"...trials of miles; miles of trials..."

This is just something that has been on my mind the past few days, and have decided to throw it into this blog entry:

I've just reread my favorite running book, Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr. The book really does a great job portraying the experience of a distance runner in college. While reading it I felt some of the old feelings of running cross country in college...and the authors description of the different types of "runners" really is timeless. At work or socially you may have many acquaintances who "run" or "compete" in different sporting events...and attempt to find common ground related to athletics.

Unless you have competed at a certain level, and specifically in an endurance or ultra endurance sport...it's sometimes hard for people to totally understand what is REALLY involved. In Parker's book people ask the main character, Quenton Cassidy, about the "secret" behind his abilities. The secret is there is no secret..yes, he's blessed with exceptional athleticism...but it still requires more sacrifice, dedication, and pain tolerance that 99% of the population could fathom (especially in the good old US of A). There are no short cuts...it takes "...trials of miles; miles of trials..." Successful endurance athletes (especially runners, swimmers, and cyclist) know that reaching your true potential takes hours of self motivated training...usually in solitude.

I am deeply aware of this need...maybe obsession...to do the required work at near all costs. I wasn't born one of those exceptionally gifted athletes, but know that I can control my training...and hopefully out work the competition. I have some talent for endurance sports, and try to make up for what I lack through better training. During racing and hard training you have to be able to put yourself in a mental state to accept the pain required to get to that next level. Some of my cycling buddies (Jeff & Curtis) call it the "Pain Cave" or the "Hurt Box"...however you phrase it, you have to constantly remind yourself that it won't last forever...and get on with the task at hand.

I admire anyone who attempts to participate...but most admire the ones that don't do it for self promotion, "...look at me, look at me...see what I'm doing" is not impressive. I could go on forever, and not make any more sense...so I'll cut it off here.

Ok...off the "Soap Box"...