Theoretically Speaking...

Theoretically, any reasonably fit person could run 100 miles, but he or she must train for it.

"... Perhaps the genius of ultra running is its supreme lack of utility. It makes no sense in a world of space ships and supercomputers to run vast distances on foot. There is no money in it and no fame, frequently not even the approval of peers. But as poets, apostles and philosophers have insisted from the dawn of time, there is more to life than logic and common sense. The ultra runners know this instinctively. And they know something else that is lost on the sedentary. They understand, perhaps better than anyone that the doors to the spirit will swing open with physical effort. In running such long and taxing distances they answer a call from the deepest realms of their being -- a call that asks who they are ..."

David BlaikieOwner/Operator of http://www.ultramarathonworld.com/

Today, 8 months from now, I am committed to running the Umstead 100 on April 5, 2008... In the world of 100 mile ultra runs, the Umstead is course suited for novices... for someone who has never run 100 miles, it is a challenge beyond the imagination. Certainly, I will put into perspective the act of completing a 100 mile event, as grueling and demanding at it is, some people's lives are far more painstaking than trying to complete 100 miles in 24 hours.

I will try to make daily entries here so that anyone who is interested can follow my trek, the ups and downs, perseverance, thoughts, training, anecdotes, etc. that got me to the finish line.

Today was an easy 4 miler tapering for the Turkey Swamp 50K this coming weekend. I have a solid base and will expand that base throughout the fall and winter. I also need to drop 10-15 pounds...