Perhaps this quote will get you to want to do things you've always wanted to do but were afraid to do. Your big goals are totally different than mine and just as valid, difficult to achieve and exciting to you no matter what they are. Make some plans, set some goals, do something that makes you feel alive.
The perfect adventure shouldn't be that much more hazardous in a real sense than ordinary life, for that invisible rope that holds us here can always break. We can live a life of bored caution and die of cancer. Better to take on the adventure, minimize the risks, get the information, and go forward in the knowledge that we've done everything we can.No, some people would rather not see it, but the bull is there for all of us. Some of us choose to pass the cape in front of its horns. To live life is to risk it. And when you feel the rush of air and catch the stink of hot breath in your face, you enter the secret order of those who have seen their death close up. It makes us live that much more intensely. So intense is it for some that it seals their fate; once they've tasted it, they just can't stop. - Deep Survival, Laurence Gonzalez
Yes you can!
9 comments:
As they say in they commercial:
"Why ask why?.......... Try Bud Dry!"
And I would rather crack open a cold one then to follow in your 10, 20, 50, 100 mile footsteps! But you clearly get the reasons for living, rather than trying to evade death for the rest of our lives.
This Bud's for you, Dusty!! Pfffftt!
I love that book. The most resilient surviving patients are the ones that don't always say yes. I got that from that book!
So does this mean you're contemplating another 100 after all? I didn't want to try to convince you to have another go, but I hoped you would. I need you there to inspire me to go harder and further!
The nausea is a puzzle though and frustrating. I have had intermittent issues with it over the years but not to the extent that I'm guessing you had last weekend. Have you had these problems on long runs in the past?
But yes, why live a 'safe' life? Every time I get out on my bike here in this cyclist-unfriendly city I am completely aware I might not return. Denial? Fatalism? Am I being over dramatic, overstating the risk? Quite frankly I've had enough near-misses to know that I'm not, and the Addisons just adds another risk factor. Am I going to stop cycling, running, getting out there and living? Not on anyone else's life!
I am glad you posted this. I like the last 2 sentences the best.I hope you continue to live like you do and take risks. If we don't go after what we feel we want, it may just slip away. Dusty, you deserve all that you go after in your running and other endeavors in your life.
Hey all, thanks for the comments. We've all got risks that we take. Sometimes it's trying to stay up late and going to a party where we have to be social!! Running is just what I do for now. Who knows what crazy idea I'll have in the future...competitive knitting???
Pip, I will probably attempt another 100. :) Nausea is a usual problem for me during various activities or sometimes not. You go Girl!!
Yes we can!
I'm really glad to hear you haven't given up all hope on trying for 100 again.
There is no taste as bitter as a DNF but then there is no reward better than when you finally accomplish your goal.
The more hard-fought, the sweeter the victory.
As I ran the very short distance of the Bighorn 50 mile that I did, I remember thinking: "I'm really glad I didn't register to do the 100 mile race!"
Bighorn 100 mile might not be at the level of Badwater or Hardrock or Wasatch, but it is considered one of the more challenging ultras in the country.
Might I suggest you try an "easier" hundred first (like Lean Horse Hundred in August)?
I put "easier" in quotes because there is nothing about running 100 miles that is easy- it's all relative.
Of course, I can't talk, I haven't finished a 100 mile ultra I've started yet!
But that's not going to keep me from trying!
If you decide on Lean Horse, let me know- I will be there. Besides Lean Horse, other supposedly "easy" hundreds are: Ulmsted, Heartland 100 and Javelina Jundred.
As for doctors, they don't have any clue or understanding what it is or why we do what we do. Physically active people are sadly the exception in most practices.
Most doctors are trained to treat disease and cure illness- not to maintain health and well-being. I sincerely hope that changes but I am not holding my breath.
Of course, listen to your body and don't do anything (too) stupid. On the other hand don't pay too much attention to "experts" who do not have knowledge or understanding about what we do. Be careful but don't be afraid to go for it.
I hope that 2009 will be the year for me to finally do 100- and I sincerely hope it is for you too!!!
If not, there's always 2010!
Yes, we CAN do it!
Tom,
Best of luck to you at Leanhorse! Your BH pics were AWESOME!!!
You're right, most doctors don't understand why/what we do especially when you throw in multiple chronic illnesses and migraines. I'm very fortunate, my doc doesn't discourage me from doing what I do and he makes it easy for me to get all the treatment I need. He's a gem!
I think I might try The Bear. My husband didn't want me to do 100s but after BH he said, "I'd sure like to pace you for 30 or 40 miles." Sounds like encouragement to me!!!
I look forward to meeting you at some point Tom!
Dusty, thank you, you inspire me and give me hope, more than you could ever realize. I read your blog from my bed or recliner (recliner right now because of serious breathing issues, pneumonia and now a viral issue that has kept me from being able to do pretty much anything but hobble to the bathroom after six bouts of antibiotics in 5 weeks) and after bedrest since Nov, I have hope because of you, that I will have my life back again, that I will get thru all of this, and figure out a way to deal and modify and reclaim living, I am 'only' 40 which is young, too young to resign myself to the life the dr's seem to think I'll have to have, the one I have now, in the house, in bed or on the couch, senditary, with, in my opinion, very little quality of life. I am going to get the book you mentioned, I need it. But again, I have to thank you, you give me hope and you are a Godsend.
Marcia
Marcia, I hope that you are on the mend. Thank you so much for your kind words. I am so glad to know that I can be a source of inspiration to you. I am 41 so we're the same age. :) There's so much that we can all do to have a better quality of life.
:) Dusty
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