Running Far

I am at a conference in Connecticut, my home state.  I was set up to be roommates with a colleague I have not known well, at least until these past couple of days.  It turns out we have a bit in common. 

He is a parent (although his children are grown), he writes poetry, and he is a distance runner.  I have been inspired by our conversations.  He has run a few ultramarathons, including the Vermont 50, my only ultramarathon.  He volunteers for the Vermont 100 each year.  I have been thinking about it lots lately and I am excited about the idea of a 100.

I have wanted to do one for a while.  I am thinking I may want to try for 2009.  There is a chance I could run the Vermont 50 this fall but I really have not been training lots.  It would mean a big time commitment and I am unsure to what I can commit at this point.  But a year from this summer might be possible for the 100. 

At the least, I should try for some kind for long run this fall.  The Green Mountain marathon in October might be a possibility.  Or something else.  I need to have a goal to keep myself running long.  If I have a goal then I can avoid making excuses.  At least I can avoid making excuses often. 

The two of us ran together this morning.  We did not go far or fast but it was good to run with someone else for a change.  Mostly it is a solo pursuit for me.  We chatted and both talked about the idea of running the Vermont 100 in 2009.  That might work.  If I have a goal and have someone pushing me to do it (and in this case ribbing me if I get behind in training), I will be more likely to make it happen. 

I am not committed yet, but I will mull it over.  I have been called a muller before, and this one needs some mulling.  Time to train means time away from other things, including my family.  So we'll see.  A little time in the home state may just turn out to be the catalyst I have needed.