Life after a DNF

is actually not bad at all. I can't believe how many emails and phone calls I got on Monday from friends worrying about me getting down on myself, and was happy to report I am totally OK with the whole thing. I mean, I am bummed out, but hey, all of it is part of that stuff we do and comes with territory! Long gone days when I defined myself by how I ran in a race (after Leadville DNF in 2005 it took me a whole year to get over it and be able to talk about it and not analyze it over and over again and accept it as a gift of a lesson), and the enjoyment of just going out there to beautiful trails and hanging out with my friends, along with picking new challenges, brings me just as much, if not more, satisfaction. That is not to say I won't try and train hard one year - next year, the year after... - and give my best to racing again, but I am completely wonderfully happy with the year 2007 too. I opened for myself new angles of ultrarunning I might have not otherwise.

I have no regrets about Cascade 100. I am glad I went further than many thought I should have (and may be could have avoided much damage) because it proved that the injury wasn't in my head (or I would have questioned myself to death). I am fine with a decision to drop and not try to crawl any further because I simply couldn't and would have timed out at the couple of later aid stations and made things worse as well as my crew more tired for nothing. I am sad I didn't get to visit with Lisa's and Co at their AS and missed out on Needles section - but I'll get on it another time. Glenn had great pictures taken at various points, and I missed out on the Thorpe Mt climb for that (this is one of his shots). I am sad the idea of trying to do two 100M in a raw was stopped abruptly, but there will be many more chances to make it happen (or not). And I am definitely happy things worked out for the best and Rob got to pace Shawn - and much better development for both of their future Plain 100.

I've been walking like a duck these days. From Sunday to Tuesday the blown up quad was my main concern (I couldn't even brash my hand over it, and when our cat jumped on my laps, I was ready to kill it), but today as it became tolerable and regular soreness type of thing, it is obvious my hip joint is bad. Almost makes me happy for the drop - yet unhappy for the time I have to take off, when the weather is most gorgeous in OR. I pulled myself out of Teton 100 and was about to cancel my flight, when my lovely friends offered to come and hang out anyway. How can I ever say No to Lisa and Jay, Bob, Meghan, Georgie and Jackie and many more:) So I get to enjoy the views, help out with the race and crew for my buddies (too bad no pacing) - all of that AND to take my younger son with me and have some quality time with him! As we say, things usually work out for the best anyway.

Speaking of pacing, I had a visit with a good friend of mine yesterday and it may happen I get to do that at SD100!!! I am very psyched about it, I'll let you know about it once it's final (I mean my commitment is final, friend's decision on registering is not quite yet). I am also going to hang out at McKenzie River 50k - final race in Oregon Trail Series - and distribute more hugs at the finish line. That is for the following weekend.

As for my running season, it's on hold right now. I am taking this week off completely and will see if I am able to cross-train comes next. After that I'll figure out if I can run and what it feels like and decide on Bear 100. While smart pants in me saying Bear should be out no matter how I feel in 3 weeks, the OCD personality in me whisper - wait, don't cancel quite yet. But I'll survive either way. By Firetrails 50 in October I should be up to at least finishing the distance - that's my priority hope (want to see friends in SF, yeah).

Have fun this weekend, guys, and I'll tell you all about Teton races next week!