What's Your Epic Challenge?

Sunday with Herb

What’s Your Epic Challenge?

I’m a strong believer that every year, you should have an epic challenge. That is, some event that is a stretch for you.

For me, that generally is some kind of running event.

Two years ago, I chose the Teanaway Country 100 as my last 100 miler. A very tough race with high temperatures and about 32,000 feet of elevation gain. I had no idea if I could pull it off. But I was willing to give it a go as the last 100 I would ever do.

Surprisingly, I was doing well until just before the halfway mark, I pulled a groin muscle and had to drop. Sometime things just don’t work out.

The following year, I joined a group fastpacking the PCT from Steven’s Pass to just past Glacier Peak. It was a tough 3 day slog, again hot and lots of elevation, but I survived and had a great experience.

This year, my plan was to re-run the Waldo 100K in Oregon. I had won 2nd place in my age group for the National 100K championship there in my 50’s, and I wanted to go back as a 70 year old see if I still had it.

Unfortunately, I had a heart attack in March which threw that out the door.

But in the last few weeks, I finally got my last procedure done so I was game-on for a little bit different challenge, cycling up to Hurricane Ridge.

That ride is 5,000 ft gain in 20 miles to the top, then you turn around and rip downhill to the start. It was very challenging. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it at all. I actually got turned around by the sweeper just a 1/2 mile from the summit, so as far as I was concerned, I made it!

The reason I’m telling you all this is not to brag. It’s more to show you that no matter what your age, if you have a strong endurance base, anything is possible.

You’ll never know what you really can do unless you sign up for something you’re not sure of.

Even if you’re not successful, it’s a win that you toed the line and gave it a go.

So what’s your epic challenge for this year or next year? Let me know in the comments.

-Herb