December 20, 2013

Are We All Flawed Characters?


Ultra runners are an interesting breed. As one myself, I believe we are an obsessive, compulsive, selfish, narcissistic, stubborn, ego-driven group, to mention a few descriptors. Oh, sure, you aren't one of these types, right? Wrong. If you've strapped on a pair of shoes and trained for a 50 mile race or longer chances are your character is flawed by some or all of these tendencies.

But there is more to the story here. If you are an utlra runner, you've probably run next to someone during a 100 mile race, pacing them toward the finish line while they struggle from mile to mile and through highs and lows. Or chances are you've spent the better part of a day working at an aid station helping other runners through challenges non-runners couldn't begin to understand. Or maybe you've spent hours on a 30 mile long run hanging back with a buddy who was struggling to hold his cookies.

Running. It's all about the yin and the yang.

Happy holidays to all you flawed characters out there!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have more problems then a 5th grade math book. Given the chance (an ear)I'll talk as long as some one will listen. It's the ME factor !!! I applaud all of you who listen to me go on an on about how fast I used to be . But really ... I was once really fit ! Fast ! And handsome !

Matthew @ The Lasik Method said...

Thought provoking!

it's all about pace said...

well said Will...

Ultrarunners are my favorite... flaws and all

Jeneen said...

As a newb going for her first 50k in 2014, I agree. I'm glad I stumbled across your blog. Follow my journey. I look forward to more of your posts.