One among 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 in the dead of night, and, on account of an premature muscle imbalance, my torso folded in half like a comma from mile 80 onward, which gave folks 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 shortly and in soda type. I discovered an necessary lesson that day: In giant 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 seemed extra like a swamp creature than a woman. However I made it to the end line. I finally 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. Typically we run on paved loops for days at a time, which is conceptually easy but troublesome to execute. Different instances, there are streams and mountains to take care of, or hours spent in solitude. Typically we use maps and try races with negligible completion charges, and sometimes there are extra squirrels than spectators.
However ultrarunning is odd in an satisfying, adventuresome approach. And since these races are sometimes equal components race and journey, we’re positioned to be taught from a number of the nice adventurers of literary historical past. We are able to be taught not simply from different athletes but in addition from heroes. Listed below are three of my favorites.
Dante Alighieri
The guide: “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 via Purgatory, into Paradise. It sounds very hilly there, and the occasion ends on an enormous climb. Additionally, it’s oddly colder at decrease altitudes, and there are precise demons. However Dante proceeds via a strategy of non secular rehabilitation all through the journey and is remodeled upon completion. Marathons are a non secular 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 protected 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 are able to be taught: In case your journey can be robust (Inferno robust), at all times deliver a good friend. 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 guide has been out since oral historical past, so here’s a plot spoiler: Odysseus’ journey is stuffed with unanticipated obstacles. Possibly you may 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 varied causes!
There’s an enchantress and a trek to the underworld — a steep, mid-race descent into precise hell. And there are pure risks to take care of, like thunder, lightning, and violent situations at sea. It takes Odysseus a full 10 years to make it house, which means he most likely begins the race within the open class and finishes as a grasp.
What we are able to be taught: We are able to take many classes from Odysseus. First, don’t eat unidentified vegetation (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, but it surely doesn’t damage to have safeguards in place that will help you keep the course via moments of weak point. Third, we’d take into consideration the believable impacts that working can have on our associates and households. Our adventures are non-obligatory, in contrast to Odysseus’ trek house. However Penelope bears the entire family obligations whereas Odysseus travels. We’d take into consideration the impression of our prolonged adventures on the folks we love.
Beowulf
The guide: “Beowulf”
The journey: Beowulf’s story entails 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 finally a dragon, the latter of which offers him a deathly blow.
What we are able to be taught: Use your energy to honor the folks round you — preventing for targets which can be greater than your self. And, usually, keep away from swamps.
Extra severely, in “Beowulf,” a hero is humanized. Beowulf is ascendent in his early years. He is a superb fighter and notoriously courageous, and he’s named the king of the Geats. However, as with all adventurers, his energy wanes with age, which is a supply of vulnerability for him. This isn’t a enjoyable lesson, however from Beowulf, we be taught that every one heroes ultimately lose, irrespective of their energy.
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 are able to be taught from, and deeply respect, the misadventures and vulnerabilities of nice heroes from the previous. And maybe in studying about varied journeys via the Underworld — or being pursued by a monster and that monster’s offended mother — our misadventures appear gentle by comparability.
Name for Feedback
- Which hero’s story do you relate to in your working essentially the most?
- What hero’s classes have you ever discovered via ultrarunning?
References/Notes
1. This can be a comma joke.
