I don’t know why this continues to surprise me, but every time I read your stories I start off feeling a little skeptical (“I’m not a runner, so probably I won’t “get” this story...”), but every time you hook me at the very beginning and I read through to the very end. It’s about running on the surface, but really about life in general. With this story I couldn’t help but think about analogies to childbirth. This is how I felt with my 36 hour labor! :-)
Thanks Caroleen, that's the best compliment any of this stuff can get. One thing I KNOW FOR SURE is that no amount of running can ever equate to childbirth and I would never claim it as such. I mean, you already finished your ultra.
Great story. I can't identify with a race that long but yet I completely understand. Congrats on everything and hope recovery goes OK. Awesome final picture, too.
Once again, you've made me cry. For those of us in this group that run the long races, we could feel your emotional roller coaster. And we're all SO PROUD of you. You went and did the damn thing. Congratulations.
This is so epic. If you’re anything like me, the thought of running any long distance ever again makes you feel like puking right now, but I’m sure you’ll be out there again sometime in the not too distant future.
Absolute beast of a race, and you finished it running with your son next to you. If that’s not what running’s about, I don’t know what is.
During one of my ultras, I listened to a podcast interview with a Buddhist who referenced the story of Buddha sitting down to tea with Mara. “I see you Mara, now let’s have tea.” It is the best encapsulation of “embracing the suck” I’ve found and my own personal mantra when all I want to do is stop running and binge eat McDonalds.
Amazing stuff, Paul. What an accomplishment. I was running alongside you in solidarity during that brutal run of northeastern heat we had earlier this week. Granted, I was doing about 10% of the distance you ran, but it was still really hot!
Very Jerry! Glad Hunter's words echoed through your mind; I find their music pops into my mind whenever I'm at a strange point in my life. What a long, strange trip that run must have been..
ha - c'mon! I think in typical years the Catamount is actually a fall race? Or maybe I'm thinking of something else. Either way, a fall ultra in VT would be perfect :)
Ha. There's a mountain marathon in the fall. Same location, does most of the 50K loop backward with some different stuff. Love that race and Stowe, so let me clarify: I'm never *running* Stowe again.
Next one on the docket is the Vermont 50 in late September so I'm counting on some cooler temps and awesome foliage.
Awesome!!!! And, when I was feeling not great on my own run on Sunday, I thought, " Paul is running a 50K today so surely I can get through this." Thanks for the motivation and for sharing!
I don’t know why this continues to surprise me, but every time I read your stories I start off feeling a little skeptical (“I’m not a runner, so probably I won’t “get” this story...”), but every time you hook me at the very beginning and I read through to the very end. It’s about running on the surface, but really about life in general. With this story I couldn’t help but think about analogies to childbirth. This is how I felt with my 36 hour labor! :-)
Thanks Caroleen, that's the best compliment any of this stuff can get. One thing I KNOW FOR SURE is that no amount of running can ever equate to childbirth and I would never claim it as such. I mean, you already finished your ultra.
Great story. I can't identify with a race that long but yet I completely understand. Congrats on everything and hope recovery goes OK. Awesome final picture, too.
I think we've all been there in some fashion or another. Thanks so much.
Once again, you've made me cry. For those of us in this group that run the long races, we could feel your emotional roller coaster. And we're all SO PROUD of you. You went and did the damn thing. Congratulations.
Thanks Tracey! I did do it, didn't I?
You did and I know how you're feeling right now but you gotta right that ship. YOU DID DO THE DAMN THING.
Ship is on course. Recovery almost complete. Now it's on to the next thing.
This is so epic. If you’re anything like me, the thought of running any long distance ever again makes you feel like puking right now, but I’m sure you’ll be out there again sometime in the not too distant future.
Absolute beast of a race, and you finished it running with your son next to you. If that’s not what running’s about, I don’t know what is.
During one of my ultras, I listened to a podcast interview with a Buddhist who referenced the story of Buddha sitting down to tea with Mara. “I see you Mara, now let’s have tea.” It is the best encapsulation of “embracing the suck” I’ve found and my own personal mantra when all I want to do is stop running and binge eat McDonalds.
Check it out if you’re interested: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-true-refuge/201508/inviting-mara-tea?amp
That's awesome and right up my alley so I will def check it out. Thanks, Emmett.
Not sure what's wrong with me, but this actually makes me want to run this race more.
Hoping the recovery goes well
Nothing wrong with you, you're just a runner and that's how we do things. Thanks, Pete.
Amazing stuff, Paul. What an accomplishment. I was running alongside you in solidarity during that brutal run of northeastern heat we had earlier this week. Granted, I was doing about 10% of the distance you ran, but it was still really hot!
Thanks Joe. It was brutal no matter what distance you did.
Very Jerry! Glad Hunter's words echoed through your mind; I find their music pops into my mind whenever I'm at a strange point in my life. What a long, strange trip that run must have been..
Same here. It's totally subconscious, except it's not.
⚡️
You get it.
I have seen the pic. I'm glad it was you and not me. You're a monster.
You and Brad are the only two who have. That's how much I love you.
I live about 20 miles from Stowe, and I can tell you that Sunday was HOT! And UNREAL humidity.
Great work getting this done Paul!
So hot. Thanks Travis. Beautiful place that I never want to see again.
ha - c'mon! I think in typical years the Catamount is actually a fall race? Or maybe I'm thinking of something else. Either way, a fall ultra in VT would be perfect :)
Ha. There's a mountain marathon in the fall. Same location, does most of the 50K loop backward with some different stuff. Love that race and Stowe, so let me clarify: I'm never *running* Stowe again.
Next one on the docket is the Vermont 50 in late September so I'm counting on some cooler temps and awesome foliage.
Nice. I've done VT 50 before and at least the morning temps will be cool.
Truly amazing - had chills and tears while reading this.
Thank you for sharing your story! Letting us in on your process and especially your struggle during the race is truly valuable to us all.
Happy recovery!
Thanks Jake. I knew you all would understand. The struggle is real but it's all part of the journey.
Awesome!!!! And, when I was feeling not great on my own run on Sunday, I thought, " Paul is running a 50K today so surely I can get through this." Thanks for the motivation and for sharing!