I've been asked a few times, "why would you want to return to McNaughton Park a 3rd time?!" I'll be honest, my hope for this year was to run The Barkley Marathons in Tennessee. But ever since last years adventure, McNaughton has been in my head. Why did I quit last year? I could have continued on. There were a few factors into why I stopped last year, all of which are no match to the guilt and disappointment I've felt ever since. I spent quite a while last year thinking about it, going over the what ifs.. and then I saw a video and the fire was lit inside me. It's been burning ever since and after watching it.. I had to sign up and return.
The video I speak of is below. Of course it's a video of David Goggins himself which was filmed during last years race. This video will give you a pretty good idea of what it's like at McNaughton Park. Just take a look at how messy David looks as he continues his rounds of the loop. But its not only the challenge of the park that lured me back.. it was what David does at 5:09 in the video.. the jumping jacks... watch closely and listen to what he says.
Yup... you heard him. He does a few jumping jacks and said, "Who needs a pacer?" The answer... was me. Here is the story. As I was finishing and quitting at the 100 mile mark last year, David Goggins ran in right behind me and finished his 150, setting a new course record. I had just told RD Andy Weinberg that I quit when he turned to David and said, Hey.. Sherpa John needs a pacer. David responded with the Jumping jacks and the quote. And I dropped my head, turned around.. and walked away. I felt so robbed. I felt like finishing 100 miles in that muck was a great achievement.. but in the end.. I felt like the worlds biggest loser. And when I saw the video.. and every time I've seen it since.. the fire inside me burns... burns to return to the park to finish what I started.
That coupled with the fact that this is Andy Weinbergs last year directing this race, it was the site of my first 100 and you just have to love the ultra atmosphere here and I couldn't turn the chance down. So I March into McNaughton as healthy and prepared as I possibly can be, excited to be racing again and pushing myself to the limit.
For those who love to read old race reports you can check out my reports from the last two years by clicking their respective links below.
2007 - 100 Miles
2008 - 100 Miles (150 DNF)
Here is another view of the 10 Mile Loop:
Sunday, April 5, 2009
4 comments:
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I didn't find your blog until reading your report after the race last year and I've kept up ever since. Thanks for the videos of Goggins & the course -- they've really freshened my memories (especially the good ones).
ReplyDeleteI wish you better luck this year & see you at the start!
That video gets me too. I did not have David ask me "who needs a pacer" but I was just 'ahead' of him for a few loops and the camera crew kept setting up right as I was passing, so I knew that the guy with 110+ miles on his legs was right behind me. It just reminds me of what I didn't do last year. This is the year my man, it has to be!
ReplyDeleteGood luck this weekend SJ, we'll see ya out there. I'm heading down on Friday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the video enough to post it. Kelly and I had a fun time last year making it as we did 20 miles the week after McN. The intent was exactly as you indicated; To show others what the course looks like.
Brian
John,
ReplyDeleteNice post - Brian sent me a link to your blog. 100 miles last year was a big accomplishment, but I can see why you say you have unfinished business to take care of this year.
Brian and I did have fun that day (second video), luckily for me conditions were better that weekend than they were for the race. :-) I was glad to see Golf Hill in person, wow. Crazy! In the video you can tell I am still trying to earn my "trail legs" - hehe. That day made me definitely appreciate a bit more what you guys do out there for 50 - 100 - 150 miles! Amazing.
Best of luck to all of you -- John, Ed, Travis, and Brian :-). I'll be there cheering and taking pics, maybe even running a little bit, too.
- Kelly