A place I have never been. A place I never imagined I would want to visit.
And yet, I find myself thinking of South Dakota often.
There is a trail in South Dakota. The Deadwood-Mickelson trail. Yeah, that Deadwood. Land of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. In a previous life, I was enchanted with the literature of the Wild West, imagined myself devoting years of study to the genre. Perhaps this is where the whispers come from.
Or perhaps it is the land itself. Ponderosa pines, granite outcroppings, bubbling streams, all evoking the landscapes I love the best.
I do not know.
But I want to run there.
There is a 100 mile race, the Lean Horse 100, that I cannot shake.
Never mind that South Dakota is over 1,000 miles away. Never mind that I have yet to run 50 miles and have no idea if I am up for the distance. Never mind that this idea makes no sense at all. The heart wants what it wants.
I cannot explain it.
But still, I hear the whisper.
And dream of the day that I make this a reality.
Do you have a crazy idea that you just can't let go of? What is your heart telling you? Will you listen?
Those pictures are beautiful! Glad I stumbled upon your blog.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine did a race on the Mickelson trail, and it was beautiful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I can totally relate to your desire to the race. Burning River 100 takes place only minutes from my house (literally 1 mile from my house) and I want to do this race one day. I have volunteered for the race working at an aid station and watched the finish line the last two years. If you really want a good idea about what it takes, volunteer at any aid station that is in the back half of the race and then watch the finish line. I've yet to do a 50 miler and will put it on my calendar next year. I have no idea if I can actually do it but would love to try.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do it someday! Maybe sooner than you think. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've been interested in that one too. Unfortunately it comes at a bad time of year for me for work. I might have to made due with the Mickelson Trail Marathon in June.
I love South Dakota! Lots of good memories of traveling through as a kid between Iowa and Washington with the family. My dream is lots of marathons and a least a couple of ultras. My really big dream right now is a 100k someday.
ReplyDeleteFor now, I am dreaming of WTF2! Just turned down a H2C to focus on the Wildwood Trail! Whatever, wasn't sure I wanted the H2C again this year anyway...
Wow that looks awesome. I say it's calling your name!
ReplyDeleteLean Horse was my first 100. It is a great course and the race director is awesome. You can run 100 miles! There was a point around 60 miles where I thought I was done, I was going to give up, but I didn't. I just kept going and things got better and I finished in under 24 hours. And because I didn't give up at mile 60, I was able to experience the moon rising over the Black Hills at 2 am running with my best friend, with coyotes howling in the distance. You would love the race!
ReplyDeletethis looks gorgeous! i can see why you are daydreaming of it! listen to your "ridiculous" dreams.. one day you'll wake up and be in the middle of it realizing it wasn't ridiculous at all! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can do it!!!!!!
ReplyDelete