Hi all,
I am curious the extent to which folk can balance both trail running and climbing and / or people's thought processes in choosing one pursuit instead of the other. For a few years, I tried to do both. Recently though, I realized that I did not have enough time to be both a competent climber and a competent ultra runner. For now, I'm concentrating on the running. Although I love, miss and hope to return to climbing, I find ultra running refreshing for now in that ultra running:
1) requires minimal gear (shoes, shorts, water)
2) provides non-stop interaction with nature--no waiting at belays
3) does not entail markedly heightened risks if done solo
4) rarely if ever is crowded -- the 40 to 100+ miles discourage the gym warrior
5) has little spray -- it's not unusual for race winners to hang around the finish for hours to greet back of the packers as they cross the line
6) has endless FA potential
7) lets you get dirty.... really dirty
8) gets your heart racing, but not in that, "O &*#$, if I fall, I'm dead" kind of way
9) can be done year round.... it actually is often better when it's below freezing
10) absolutely shreds every muscle in your body -- which, of course, makes the beer taste all the better
In an ideal world, we wouldn't have to choose... but then, it's not all that bad of a world if this is one of the choices we have to make.
--E
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