Hike your own hike, run your own ultra.

"Hike your own hike" is an ole long distance hiking slogan frequently used on treks across the Appalachian mountains or the Pacific Crest Trail. This slogan has always been something I've held near weather on the trail or just in life in general. Joe Hikes defines it real well on his site if you are interested in more details. Generally he defines it as these 4 points:

-Do things your own way; don’t copy someone else

-Don’t try to tell other hikers how to hike

-Feel free to set goals for yourself that feel like a good fit, even if they’re unusual

-

Don’t always change for the sake of the group; maintain your individual interests first"

"In general, living your life based on what other people tell you to do [or what you think people think] is not a satisfying way to live. You’re the only one who can figure out what brings fulfillment to your life. Once you find that thing, do it. "

I feel compelled to write some thoughts I've had on my own personal ultra-running mentality shift from when I first started this crazy hobby 5 years ago to now. The first race that I did that really felt like an ultra was the Hawk 50 miler in September of 2014.  I had never really run much on trails and never more than 30 miles before that. That experience was what hooked me on trail running and the community this sport has. I had one goal starting that race; to finish it. I used a plan that had me running with walking breaks here and there to conserve energy and ensure I had enough to finish the task at hand. Since then I've finished 18 ultras and 5 100-hundreds. I've also not finished 3 100's and a few other ultras, or dropped to shorter distances.

When I first started this ultra thing, the finish was everything. My running history had me progressing from 5k to 10k, to 13.1 to 26.2 to 50k, etc. Then I had finished all the distances that I wanted to do, but I wasn't having fun. I was suffering through 100's, power hiking a great deal of late miles, falling asleep as I hiked or shuffled, fighting my stomach's revolting with every bit of grit I had. So somewhere a long the way, my reason for doing these things shifted. I no longer wanted that, I still wanted to run until I couldn't run anymore; but not a whole hell of a lot longer. I feel like a good day on the trails, connected to everything around me is what I'm after. Finding the "zone" and running in it for as long as I can. That is what I crave; not the feeling of the finish. Maybe I could just start entering timed events and run until I get my fill, because of that whole stigma surrounding DNF's.  


I just recently had a terrific day running 65 miles of really technical terrain in just over 12 hours, problem it was a 100 mile race. I felt in the zone all day long; running happy and having fun. My stomach never gave me serious issues, my legs were happy as they felt more and more worked on the trail.  The tides turned on me at 65 with a nerve issue in my foot. I had absolutely no want to "hike" it out. The idea honestly didn't even cross my mind. I was so happy with the run I had; I did not want to turn it into a shit show with 10-12 hours of hiking. I did not want to ruin the happiness I felt and the run that I had. I just felt I needed to stop there and be happy with what I had done. 

I understand that their is a a ton of ultra-runners who will not be able to grasp what I'm feeling here about ultras and 100s. I absolutley do not want to take anything away from any ultra-runner or be disrespectful to the sport of ultra-running in any way.  But I've always thought we all do this thing for our own reasons, just like "hike your own hike." As long as you show up and get out of it what you want/need; then who is anyone to say you are doing it wrong. I know that I want to continue to run ultras, and run until my body and mind are done for that day, untill I can no longer hold my heart-rate high and my mind focused. Once that is gone, I'm not pushing myself the way I did before. I don't even think I have what it takes to push myself that way anymore. I may turn out a tremendous 100k or 100-miler one of these days, staying in zone, running the entire event with uninterrupted pure-flow. But if I don't and I DNF a whole handful of them from now until I leave this sport; don't feel bad for me, I probably had an incredible time out on the trails; doing it my way. 

happy trails - xx
Jeff

- I'm interested in hearing your thoughts so leave a comment below if you have some-