Everything begins somewhere.
For me that somewhere was the Summit Triathlon back in 2008. My friend Eric had to convince me that it would be *fun*. As far as triathlons go it was simple, a 1.5 mile run, 6 mile bike and 200 yard swim. I thought I was going to die. I had not done anything so physically active since my teens. I remember two things after that day. One, I was never going to do that again and two I was starving. After finishing a huge breakfast and coming home and taking a nap something magical happened. I forgot about the pain and wanted to try something more.
In 2009 I started doing more, but still had not committed myself to anything really, I completed my first Sprint triathlon, Salem Spring, and my first 10k the Speedy Spaniard. I also managed to do the Wahsatch Back Relay (aka Ragnar), in which I had ran the farthest I had in my entire life 7 miles, 16 miles total.
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| Eric and I at Salem Spring Tri 2010 |
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| My wife Stephanie and I at the Summit Triathlon in 2010 |
In 2010 I decided I wanted to try biking more. I did the Tour de St. George and the Ulcer. I also did Salem, Summit and the Rex Lee 10k. I still had not really committed myself to really doing something or even serious training.
My Dad and I at the Ulcer 2010
In 2011 that all changed. I committed myself to doing a Half Ironman with the eventual goal of a full length event in 2012. I started training and doing everything I could to get into shape. Well almost everything, I still couldn't give up the junk food. I was biking to work and doing tri's as often as I could. I got a major reality check at the Echo Olympic try in July. I was feeling good but completely bonked on the run. I needed to do more. So I stepped it up with only 2 more months to train till the Utah Half. I finished and it was everything I thought it would be. What a great challenge. Fresh off the half I was looking forward to next year where I would be able to do a Full Ironman. I even bought a new bike.
Everything changes
In early 2012 I was still planning on doing a full Ironman. I had stepped up my running and swimming in anticipation through the winter. But the problem was I was frustrated with constantly training. I was even more frustrated with my running. I was getting better and improving but I just wasn't seeing the results that I really wanted. Just before my daughter Emma was born I picked up a copy of Born to Run based on a recommendation from a friend.
There were many things that stuck with me from that book but one phrase in particular really hit home. "Why were ultra runners always smiling?". The interesting thing was McDougall was right! Every picture I looked at they were all smiling, covered in mud, in the rain or snow, on mile 50 or 100. That really got me. Why was my experience so different? Even after 3 years of "running" I hated every step. Everything hurt, there was no joy. How could I be one of those people who smile at mile 50? What was the secret?
Well, I shifted focus. We were having a very warm February so I took off up to the mountains closest to me. I ran in the cold along the dirt road wondering and trying to see if I could find that inner something. I started bringing friends up with me. We started running longer routes, some paved, some dirt, but we had a good group going. I took my friend Chris up with me several times, we had some good runs. I was stoked to be running but something was still missing.
Chris suggested that we head up to the mouth of Provo canyon to run some trails that he had done. I had never been truly trail running before so one morning we decided to give it a try. Something clicked that morning. No I wasn't suddenly an ultra runner. Heck I couldn't really even run a hill to save my life, but I began to have that feeling of enjoyment when I ran. I had finally found my place on the trails.
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| Before the swim on the Utah Half |
In early 2012 I was still planning on doing a full Ironman. I had stepped up my running and swimming in anticipation through the winter. But the problem was I was frustrated with constantly training. I was even more frustrated with my running. I was getting better and improving but I just wasn't seeing the results that I really wanted. Just before my daughter Emma was born I picked up a copy of Born to Run based on a recommendation from a friend.
There were many things that stuck with me from that book but one phrase in particular really hit home. "Why were ultra runners always smiling?". The interesting thing was McDougall was right! Every picture I looked at they were all smiling, covered in mud, in the rain or snow, on mile 50 or 100. That really got me. Why was my experience so different? Even after 3 years of "running" I hated every step. Everything hurt, there was no joy. How could I be one of those people who smile at mile 50? What was the secret?
Well, I shifted focus. We were having a very warm February so I took off up to the mountains closest to me. I ran in the cold along the dirt road wondering and trying to see if I could find that inner something. I started bringing friends up with me. We started running longer routes, some paved, some dirt, but we had a good group going. I took my friend Chris up with me several times, we had some good runs. I was stoked to be running but something was still missing.
Chris suggested that we head up to the mouth of Provo canyon to run some trails that he had done. I had never been truly trail running before so one morning we decided to give it a try. Something clicked that morning. No I wasn't suddenly an ultra runner. Heck I couldn't really even run a hill to save my life, but I began to have that feeling of enjoyment when I ran. I had finally found my place on the trails.
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