Tahoe 200

Pre Race

280 runners will cross the starting line on Friday morning, representing all walks of life and skill levels. For me and many others, this will be their first 200-mile race. I decided a couple of years ago, when I turned 50, that I would do something big to show that getting older doesn’t have to be something most people say. I don’t want to inspire anyone to do something difficult; I want to show people that limiting yourself is a foolish way of thinking. My view on limits is to have none, but to believe they aren’t there to be imposed when you challenge yourself.

With all that said, I’m sitting here the day before, nervous and scared of what’s to come in the next few days. What is funny,, though, is that the people around me seem more nervous than I am. All I have to do is keep stepping forward through the highs and lows that are for sure going to come. I have goals for this race, but as it gets closer, doubts keep coming up. There’s a 60-mile stretch of wet feet, a mile-long snow patch on a mountainside, stomach issues, blisters on my feet, falling, rolled ankles, sleep deprivation, and the list goes on. This is the main reason I and others do this: problem-solving to keep moving forward. It helps you handle everyday problems in life a little more easily.

I’ll have help from friends who will be struggling right beside me. That’s what motivates me most, but I’ll also use other mental tricks and what I call cookies to keep going. People think that when pain starts hitting, it’s time to quit, but in reality, it’s your mind protecting itself from the growth and making you think limits exist. I’m heading into the race with some foot issues and a hamstring that will slow me down, but they won’t stop me. Most runners, if not all, will start with similar problems due to their prior training.

Crossing the finish line is the goal, but just showing up at the start counts for more than most would even consider trying. You can watch paint dry as I go for the Tahoe 200 on their live tracking site and look for number 169.

Remember: limits don’t exist; you learn from your failures and try again.