That could be me

Some years ago I was running a race in Chiang Rai at a sensible 38 km distance. As I ran out from Singha Park that morning through the hills and terraced agricultural fields of northern Thailand, runners from the 68 km race (a race that had started the previous evening) were moving in the opposite direction, making their way back to the finish.

They looked shattered and dazed as I passed them. “That could be me, someday,” was the inexplicable thought that came to mind. Last weekend at the Orcas Island 50K, I finally had my chance to run an ultramarathon.¹

I’d run at Orcas Island ten years ago, in the snow.

The route through Moran State Park took advantage of the mountains to produce a course with 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) of elevation gain over 50 km.

When you have 2,200 meters of elevation gain, you also have to descend that same amount.

After 9 hours and 43 minutes, I was back at sea level.