o my blog has not been all that I hoped it would be.
I have 1 anonymous follower and my blogging has become a bit stale. I fear I have not even lived up to the title I have given it. “Elwell’s Running Adventures”. I had a few adventures. More setbacks though. After my most recent exploit: “Running for WILD”, in which I ran 105 miles through the DFW area in 30:01, I was terribly burned out on running. I followed this run up with a 25 mile pace run with my brother Jacob. He did a similar solo effort but went 160 miles. I think I over trained for my 105 miler. It was essentially like working a second job for 3 months. Then the day came and went and I questioned myself why I would want to do something like that ever again. Then 3 weeks later my younger brother does over 50 miles further. Then I had to ask myself “Does it ever end?” “Do we just keep running further and further?” “How much can my body AND MIND take of this?” My answer was, and still, is I just don’t know. Since September I haven’t completely quit running. I was still doing 5-10 miles a week with my dogs. I still maintain www.crazyaboutultras.com. I still pay close attention the upcoming races. I did however use my time to lift weights and get into a bit of mountain biking. I built up a decent 4x4 vehicle and took it off road a few times.
So I imagine you know where this is going.
I am really gaining a sense of adventure. Some one on expeditionportal.com called it “wanderlust”. That sums it up perfectly. I have been lusting to simply disappear into some deep forest land and truly enjoy nature. I have researched trails and forest all over the US. I know more 4x4 trails, mountain biking trails, assumed routes, and paths, but I have yet to actually ride them or drive them. I have a deep desire to throw caution to the wind and get rid of everything I own and simply hit the road.
Fortunately, for my loved ones, I have been working on a reasonable solution. I will keep my job. As miserable as it makes me sometimes, it still pays fairly well. That and I’m on my second semester of college. YES! After 10 years I have gone back to school.
But I still have that wanderlust to soothe.
My plans are to use my days off, my vacations, any free time I can russle up and start overlanding.
Overlanding: the self-reliant over land travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principle goal.
I will finish my vehicle and make it an adequate overland vehicle. It will be capable of sustaining myself, another person, and 2 dogs comfortably for up to a week or 2 at a time. Coupled with this, I will tote mountain bikes and running gear.
Did I forget to mention I am running again? I have signed up for the cowtown 50k. I am back to training. This time around I promise not to take it so serious it feels like a job. My goal is 4:30 finish time, or a top ten finish. There are a few other races that have captured my enthusiasm again. For now I will be sticking to 50k/50milers and working on building up a decent speed. I’ll leave the long 100/150/200miles to my younger brothers! I enjoy sleeping through the night….not running (or sleep running as we call it).
Back to overlanding…I want to travel to remote locations, backwoods, back country and wilderness areas. Some place that isn't a campground. Some place that isn't a massive tourist location. Somewhere that will require 4wheel drive to get to. I can setup a primitive camp site, i.e. tent only, and enjoy nature. Then, with my free time, I intend to explore further via mountain bike. If I don’t feel like mountain biking then I will run. If I don’t feel like running, I will hike. And if I don’t feel like doing anything at all….then I won’t.
Now I know this all sounds wonderful, but I have one weekend off every 3 weeks, and 2 weeks of vacation a year. Not necessarily the kind of time to do the exploring and traveling I have in mind. Especially seeing that Texas is only 3% public land and therefore I would be traveling quite awhile just to find some backcountry/wilderness to enjoy. To soothe my soul while I am unable to travel I will stay close to home. I have discovered tons of hiking/biking trails in the DFW area and Texas, as a mater of fact.
So in my days off or my free time I will run as many of these as I can. I will bike the rest! My training partner (who dislikes running) will be content to ride alongside me while I run. If the trails allow it, the dogs can come too. Hopefully this will account for majority of my training and the dogs training!
Other sports that are becoming very intriguing are rock climbing, kayaking, and canoing.
Eventually I will have my degree. I will have a job that allows me the freedom to do what I want when I want. Maybe a few trips and this will be out of my system. May a few trips and I will be moving to the mountains. I don’t know. Maybe next year I will have a strong desire to move up with my company and make lots of money. All that I know is that for now I have what some call “wanderlust” and I must get away.
Sorry for the lengthy post! If anyone reads this….lol….I do intend to keep at it! I do intend to give trip reports! I do intend to take a kazillion pictures too!
And if anyone in the areas in down to tag along let me know. I have plans on becoming a NTTR member (north Texas trail runners www.nttr.org). I also want to find a 4x4 club, or maybe meet up with some other Ford Bronco owners.
2011 races I am looking forward to:
Cowtown Ultra (50k)--February 26th
Nuesces 50 mile in Rocksprings TX--March 5th
Leadville SilverRush 50 mile mountain bike—July(Saturday)
Leadville SilverRush 50 miles trail run---------July(Sunday)
Happy adventuring,
Jeremy
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