The 30-miler

So, I did the Ragnar Trail a week before the Ironman St. George.  This event was down in Zion's Traverse and I did it as an ultra team with 3 other guys in the neighborhood instead of an 8-man team.  So, you basically run twice as much as the other teams, which of course there is a joke that you are "ultra cool" being on an ultra team.  I think it was due to these guys being nuts and gluttons for ultra pain.  Trail running is so different from street running.  You don't go nearly as fast, but it sure is so much more enjoyable...to just be out in nature and see God's beauty.

My biggest physical challenge this year has been the asthma and anemia.  I used to never be sick or sickly.  The weird thing is that I get sinus infections every year, but this past year I didn't get that.  Instead, the infection went right into my lungs and flared up into asthma, and I feel that I can't breathe too well.  It has debilitated me a little bit in that I can't seem to push myself harder.  Nor, can I do the uphill very well anymore...not like I was ever good at that.  But, it has definitely slowed me down.  I can't ever seem to get enough oxygen and my energy level is not quite where it used to be either.  When I start an event, or even during training, I feel I could keep going and maintaining but it is all at a much slower pace.  Regardless of the challenge, I will keep trying to do my best.  Hopefully, I won't start letting the guys down.

  From left to right: Chris Nelson - Tim Flinders - me - Nate Younger