2005:
The Marathon
Hat Trick

Snap.

It wasn't a hearty or bone chilling snap. It was quiet... subtle... and, distinctive. Like the one of a kind twig-snap in the woods on a cold morning. Yes. Definitely. A snap.

"g" sat up in bed. At Cranium Summit, with hair a tad tizzy and ever so slightly thinning, there was no early morning fog about it. It did happened. This experience... this sensation... had happened again. Like wetness following rain... came the enlightenment, "If I organize it... they will come."

2005 had been a remarkable year for "g". He was inspired, encouraged and accompanied by the Marathonians (Long Shots, Marathon Jeannie and Fast John) to run his first-ever 26.2-er and then back-to-back marathons 4-months later. It had only been one year post cardiac stent when he ran the marathon hat trick - Potomac River Marathon (5/1/05; VA), Adirondack Distance Festival Marathon (9/25/05; NY) and Marine Corps Marathon (10/30/05; DC).

" g" had learned a few things in two years of running. For example... after 10 pairs of ASICS, long distant training runs in the harshest winters in upstate New York, an unexpected allergic reaction to Honey Stinger gels, and an over-identification with his high-tech training gear, he learned about the downside to backpacking in the High Peaks Region (NY) the weekend before a marathon.

Undaunted, "g" was again looking forward. The snap in 2006 was some sort of extension of LaBella Karma - a whimsical, unpredictable and always welcomed influence when the Boys trekked about the country. It had been percolating like a good storm. When "g" awoke abruptly with that knowing experience... he thought, "I'm going ultra!"

But, to the casual onlooker, what does going-ultra really mean? For "g", it meant running and thinking bigger! It's running distances longer then 26.2 miles. It was organizing a 12-person team to run the 2006 Reach the Beach 200 Mile Relay Race (9/15/06; NH). It included a 30-mile run - somewhere. Anywhere! It meant... snowshoe racing! And... ChiRunning? (Oh-oh.) This ultra-thing was going to terrorize his family and friends - especially the Marathonians who would become plagued with conflict as to join "g" in his running follies or simply cheer him on.

The planning had begun. The mayhem was present. "g" was on the move. Get ready as the Boys go ultra!