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While relaxing and chatting with family and friends on the shores of Lake Michigan in early July, my friend Betsy suggested I provide an update on some of the things I’ve been doing this year. Thanks to Betsy’s encouragement, I wrote this post. During the dark of winter, I was feeling a little sluggish. So I decided to do something drastic. With some trepidation, I signed up for the Oregon Cascades 100-mile ultramarathon, a long-distance race in the mountains between Bend and Sisters. Although I’ve run several ultramarathons and marathons previously, I’ve never run more than 50 miles in a single effort. Before I signed up, I was usually running about 20 miles a week. To prepare for the challenge of a hundred miler, I’ve ramped up my training considerably. This week I plan on running about 70 miles, which has been my weekly average since May. The training has been life-changing, and the consistency and volume have allowed my running practice to flourish. In June, as part of my training, I participated in the Wy’East Wonder 50-mile race, an ultramarathon held in Mt. Hood National Forest. It was a spectacularly beautiful and awesome race. By my standards, I did well, finishing the race in 10 hours and 17 minutes, feeling strong and positive throughout, and recovering quickly afterward. For me, the goal of running is not perpetually faster splits, but the opportunity to move my body, better understand myself, and spend time in nature. 
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