When you see people persevere when things get uncomfortable and difficult, it’s a beautiful thing.
That’s why I love trail and ultra running. It often pushes people to the brink; to points where they’re uncomfortable, where they’re unfamiliar; to where the voices in their heads say “This hurts. This is uncomfortable. We should quit.” And yet many push on.
When that happens, the activity transcends sport or hobby. At that point, it’s a display of the capability of the human spirit. It’s an exercise in resilience. It shows what they’re made of. It’s beautiful… like art.
I know that sounds a bit much. But, having been around this sport for awhile, I’ll stand by that. That’s why, as much as I loved running in these races back when I could, it was so cool today to be volunteering and supporting runners as they pushed their boundaries, especially the folks who ran the 8-hour event (for some, their first beyond a 5K). People who pushed beyond their goals. People who, despite pain and suffering, found a way to push on. Beautiful.
Many will brave a 12-hour ultra in two weeks, and I can’t wait to see it.