A Journey Of A Thousand Miles

...begins with one step. But perhaps it is a series of steps, turns and misdirections before one finally begins to discover the path one is truly wants to take.

So it has been for me the past year. Starting a blog about relays has changed my life in ways I never imagined. I have opened up about my experiences, dared to meet new people, and learned more than I ever wanted to know about what it takes to run a successful blog. I've pushed myself outside of my comfort zone and accomplished more than I ever dreamed possible.

But one cannot run long miles without having time to think, and as the year has progressed, I have seen that the road I started on is not the road I want to continue on. As I've explored all kinds of running, I've discovered that I enjoy trails most of all. The promise of a run in Tryon Creek can get me going on the darkest of days. I feel like a child, hopping over roots and sliding through the mud. I feel alive on the trails.

In my own reading, I've been drawn to ultrarunning and the runners who love it. The stories, the pain, the challenge - it all appeals to me at the deepest of levels. Leave the speed to others. I know that while I may be able to place in my age group at a small, local race, even if I concentrate my training on getting better, I'm never going to be that fast. What I want to learn, though, is if I'm that tough. Forget running fast. Can I keep moving forward for 6, 7, 8 hours?

There is so much to learn in ultrarunning - fueling, foot care, body management, gear. The learning opportunities seem endless.

For the past few months, I've reflected on where I want to go next. I think it is time to leave relays behind me (at least in a blogging sense), and to move forward into my next adventure. In the next two months, I will be looking to hand my blog off to someone new and to start my ultrarunning. I could not be more excited.