One in all my worst races was the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile in 2017. That day, I paced myself imprudently. My headlamp died, so the darkness I skilled was each literal and metaphorical. I tumbled off a few footbridges at the hours of darkness, and, resulting from an premature muscle imbalance, my torso folded in half like a comma from mile 80 onward, which gave individuals pause (1).
I chased aggressive splits early in that race and fell behind in fueling. Upon realizing my error, I attempted to make up for the deficit — too rapidly and in soda kind. I realized an vital lesson that day: In massive portions, Mountain Dew is a Mountain Don’t.
Finally, after I emerged from the darkish forest cloaked in mud after 100 miles of working, I appeared extra like a swamp creature than a lady. However I made it to the end line. I in the end survived, so the style of this reminiscence is a tragicomedy.
Sabrina Little finishes her hero’s journey … and the Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile. All pictures courtesy of Sabrina Little.
Operating Heroes
If we’re being trustworthy with ourselves, our sport is odd. Generally we run on paved loops for days at a time, which is conceptually easy but troublesome to execute. Different occasions, there are streams and mountains to cope with, or hours spent in solitude. Generally we use maps and try races with negligible completion charges, and infrequently there are extra squirrels than spectators.
However ultrarunning is odd in an fulfilling, adventuresome means. And since these races are sometimes equal components race and journey, we’re positioned to study from a few of the nice adventurers of literary historical past. We will study not simply from different athletes but in addition from heroes. Listed below are three of my favorites.
Dante Alighieri
The e-book: “The Divine Comedy”
The journey: In what can solely be described as a hellish cross-country course, Dante descends to the Underworld earlier than ascending by way of Purgatory, into Paradise. It sounds very hilly there, and the occasion ends on a giant climb. Additionally, it’s oddly colder at decrease altitudes, and there are precise demons. However Dante proceeds by way of a means of religious rehabilitation all through the journey and is remodeled upon completion. Marathons are a religious journey certainly.
On the outset of the journey, Dante is misplaced in a darkish wooden and sees three animals — a leopard, a lion, and a she-wolf. Wild animal encounters occur to all of us. Be secure on the market, associates! Nevertheless, this specific mixture of beasts is startling, and I’m wondering what sort of flora helps that fauna.
What we will study: In case your journey can be robust (Inferno robust), at all times deliver a pal. Ideally deliver Virgil, who reads the course map forward of time and appears to know the place he’s going.
Odysseus
The books: Homer’s “Iliad” and Odyssey”
The journey: After serving to the Greeks win the Trojan Battle, Odysseus units sail for house, to Ithaca. This e-book has been out since oral historical past, so here’s a plot spoiler: Odysseus’ journey is stuffed with unanticipated obstacles. Possibly you’ll be able to relate.
Odysseus loses a lot of his legion on the island of Cicones, then once more within the land of the Lotus-Eaters, and he finds himself trapped in a cave lair of Polyphemus the Cyclops. Of us, keep away from mid-run cave naps, for numerous causes!
There may be an enchantress and a trek to the underworld — a steep, mid-race descent into precise hell. And there are pure risks to cope with, like thunder, lightning, and violent situations at sea. It takes Odysseus a full 10 years to make it house, that means he most likely begins the race within the open class and finishes as a grasp.
What we will study: We will take many classes from Odysseus. First, don’t eat unidentified crops (particularly lotus) in your journey. Second, know your self. Odysseus is aware of he can be turned apart by the Sirens, so he tethers himself to the mast of his ship to remain the course. I’m not suggesting you employ twine to decide to your objectives, however it doesn’t harm to have safeguards in place that can assist you keep the course by way of moments of weak spot. Third, we would take into consideration the believable impacts that working can have on our associates and households. Our adventures are elective, in contrast to Odysseus’ trek house. However Penelope bears the entire family obligations whereas Odysseus travels. We would take into consideration the influence of our prolonged adventures on the individuals we love.
Beowulf
The e-book: “Beowulf”
The journey: Beowulf’s story includes extra aggression than the common ultra-adventure story. Beowulf travels from his house in Geatland to Heorot, to assist King Hrothgar’s males defeat a monster named Grendel. His mission is profitable! However there are different battles to struggle — first Grendel’s mother and in the end a dragon, the latter of which offers him a deathly blow.
What we will study: Use your power to honor the individuals round you — combating for goals which are larger than your self. And, on the whole, keep away from swamps.
Extra severely, in “Beowulf,” a hero is humanized. Beowulf is ascendent in his early years. He is a good fighter and notoriously courageous, and he’s named the king of the Geats. However, as with all adventurers, his power wanes with age, which is a supply of vulnerability for him. This isn’t a enjoyable lesson, however from Beowulf, we study that every one heroes finally lose, regardless of their power.
Sabrina Little rising from the tragicomedy of her Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile.
Last Ideas
Ultrarunning is an odd sport, in that it straddles each competitors and journey. However this makes most of the nice hero tales instructive and relatable.
We will study from, and deeply admire, the misadventures and vulnerabilities of nice heroes from the previous. And maybe in studying about numerous journeys by way of the Underworld — or being pursued by a monster and that monster’s offended mother — our misadventures appear delicate by comparability.
Name for Feedback
- Which hero’s story do you relate to in your working probably the most?
- What hero’s classes have you ever realized by way of ultrarunning?
References/Notes
1. It is a comma joke.
