New here and just wondering what made you run ultra distances?? Someday I hope to run REALLY far

haha... that's how I feel too

Plus it helps keep me skinny . Kelly

Amen!!

To see if I can. Oh - and for the hot babes.

To live on simpler terms: Food, air, water, salt. To push beyond dejection, exhilaration. To make everything else in life seem easier.

and presumably for the hot babes?

Well said Leslie! [hoping to become one of those dudes in not too long]

...on a somewhat serious note... I started my years in the Boy Scouts hiking in the White Mountains in NH. I started running in the mid 70's after being heavily involved in Drum corps (BAC) for many years...I needed something when I got too old for that, so I found running after a small stint in bodybuilding which led to running. In 1975 bill Rodgers won the Boston Marathon, I was inspired enough to train for a marathon. I ran a 3:45 in 1978 at NYC. One year later I ran a 2:59, then 6 weeks later a 2:48. That was my PR. ...I think you get the point here...I was obsessed with attacking everything I got into. If I didn't get into running I probably would have gotten into alcohol like my dad and brothers. They took a left and I went right or vice-versa. I was living in Medford, Ma at the time across the highway from the Middlesex Fells Reservation....I started to run on trails. I went to trail races. I subscribed to Ultrarunning because of a friend of mine who knew the editors then. I went ballistically into running mileage on the trails. At a trail race I heard about a trail marathon....I ran it. At the trail marathon I heard about a 50K. I ran it, then a 50, then a 100. In 1996 I ran my first 50 and in 1998 my first 100 at Vermont. I had to run it in one day and did in 19:45. I kept going and two weeks ago finished my 2nd Hardrock 100, which is my present and probably always obsession. Why? Because Hardrock tries it's hardest to keep you from finishing it. Hardrock is basically a fast hike with some running here and there....remember where I started? Hiking? Life is a big circle, you will return from where you came Steve PS: The babes at Hardrock were hot Right, Lynn?

ultrasteve, I was in Drum Corps too....'87 and '89. Something I was very passionate about until the dreaded age out. Running has really seemed to take on that long lost passion and now instead of Drum Corps World, I subscribe to Runner's World...haha....I really hope to run really far one day (as soon as this damn ankle heals....twisted it walking the dog the other night)....I like numbers so since I'm 40 I'll train for a marathon at 42 and maybe even a 50 at 50 ..... I'll keep ya posted