As I begin to get back to serious running and improving my health now that I have turned 60 I looked back through my running stuff to find those motivational moments. Back when an ultra marathon wasn't so much out of my realm I tried my hand at the Sri Chinmoy 6 day race back in 2010. It was an eye-opening experience and made me realize just how tough a runner has to be to accomplish these feats. Here's a little interview they did with me on a cold and rainy evening as I struggled to keep on pushing forward.
On Sunday afternoon David Holt 51, from Pepperell MA.,says he is falling apart. He was happy with the early part of the 6 day race but now things are not going well. It is his first multi day and after day one he has entered into brand new territory. Some of the usual torments of multi days have paid him visits. There are blisters shin splints, and finding it difficult to sleep. “That cold rain and wind took some of the wind out of my sails.”
His last big race was the 24 hour race in Quebec last year, this race he describes, “is a whole new adventure for me. I always wanted to do it.”
His expectations are to be still moving at the end of 6 days, and hopefully make 400 miles. Though a little disappointed with some of difficulties he is experiencing he says nonetheless, “the organization is fantastic. The people are fantastic. I have always known it has been a great organization.” He feels that it is this genuine help that is for him and the other runners helping to push them on.
I never did get the wind back in my sails and had to DNF after 3 days and 166 miles when it was horrible shin splints that made even walking tortuous. Still the fire is in me somewhere, buried under years of neglect that I intend to rekindle and try it once again.
