but which at the same time elicits an enthusiastic “whoa – that sounds like fun!” from individuals who participate in the same or similar activities. Can also be used as an adjective.
Last weekend I had a heapin’ helpin’ of stupid fun. I was part of a crowd of about two hundred folks who gathered on the outskirts of Moab…in the rain…in 45 degree weather…to run up and down and around on slick trails for 34 miles…and we paid good money for the privilege. Hearing it described that way, we may have made it a bit too easy for folks to emphasize the “stupid” side of the “stupid fun” equation. But you know what, it was fun. Really…it was! It was also really hard, and amazingly beautiful, and incredibly satisfying. In the week since the run, I’ve had plenty of time to replay the events of the day. Allow me to share a few thoughts about this particular run and ultra-running in general.
- The top ultra athletes are aliens. Sherlock Holmes famously said, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” The speed at which the top athletes cover long distances over incredibly difficult terrain is simply not humanly possible. While it may seem improbable, the only possible conclusion is that they are aliens from some distant planet of long distance runners. Enough said.
- It helps to be around people you want to be like. Flagstaff has gained a reputation as a mecca for trail runners. Every year hundreds of folks from Flagstaff gather in Colorado for the stupid fun Imogene Pass Run. Both the previous and current holder of the fastest known time (FKT) for a rim to rim to rim across the Grand Canyon live in Flagstaff. I’ve had a beer with a two time winner of the Western States 100. (Well, technically I had a beer in close proximity to the really nice alien who won the Western States.) Bottom line, if you decide to do something hard – like an ultra, it helps to be surrounded by people who are doing the same thing, who are encouraging and supportive, who are pushing themselves to do even harder things. Seems like there might even be a broader life lesson in there somewhere. It is a lot easier to adopt a healthy lifestyle if you hang around with people who are living healthy lifestyles vs. hanging with the ‘party-til-you-puke-put-down-roots-couch-potato” crowd.
- Running (even an ultra) doesn’t matter! I ran 34 miles in just over 7 hours. I did something physically challenging. It was tremendously satisfying to have accomplished something difficult like this. In the big picture…so what? I didn’t cure cancer. I have to remind myself that I am so blessed to have the life I have that I can choose to do
physically demanding things “for fun.” Around the world people are living hand to mouth. In the Khumbu region of Nepal, people carry insanely heavy loads from one village to the next for a handful of rupees in order to provide the bare, basic necessities of life. Good to keep things in perspective. - Ultimately, its about people. Running tends to be a solitary endeavor. Almost all my training in preparation for this run was done alone. And that’s fine, I enjoy spending time in my head and I enjoyed moving at my own pace through the beautiful northern AZ landscape. Looking back on the Moab run though, it was people that made it such an enjoyable event. I was able to run the entire 1st half with our oldest son, who now has young son of his own. Real circle of life stuff…pretty powerful. I ended up running the last several miles with Kate the brewery QA from CA. Our on and off conversation during those long, last miles really helped pass the time. Having my lovely bride, daughter-in-law and grandson at the finish line gave me a lump in my throat and that familiar finish line adrenaline boost. Having other friends gather to run the shorter distance (only 18 miles) or to hike the day before, or just to sit around, tell stories, laugh, made the weekend the special time that it was. Again, seems like there might a larger life lesson in there somewhere.
Bottom line, you don’t have to run an ultra to push yourself beyond your normal limits, or to recognize the joy of having good people in your life, or to recognize the things that truly matter in life, or even rub shoulders with friendly aliens! Although it will be easier to do the last one if you come visit Flagstaff. STC! (seize the carp)
Love the blog idea, and really enjoyed running that ultra marathon with you! ( if only in my mind)
I think you wrote that last paragraph for me.
I am reading “Walking the Himalayas” by Levison Wood and really enjoying it. Reminds me of your trip to Nepal.
Keep writing!
STC: the rallying cry of those that strive for BLE?
Looks great, Dave
And for the record WordPress, I’m not a bot. Maybe I’m without emotion but I’m no bot.