Hardrock training begins

Defying all logic I have been drawn in the Hardrock lottery for the fourth year in a row (didn't run after WS100 in 2007). By chance tonight I happened upon Olga's blog account of Hardrock 2009. I met Olga during course marking. She is a larger than life character and her race report is well worth the read. http://runmoretalkless.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-08-27T07%3A43%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=3

I have borrowed a quote from it as it really struck a chord with me. The quote are the words Joyce whispered in her ear to motivate her at Chapman Aid Station. As an aside, Joyce's husband, Joe, went on to finish outside the cut. But he went on to finish, despite knowing he wouldn't make the cut. John DeWalt did finish his 14th Hardrock aged 73. These people make Hardrock what it is. I am honoured to count myself part of the Hardrock family and humbled to be given another opportunity to test myself over the amazing San Juan Mountains come July.

There is no DNF. You can use “I finished early” word’s trick, if you want to. But you don’t. Look, Joe just left Telluride, right on cut off, and he is still going, and I’ll be waiting for him here, because he will keep going. You got almost 14 hrs to make measly 18 miles, and you’ve been to those before. Piece of cake. You are wonderful. You are beautiful. You are strong as they get. Stronger then most can even imagine. If anybody, you can do it. Just think of it as a “walk in a park”. A romantic outing with your sweetie. Take your time. Look around. Don’t look at the watch, because you have so much time, you can circle the town of Silverton 10 times after you are done – and still make it. Think of Johnny DeWalt, that 73 year old man, who is still clicking it, and he WILL make it to his 14th finish. So will you. Piece of cake, dear, just piece of cake...

My Hardrock training has begun in earnest.