Why I Run Ultras

       Since I've started endurance running, I have to say the single most asked question I hear from people is simply: why? Most people can kind of understand why I might want to run recreationally. Like eating your veggies; everyone knows it's good for you so they might try it from time to time. But Ultras? that's not even healthy for you! So what's with it?
      I have say it's not an easy question for me to answer and not one I'm always in the mood to dissect either. But I do think the question deserves an honest answer.

The simplest answer I can think of is: Because I can

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure." - Marianne Williamson

       Life is hard. There's no way around it. And about 99.99% of everything that happens to us, we have no control over. If we focus on that 99.99% it's easy to have an excuse about why nothing great happened. It's the 0.01% that resides in our minds that all of a sudden makes us responsible our lives outcome. We are not victims of life because we can decide what we want to do with what's given to us. 
        For too long, I've seen too much of my family's, friends', and my own potential go untapped simply cause we stopped taking responsibility for it. I don't want that anymore and that's why I run ultras. Not everyone can run an ultramarathon, but I knew I wasn't one of those people. Ultra running has helped me shift from having a victim mentality towards life to a point of view of strength and responsibility. And for the first time I'm being honest about what I'm capable of. Lots of people tell me they think I'm crazy for running 100+ miles; I think it's the sanest thing I've ever done.