Across the Years 72-Hour Race

I'm screwed.  I'm stupid.  I'm in trouble.  The results of the Across the Years race lottery came out over the weekend...and I made it into the 72-hour race!  I signed up in the lottery on a whim thinking I had no chance of being selected.  I've never done the race or volunteered there (those groups get extra chances in the lottery).  I have been interested in the event for at least 5 years...just never felt up to actually registering so early.  This year, with the lottery, I figured I'd leave the decision to fate (the running gods?).  If I didn't get selected, so be it.  If I did get chosen, I guess I'd run the darn race.  Well, I got selected for the 72-hour race.  I need to make my final decision this month and then pay the full registration fee.  If not, then my spot goes to a person on the wait list.  Probably someone more deserving then me.  What to do?

Why am I in trouble?  Two main reasons.  First, I'm not sure I'm really up for a three day race.  I've run my informal "Buffalo Trace 7-Day Stage Race" for the last 2 years and will do it again this summer. I know I can get quite a few miles in over several days.  Of course, a 500m dirt loop is different than a 5-mile trail course.  Also, I tend to drop my mileage when winter comes and I'm not sure I'll have the high mileage base needed come the end of December.  The distance (time) scares me enough that I think I'd be ready for this event.  There's another issue.

The bigger concern is my wife.  I've been telling Sharon that I'm cutting back on running...especially running crazy events (like the Death Race, 7-day stage race, etc).  I think Across the Years 72-Hour race fits into the type of thing I'm supposed to be cutting back on.  Plus, it is in AZ on New Years Day.  That means significant travel costs and me being away from home during the holiday period. That's a double-whammy.  It would suck for both of us to be apart on New Years.  Maybe if I promise to only run races in Illinois next year I can get away with one more crazy event that straddles the years?  No big road trips or crazy events in 2011.  That sounds reasonable. Combine that promise with great Christmas gifts, some new furniture, and a few vacations before the end of this year...that could be the ticket.  Not to mention a couple of impromptu short vacations this month?  I better start planning an extended weekend trip to Chicago soon! 

Across the Years is a top-notch event.  They have 24, 48, and 72-hour races run concurrently.  In my wacky brain, it seems a waste not to do the 72-hour race since I have obviously been chosen by the running gods to complete this task.  It's best not to spurn the gods.  It's likely not a good idea to spurn the wife either.  For now, I'm still stupid, screwed, and in trouble.  I'll let you know how things turn out.  The deadline to confirm and pay registration fees is May 30.