Pretty amazing weekend!

[scottinflorida]

As some of you know, I enjoy running.  One of the things I have always been fascinated by is the concept of the ultramarathon - you know, those people that have decided that 26.2 miles is just not far enough to run - they need to go farther than that.

This past weekend, I volunteered at the Long Haul 100 Ultra in Wesley Chapel, Florida.



These people are amazing.  The 100-mile race started at 7 am on Saturday.  They ran all day Saturday, through the night, and the last ones finished around 11 am on Sunday.  I was there for several hours both days, helping out at aid stations and whatever needed to be done.  It's a huge effort and all of the money raised goes to benefit an organization in Haiti, helping the people there rebuild their economy.

They have shorter races for those that can't fathom running 100 miles.  There is the 100k (62 miles) and also the 100 furlong (12.5 miles).  For any of you that are interested in running, an ultra is an awesome event to watch.  I hope one day I might even participate in one!

[Maddysmom]

Wow!  100 miles!     That truly IS amazing.  I thought I was really accomplishing just walking a few miles.  I cannot even imagine running that far and for that long.  Thanks for sharing! 

[shawn116]

I know right???   Sheesh...what an accomplishment!  And for a good cause too.  That sounds like it's right up your alley Scott 

[scottinflorida]

I know right???   Sheesh...what an accomplishment!  And for a good cause too.  That sounds like it's right up your alley Scott 

Yeah, not quite yet!  I was almost embarrassed to talk about my upcoming 13.1 mile race.  These people do marathons as a training run!

I was talking to one of the runners after he dropped out after about 30 miles.  He was feeling good at the start and just went out too fast, then hit the wall at 30 miles.  However, in his defense, he has completed SEVEN 100-mile races in the last THREE MONTHS.  So I guess we can cut him a little slack. 

[shawn116]

    I'm just amazed Wow

[Doug Varrieur]

I'd fall on my face and break my nose!

[mouseissue]

I'd fall on my face and break my nose!

100 MILES???   Me, too!

My hat's off to you Scott for helping such a wonderful cause!

Tony

[morgan]

Won't be long and I'm sure we will see you running in that 100 miles Scott 

[Stephanie]

So Awesome! 

[umpa]

13 miles is amazing Scott you should be proud! What a great charity!

[scottinflorida]

Well, the 13 is not done yet... I have been having some knee pain that I've been trying to work through in the last couple of weeks.  Did 4 miles this morning and it was tolerable so we'll see how it goes with 8 or 10 on Saturday. 

[umpa]

You can do it scott!!

[mdanziger]

Scott, people who do these ultra distance competitions are both amazing and totally insane.

I am not a runner, but I love riding my bicycle.  I am a casual cyclist, never competed.  In a similar vain to the incredible athletes that run these 100 mile marathons, there is the Race Across America (RAAM).  These people literally ride from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean with nothing more than a few cat naps.  The fastest competitors complete the race in 8.5 to 9 days.  I get winded cycling a few miles around town.  I sometimes daydream about one day being be able to follow the route of the RAAM as a casual rider.  I am sure it would take me weeks.  It would also like to hike the Appalachian Trail from end to end some day.

Mark

[umpa]

Doug and I have hiked quite a bit of the Appalachian trail.We are doing it in sections.My sister Larisa rode her bicycle from Houston Texas to Austin Texas for charity for Houston childrens hospital where she worked .It was wicked cool! i was very proud of her