I’ve decided to, once again, do something inadvisable. I know, none of you are surprised by this. Doing inadvisable things seems to be my specialty – like drinking 5 cups of coffee for breakfast (thought I was going to have a heart attack), doing a 20 mile trail run in the middle of the summer with one bottle of water (thought I was going to die of heatstroke), getting lost after a trail run while trying to find my car (thought I was going to have to be rescued by a wandering group of Cub Scouts), or running over a plain clothes cop in a parking lot with my SUV because I thought he was trying to attack a woman (he was, but just so he could arrest her). My history of doing dumb things is long and varied.
And I never seem to learn.
But, because I’ve been in a bit of a funk, I decided the only smart (read: dumb) thing to do would be to sign up for a 100 miler this weekend. I mean, what cures a funk (especially one that involves jet lag, illness and overall malaise) better than a long, long, long run in the heat? Really. I actually tried to sign up for some cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu, but couldn’t find any that worked (and didn’t cost a million dollars), so a nice 100 miler seemed like the best alternative.
If I survive it. Because it is a trail 100. And we all know I’m a klutz. And that I get lost. All the time. Which is why I try to stay on roads where there are street signs, and people, and cell signal, and medical help.
But there’s no turning back now. I’ve paid my entry, bought a plane ticket, and booked the hotel. I’m going, whether it is idiotic, or not.
And in a last-ditch attempt to prepare for this 100, I did do some trail running this weekend.
Don’t let the smile fool you, I’d already fallen twice – once into the river.
Yes, I even got lost on this “baby” trail.
And yes, I know, running trails the weekend before a race isn’t really the optimal way to train.
But I had to do something. You can’t stay “funky” forever. Oh well, if this doesn’t work, I can always come back and sign up for the cooking classes. I wonder how dangerous I would be with sharp knives?
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 10 comments }
“Doing inadvisable things seems to be my specialty”…and that’s why we’re friends. 🙂 Because no matter how fun orienteering meets, cyclocross races, or 100-mile bike trips are, they AREN’T the running I should be doing in preparation for next month’s 30K. I can’t bring myself to care OR to drop down to the 20 or 10K, though, so I can look forward to a few hours of suffering. So YES! Do something big, and then tell us all about it! (You know…once you find your way back. :D)
Yes, Kate! I love reading about your adventures ’cause I can totally relate – although you don’t seem to get lost as often as I do 🙂 Maybe I need to practice some of your orienteering. And PS – I just googled Cyclocross in Los Angeles. It’s still a bit intimidating for me, but I will keep looking at it until I get brave enough to try it!
PERFECT! Seriously, you know it’s a good idea. Have fun and guaranteed, FUNKBEGONE!
I did JUST that…go to race, watch. Go to race, watch. It took a friend half dragging me onto the course so SHE wasn’t debuting alone. 🙂 CX isn’t nearly as intimidating once you actually try it. I was terrified, then once I was on the course I was wondering what the heck I’d been so afraid of (well, when I had enough oxygen to actually think of anything).
Too funny, Kate! An that is what I will keep doing until I get up enough nerve to do it. You seriously make it look like so much fun!
Thanks, Kirstin! I guess it’s better than sitting on the couch eating cupcakes. Okay, maybe not, but hopefully it will get me out of my funk!
Your posts never cease to bring a smile to my face. I often try to visualize one of these classic klutzy moves of yours and can’t help but to laugh with you about it. A 100 miler sounds like a superb crazy thing to do. Can’t wait to hear about it. Best of luck!
Thank you, Kent. You just made my day 🙂
Who needs cooking classes when you can rock an excellent crepe?
A 100 mile trail race sounds perfect–I’m sure SuperKate is uber proud. Can’t wait to hear all about it! : )
Thank you, Marcia! Made crepes again for breakfast – then had to get back in bed 🙂
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