In just over twenty-four hours I'll be at the starting line for the North Face Endurance Challenge 50-mile trail run. The weather should be nice. "Nice" weather in this context means high 30's to 60F perhaps as the highest. For the most part, all my bodily systems are a "Go." A nagging minor tendon issue on the top of my left foot being the only exception. However, any discomfort from it disappears quickly once I'm warmed up. More extensive recovery for this tendon issue will have to wait until after this Saturday.
To many people, a long run like this one would seem almost an insurmountable task. Not for me. Do I say this because I'm cocky, wise-guy, or conceited? No. The fact is, peoples' psychological dispositions vary greatly - as do their more obviously physical dispositions and talents. I would find it more difficult and "hard" to do a bunch of housework or yardwork than running 50 miles. Perhaps that was admitting too much. Oh well. During my childhood and adolescent years I also found the act of talking to certain girls I liked a more difficult and challenging proposition that running a hard 2-mile race or a workout consisting of 20 X 400 meters with short recoveries. Running for me was actually a drug of sorts. A hard workout or race loosened inhibitions that had kept me from speaking or doing those things that deep-down I wanted to do. Endorphins are powerful, I guess. I know there's more to it though. Knowing oneself and what makes one tick is right good knowledge to have.
It should be a fun day tomorrow. Three of our kids will be going with me - and spending some time with the grandparents in the process. It's good to have family. The kids are looking forward to the Kids' Race - a 1K race that is scheduled for the mid afternoon. What a joy it is to have kids who, though may may not "train" in the organized sense, love to run. I look forward to watching them.
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