The canyons endurance runs - 100M

I don't know what it takes to complete a 100-mile race: I've never run one. I'm going to do my best to find out what it takes for me, because I'm sure it's different for everyone. It starts with why I want to do it, but that's not an easy answer. I like to push the boundaries of my body's ability to endure, and running is the method I choose to test those limits. I enjoy the satisfaction of completing an arduous endeavor enough to intentionally put myself in a position to suffer in order to attain that feeling of accomplishment. I enjoy being part of a subset of humans who have accomplished feats the average person thinks are wild. When I hear about someone running a distance most people don't even like to drive, I immediately add it to my mental to-do list. 

I thrive when I have a physical goal. Being healthy in the present is great. My life - and other's lives - literally depend on my physical abilities. Being healthy in the future is of the utmost importance. Among many other reasons, I want to be able to play with my future grandchildren and not be hindered by poor health. But nebulous goals like those don't excite me. Running a sub 3-hour marathon excites me. Running a sub 82-minute half marathon excites me. Running a sub 24-hour 100-mile ultramarathon excites me. Running 200 miles in any amount of time excites me. This is why I'm constantly stacking my calendar with races, and why I'm constantly putting in the work to accomplish those goals. I'm not getting younger, and eventually the time goals are going to have to change. The distance goals don't, though, as long as I stay healthy.  Here is where I'm going to record my journey toward those goals.

Enjoy the ride. I do. 

Race readiness is built on a foundation of proper training. I choose to look at it like a pyramid, with each level of the pyramid supporting the next. This pyramid will be built with 190 days of deliberate work, culminating on race day. Rest is part of that work. Rest is what allows my body to adapt to the stress of training. This pyramid doesn't take into account things like nutrition, hydration, and mental stimulation. This is just representative of the physical work.