running thoughts; from my travels

I would write in my phone random thoughts about stuff while travelling. Lots of time to think while you're living on a bus for a few weeks. Here are some of my  thoughts. Just feel like writing them to ppnder them later.

- I need to plan less in terms of races. Reason is that because I still haven't nailed down my race motivation, I'm very apt to change my mind in terms of what races I want to do. So I should just plan less races and follow my whims for registration
- I like to run. A very simple statement, perhaps complicated meaning for more than running. I value being outside, and I value using exercise/running as a tool for personal growth more than I value the 'race' itself, although I very much enjoy the race day experiemce, I just am capable of recognizing that I have yet to find the thing to tap into that motivates me to truly race properly.
- The immenseness of the grand canyon somehow made me want to skip doing a 50 km race, and come home to do a 120 mile trail race that I knew would be in the mose scenic mountains on awesome single track trails. An interesting revelation that reveals a bit of my preferences I suppose.

no other real interesting quotes.

I found myself coming to terms with my inability to stick with a solid plan; I suppose that is more related to my increasing frustration through this years races of not feeling as though I have had a race result that reflects my athletic ability, or anywhere near it as far as I feel. I've had a fantastic year in terms of running; great people, great places, great improvements.

I spent a lot of time thinking about why race? And have even asked people several times during races something along the lines of "when you are mentally down during an ultra, what motivates you through" - no one really ever had a solid answer, usually just my desire outweighs the cost. I didnn't quite get it, so far this year I wasn't able to get to that point, that is until after I ended my day during fat dog. But more on that later.

So in the end, what are the answers I got for myself about running?

- I really like to run.
- Epic distances and epic mountains are definitely preferred over any sort of accolades, although sometimes its easier to hit those epics through racing.
- I really like to challenge myself through running. Challenges that transcend just the physicality of running.
- I am thankful to be so blessed to be able to live in a place where I have such free time and ability to pursue such lofty ambitions, and to be granted the ability to challenge myself through these sorts of crazy adventures. Always learning, and wanting to push further.