Chrysalis of an adventure (How does somebody decide to do something this stupid?)

So why do something like this? Stupidity is the first thing that would pop into the mind of most people. Now, I’m not trying to say that this event is am not stupid (or that I'm not stupid). Let’s step back to the summer of 1997. At this point in my life, my running ‘career’ consisted of a few weekly runs during college to counteract my pizza and alcohol consumption. I ran a couple of 5ks after graduating (in 1994) and I think one 10 miler and one half marathon. My roommate, Ira, had run a marathon and I thought it would be cool to someday have that accomplishment under my belt. However, 2 years later, I still hadn’t thought it was so cool that I actually started training for one.

I was walking through the FairHill lab one day and overheard two friends (Chris McKay and William Sekyi) discussing their running plans. Apparently, they both decided to begin training for the November 1997 Philadelphia Marathon. What? By the time I left the lab, I had decided something to the effect of “Well, if you two can do it, so can I.” That’s right. I started running marathons for the simple reasons of ego and pride.

What did a wise man once say about pride? “You may feel a slight sting. That’s pride (messing) with you. (Screw) pride! Pride only hurts, it never helps.” Well, I have to say that after 18 marathons, I’m glad I followed Butch’s lead and ignored the advice.

Fast forward to this winter...I’m included on a Gore email detailing the inaugural Gore-Tex TransRockies Run. As the name suggests, it’s sponsored by Gore and it’s in the Rockies. I glance at the website and think “Yeah, that sounds awesome. I’ve been thinking that after I p.r. in the marathon this May, I’ll need to do something different for a while.” Then I remove my head from the orifice from which it obviously must have recently relocated and think “What?! 20+ miles per day for 6 days. At altitude. With 25000 feet of elevation gain.” Not exactly my idea of courage…more like…suicide. And then I find out that Gore is not footing the bill for any of us who participate. Ok, so now not only is it a stupid idea for me, it’s expensive. There are plenty of stupid things I can do (and have done, as many of you have witnessed) for far less money than that.

Last week another Gore email is circulated. Gore is paying for 4 teams! Cool. But I’m still not doing it. There is also the need for volunteers. Volunteers, after paying to get themselves to the race, are fed, sheltered, and transported between stages during the race in exchange for their services (working the Gore hospitality tent or an aid station). And, they get to run one of the stages of the race. This sounds great. If I pay for a plane ticket to Denver, I’ll get a week in the Rockies with other runners and a taste of what it will be like if I decide to do it next year. So I email the guy leading the efforts to recruit runners and volunteers and tell him to sign me up as a volunteer.

Less than a day later, I’m speaking with a friend who is interested in volunteering as well. During the conversation I learn that (insert two anonymous names here) are going to run the race. What?! I didn’t even know they were marathon runners. I’m told that they’re not. Well, if they can do it, so can I.