Why I’m Choosing to Run a 100 Kilometer Race

Because, let’s face it, this is an odd choice

Photo by Andrea Leopardi on Unsplash

I’ve purposefully mentioned ‘choice’ in my title, because nobody but me is making me do this.

I am taking on this epic challenge this year, and I wanted to talk about the choice behind it, as I think this is what makes it interesting.

Yes, more interesting than:

• the epic training schedule
• the vast amount of food I get to eat
• the chaffing, crying and possibly hallucinating

Underneath all the surface stuff that we think of when we think about Ultra Marathon racing, is the psychology behind it.

Just what is calling to me from the deep recesses of my brain, making me want to put my body and mind through such a tough process?

Existential dread

In a nutshell, it’s this.

I am a walking, talking existential crisis. Ever since I can remember, I have been afraid of being miserable like my parents were, and of not fulfilling my potential in life.

There are so many people who are trapped in the loop of living to work, then numbing themselves into oblivion.