I have completed 9 races of 100-miles or more. My only DNF was during my first attempt at Leadville in 2008, but even with altitudes mostly above 10,000-ft I still made it 60-miles. I went back in 2009 and finished the entire course so logic would imply that completing just one more 100-mile race in order to bring my total to 10 shouldn't be all that "difficult".
Three months after finishing Western States I ran the St. Pat's 24-hour race in South Bend, Indiana. Things were going smoothly until I began getting sick after 50-miles. I packed it in after 62-miles. A warm camper and a soft bed with my sweet wife was much more attractive than dragging myself around that course all night long while puking my guts out. I guess my heart just wasn't in this one.
St. Pat's 24-Hour Run (October 2010)
I took some time off from running but then started training hard again at the beginning of 2011 for the Rocky Raccoon in Huntsville, Texas. I had completed this race three times before and I was ready to do it again. The problem was that I could not make it to Texas in time for the race. We were hit with several ice storms in Indiana which resulted in my flight being rescheduled several days in a row. Then Texas was hit with a snowstorm which resulted in my flight being canceled for good. I guess the good news is that I was in great shape for chipping away at all that ice.
Rocky Raccoon 100-mile Run (February 2011)
I continued my training into the summer with hopes of finding another 100-miler to enter. However, things took a turn for the worse when the inside of my left knee started hurting after a 14-mile training run at the beginning of May. The next week I could barely walk. This injury would linger for nearly the rest of the year and seriously limit my training potential. At times I would feel better and get my confidence up only to realize my knee could not handle the load. I entered a 50-km race in June but only managed to squeeze out a marathon due to issues with my knee.
Parke County Marathon (June 2011)
My knee was still giving me issues so I pretty much gave up running and switched to walking throughout the months of September and October. If I was going to enter the lottery for the 2012 Western States 100-mile Run, I would need to complete a qualifing race before November 12, 2011. I entered the Cactus Rose 100-mile Run in Bandera, Texas, and figured I would just do light jogging and walking in order to meet the Western States qualifying requirements and finally log my 10th 100-miler. The day went okay at first but then I went into self-destruct mode. I started getting sick, my knee hurt, and my legs were pretty much useless on that course with so many hills and rocks. I accepted a 50-mile finishers medal and went home. I knew I did the right thing by listening to my body and possibly avoiding serious injury, but needless to say I was still disappointed.
Cactus Rose 100-mile Run (October 2011)
I haven't run at all since dropping out of the Cactus Rose. I would be lying if I said I wasn't discouraged, but I am trying to take everything in stride and use the opportunity to rest and re-evaluate my ultrarunning training and goals. Even if I never get that elusive 10th 100-miler I know I'm a better person for trying. Probably the biggest lesson I am learning is that those who haven't experienced failure are probably not trying things outside of their comfort zone. You can't find your limits until you attempt to push past them. It may appear that I have found mine but I don't think I'm quite ready to accept that yet.
