Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Toeing the line with my idols.

       As my friend Erik puts it, "trail running is like the NFL for us." It's true...only instead of constantly checking scores and stats, I read race reports, runner blogs, twitter race updates, and even joined instagram just so I could see where some of my trail running idols get to run each and every day. I'm a running nerd and I'm damn proud of it.
       When I hear names like Nikki Kimball, Dave Mackey, Sage Canaday and Krissy Moehl, I can pull up race wins, shoe and gear companies, and blog reports in the old metal filing cabinet in seconds. For the most part I know race schedules and what shoes they're running in.  I never figured I would ever see a single one of them, let alone be in the same race, but that is all coming true this June.
       Those are just a few of the elites entered in the Cayuga Trails 50 this upcoming June. I didn't know it when I registered, but it makes the race anticipation all the more exciting.  I decided to enter the race after catching the bug to up my race distance from my friend Matt.  His determination worked and I had my check in the mail shortly after registration opened.
       It seems like every week or so another elite runner adds their name to the race list, and my heart races just a little faster.  Not only will I see some of these people in person, but I will be toeing the same start line, (hopefully) crossing the same finish line, and most likely getting lapped by the same people whose blogs I read on a regular basis.
       Krissy Moehl has been an idol of mine since I first started trail running, the idea of ultras just a little seedling in my brain.  Some days when I need a kick in the ass to get out the door or feel like my life sucks, I even watch some of her youtube videos. Moehl's upbeat attitude--losing her job and throwing herself into something she loves to make it work as a living--reminds me that even when things are bad, there is good that we can make of it. I always remind myself to smile no matter how much I hurt and I can thank her for that...it works.  Now I may get the chance to meet her.  I don't know if there is anything much cooler than that.


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