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Author Topic: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race  (Read 7960 times)

LandyLiam

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #15 on: June 25, 2013 »
just been reading a blog on it
http://whwrunner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/race-directors-story-2013-west-highland.html

would love to hear your story Craig, what goes through your mind to keep you going?
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twentyclicks

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #16 on: June 26, 2013 »
Quote from: LandyLiam on June 25, 2013
just been reading a blog on it
http://whwrunner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/race-directors-story-2013-west-highland.html

would love to hear your story Craig, what goes through your mind to keep you going?

You'll be sorry you asked! Here's the story (novel) of the race itself. I'll do another post about gear, reflections, etc tomorrow.

Basically there's nothing going through my mind most of the time. Questioning things and thinking ahead tends to give me anxiety... "too many mind. No mind" (Last Samurai). I just make choices related to pre-arranged goals, then keep going. After the near total breakdown, my sub-23 and sub-24 hour goals were gone. All I had left was undefined 'finish', so once I chose to start moving again at each checkpoint all there was...was not falling over. Given that that is pretty instinctual, I didn't have to think about anything. Occasionally, I had to 'think' to eat and drink, or think to look at the scenery and remember it. If pain gets worse or your condition worsens you obviously have to do something about it, but if it stays the same then you are already coping with it and can continue to do so. Of course, you can stop at any time, but as the Buddha says... desire leads to suffering... and I desired a crystal goblet for my efforts  ;)
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Craig
-----------------------
"Go thou my incense upward from this hearth,
And ask the gods to pardon this clear flame." - Thoreau

Wolf_Larson

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #17 on: June 26, 2013 »
Quote from: twentyclicks on June 26, 2013
Quote from: LandyLiam on June 25, 2013
just been reading a blog on it
http://whwrunner.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/race-directors-story-2013-west-highland.html

would love to hear your story Craig, what goes through your mind to keep you going?

You'll be sorry you asked! Here's the story (novel) of the race itself. I'll do another post about gear, reflections, etc tomorrow.

Basically there's nothing going through my mind most of the time. Questioning things and thinking ahead tends to give me anxiety... "too many mind. No mind" (Last Samurai). I just make choices related to pre-arranged goals, then keep going. After the near total breakdown, my sub-23 and sub-24 hour goals were gone. All I had left was undefined 'finish', so once I chose to start moving again at each checkpoint all there was...was not falling over. Given that that is pretty instinctual, I didn't have to think about anything. Occasionally, I had to 'think' to eat and drink, or think to look at the scenery and remember it. If pain gets worse or your condition worsens you obviously have to do something about it, but if it stays the same then you are already coping with it and can continue to do so. Of course, you can stop at any time, but as the Buddha says... desire leads to suffering... and I desired a crystal goblet for my efforts  ;)

amazing words mate !!
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clairebear

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95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #18 on: June 26, 2013 »
Fair play, gonna read the blog later over a coffee as it sounds like an epic one. 
Respect.
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MikeD

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #19 on: June 26, 2013 »
I remember as some point, post 70 miles, I said to Craig, "I'm not trying to put ideas into your head, but can you do the remaining miles?" and he said, "I've come this far I'm not giving up now". 

I witnessed the most amazing display of willpower...  it was an experience to observe it and something i'll never forget.
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phil_b

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #20 on: June 26, 2013 »
Just read your blog, outstanding effort. Respect!
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GMB

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Re: 95 Mile West Highland Way Endurance Race
« Reply #21 on: June 26, 2013 »
Well done Craig, absolutely fantastic! Time to rest now mate and appreciate what you have accomplished....................and start looking for the next challenge :-)

I'll have a read at the blog 2moz.
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