Small Steps, Serious Chafing: For the Love of Trail Running...

The good people over at www.trailandultrarunning.com are giving away an Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek Ultra Vest (which I have been eyeing) and all I have to do is write in 400 words or less why I love trail/ultra running. So without wasting anymore words here is why I love trail and ultra running and the community that goes along with it:

Training:

Training for my first 50k was tough, but I have never had so much fun running in my life, even when I was beyond exhausted.

Respect:

The ultra running community is filled with a tremendous amount of resepect for not only the trails & terrain they run but for each other including the newbies like me.

Adventure:

Different trails, routes, locations and distances

Interesting:

As a whole the community and the sport is interesting which makes it even more fun to explore and to get to know other runners and hear their stories.

Limits:

Allows a person to find their limits and surpass them.

Aid Stations:

The aid stations at ultra races are so much better then just gels and a sports drink!

Nature:

So beautiful and peaceful when you explore nature on foot.

DNF:

What I once had viewed as the ultimate failure (pre ultra running) I now see as a learning experience and proof of how bad ass these trail & ultra runners are every time they get back out there and attempt it all over again.

Ultimate Direction Scott Jurek Ultra Vest:

Shameless plea to pick me...I am in need of a better vest (one that has both a bladder and water bottles) for longer unsupported training runs.

Laughs and friendship:

Friends I have made and memories that include some really good laughs will last a lifetime.

Teach & Share:

I have learned a great deal in the last 7 months from seasoned (and even new) trail and ultra runners. It is a pretty awesome community of people who want others to succeed as well.

Reflection:

The time on the trails has allowed me to really reflect on life, what is important, and who I am. It has allowed me to discover my own strength but at the same time to reflect on the beauty of the world in which we live.