Lake Mingo DNS

The Lake Mingo Fat Ass (28+ mile fun run with the Kennekuk Road Runners) is going on right now...and I'm at the computer feeling like crap. I came down with the flu yesterday. I thought this day might come soon...almost everyone at work has had some kind of serious cold/flu in the last 2 weeks. My number was up. I rarely get sick, but now this is 2 illnesses in 2 months (I was sick in mid-December after the McNaughton Park Fat Ass). I'll try to rest and recover by next weekend so I can do the "Yours Truly" 50K on a local trail on February 22.

While it sucks to be sick, it does give me an appreciation for my health. Lots of folks can't run 1 mile, much less a 50K on a whim. My constitution is pretty strong. It's been chipped away lately by extra stress at work. We have a big project that is under scrutiny and with the economic woes of the nation, state, and university, people are anxious. I'm confident everything will turn out OK at work, but I do still worry. We have good people in our office and I don't want to see any of them laid off due to budget issues. Plus, I have continual worries about directing the Clinton Lake 30-Mile Trail Run. Even with the support of the club and friends, it's still stressful hosting an ultra event. I always thought it would be cool to say "I've directed this race for 20 years," now I think three years is a good string! I'll see how things go on March 28th. Hopefully the energy and enthusiasm of the runners and volunteers will get me to commit to another year as race director...and another year after that...on to that 20 year goal! Maybe not.

Back to my post topic...I have a "Did Not Start" next to this year's Lake Mingo Fat Ass. That's the way it will report on this blog under my "2009 Races" (left side of blog page). Last year was a"DNF." Which is better or worse? At least last year I started and made the decision to stop after one terrible loop in the cold and snow. This year the choice was made by my body---I'm in no shape to run around the block. The Mingo trail would put me in the hospital! I'll be back at Lake Mingo next year. For everyone training for Clinton Lake, or other ultras, keep things in perspective and train intelligently. It's just running and just another race. Keep your health in the foreground.