Good Morning LB2.

It's my Saturday and I'm drinking some cup of the God's (coffee) and will go ski again near the house. We have xc ski courses 1 mile from the house. Last night ski was at the cemetery since it has lights. I'm looking fwd to the wooded area today.

QOTD: My favorite trail distances are all of the one's I've "raced"... 4 miles through 26 miles. The 4 mile one was fun since you basically run as fast as the nearest person you can latch on too, and you should always run faster then you think you can. 26 miles is fun because you get to walk when you're tired. I've only done two of those and the last one was point to point in Death Valley. I haven't done ultras before since I wanted to focus on longer events like, backpacking. I want to get into fast packing. I really like the idea of three day trips. My first fast pack attempt was a point to point about 23, 26, 28 in the desert a couple years ago. If I could I would just do those, not long term backpacking, not trail races but a bunch of three day trail running trips. I like the solitude and the blend of immersion in scenery. And carrying all that you need gives it more credibility to me for some reason.

Good morning, LB.  Hope your weather is better than our cold windy stuff.

It was 6* and blowing when I got up and I did intervals (800's) on the treadmill.  I'm waiting for Lowes to deliver a dishwasher, so cold weather was not the real reason I ran on the TM.  So far they are an hour late, so I could have headed to the mountains and been back by now .  After they get here I get to install the new appliance.  We've been 10 days without a dishwasher and it's amazing how you miss things like that when they break down.

QOTD:  I do agree with the rejuvenated spirit thing, and for me it would be personal accomplishment.  My staff put up a picture of me after a race and I was actually a bit embarrassed that patients were asking me about running for so long.  I don't run long distances to brag or to say "look what I did" on FB.  I like to keep it a personal challenge and give myself a pat on my own back.  I have no problem at all with runners who post or boast about their accomplishments, and I really enjoy reading about them (RR's are always my favorite read), but I'm not comfortable doing that (except maybe to a small online forum of like minded runners).  Plus I get tired of hearing "I don't even like to drive for 100 mile" or "who would want to stay awake for 24 hours let alone run".

With any luck, midday will be quiet and I can get in a 6-7 mile trail run with the Lady over Coventry Woods. I am starting to notice more evening daylight as there was still a hint of light when I drove the gym last night after work. This makes me happy, even if it is bitter cold and windy again today.

QOTD: A raced a variety of distances on the trail last year. The shorter ones (5k-20k) were mostly because they were local and it's good to push the pace and run hard. Sort of workouts I suppose in a race setting. The longer ones (6 hour, 12 hours, 70 miler) are mostly to test myself in another fashion I suppose, endurance, and the ability to cope with the pain and discomfort of long distance. Wow that sounds a bit sick! It's interesting though the second wind and gears you can find towards the end of a long race. Last year I remember around mile 62 of Laurel Highlands a t-storm was blowing in just as I was leaving the final station. Me and some other dude just took off into the woods like it was early in the race. The rain came down hard and it was so much fun.. hard to believe it was 14+ hours into the run the way we were moving. I've only done a few 100 milers... I consider those more of an adventure than the other long distances.

Still taking URDs because of a hacking cough, but the QOTD intrigues me.

QOTD: Over the years I'd raced every standard distance from 800m to ultra marathons (50K, 12-hour, and 24-hour) and venues from indoor tracks to trails.. The reasons for running have been as varied as the distances. With the shorter races, it's almost always been for time and place. With the move to primarily trails and ultras, it's been more for the atmosphere and camaraderie. I chose races now for who I can meet there, the scenery, the location, and the race reputation.

DW got this morning for a 3 mile run in single digits - so proud of her.  I thought for sure she would have quit by now.  I am contemplating taking today as a rest day.  Usually Wednesday are but my legs need a break.  We'll see.

So apparently all my complaining that we have no snow and now we might get snowpocalypse this weekend.  I am ok for 8-10 inches but some models give us the potential for 2-3 feet  .

QOTD: I am a lot like AT and his answer.  I don't care about bragging or even telling most people that I enjoy the longer distances (50k, 50 miles) and tough terrain.  I usually sign up as a way to keep myself going.  I love running but it's too easy to lapse in the mileage and quality runs when you don't have a race or other event to work towards.  It is definitely a personal accomplishment thing for me.  I don't even write race reports anymore on a blog (just on here).  I imagine myself giving up the races at some point and going to more of a running experience (Grand Canyon R2R2R or similar).

Have a great day!

Going to get out for 4-5 snowy miles this evening.

QOTD: Because it's fun   My "perfect" or most preferred distance is 25K. Just long enough to know you did something, but short enough that I can have a life outside of running.

Good Afternoon All.

Probably 6-8 after work on my usual flat development bike trail and development roads. Depends on how cold that damn wind is blowing if I get 8 in or not. Agree with XT on I'll deal with the cold as long as the sunlight lingers. Spring is coming..slowly even though we have some snow coming. Blah.

I have only run one 100 miler, but I feel it's my distance of choice moving forward. It has everything within it. Much more then any other distance I feel anyway. It's a massive roller coaster of every emotion the human mind can experience. It absolutely strips you down to your bare being of survival. It becomes a singular focus that you just cannot get in any other part of your life. Nothing matters but finishing. And seeing a second sunrise on the same run is life changing. You see it for the pure beauty that it is. And on top of that the challenge of all during the run of multi tasking with nutrition, and gear, and constantly monitoring your hydration and urination levels and lets face it your vital signs. 100 milers have an allure and a sexiness to them in a sick way. Maybe I'm just weird.