In two weeks, it will be 5 years since the car accident that turned my world upside down. That accident was only two weeks before my first and only attempt at an ultramarathon. As I’ve been gleefully plugging along on my run streak, I’ve become motivated to tackle some races. Anticipating a half marathon in March (hopefully overseas, if everything works out), a trail marathon in May…and then, I started thinking, I have time to properly train for an ultra. So, of course I began contemplating, which one? The answer is clear.
I’m going to run the Destin Beach Ultra again. This time I’m going to finish.
The question becomes, which distance?
In 2012, it was the 50K.
I’m thinking in 2018, it may be the 50 miler.
I’m not certain yet and first, I will need to ensure I can run a 50K, but I’d find it a kind of kismet to go back home, finish the race that my accident derailed, and have my family there to witness me finishing what I started, even if it took me longer than expected.
That seems to be my life: I have big dreams, big plans, and sometimes, life gets in the way, but I come back and I succeed in the end. Years in between don’t matter because they’re filled with plenty of other living but I finally attain my goals. It will be apropos to run those beaches again and not be defeated halfway through.
So, here’s looking forward to February 2018! See you in Destin!
