Do Something You Can't Do

You see before you the face of a man satisfied in the knowledge that he has achieved something which very few people have achieved. According to statistics, only 0.5% of U.S. citizens have completed a marathon. I imagine that is a fairly global standard. So I wonder how many people have completed an ultra-marathon. That is what I did today. My goal was to run from my home in Koshien to the Akashi Bridge which is 28 kilometers away, and then run home again. I never achieved that goal but I still think I did well.

From Koshien to Sannnomiya (13.2 km) was 1:46:55. From Sannomiya to Suma (21.6 km) was 3:10:12. From Suma to Akashi Bridge (28.1 km) was 4:19:19. From Akashi Bridge to Suma (37.3 km) was 5:46:05. From Suma to Sannomiya (45.7 km) was 7:15:51. I had a bite to eat in Sannomiya, keeping the pedometer ticking over, then ran from Sannomiya to Iwaya (53 km) in 8:06:59. Iwaya is where I called it quits; I could walk alright, but running was too painful by now.

Why do I do this? I enjoy finding out the limits of my endurance and pushing myself further. The sky is not the limit. I enjoy it because this is something that no one can put down to luck, privilege or assistance from others. I did it by myself. I enjoy it because it confirms my belief in the non-existence of God. When it gets tough, He is not there to help me. I am alone. Also, I get a huge buzz from running and it keeps me healthy, both physically and mentally. Finally, I dream of one day running in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. just like my hero, Dean Karnazes.

I was going to post a photograph of Akashi Bridge, but when I got home and saw all the salt on my forehead, I thought it would make a funny blip so I asked Arthur to take this photograph of me. I think he did a good job.

I haven't given up on running this route from door to door. I think I can do it. I'm going to try again during the summer holiday. What am I saying? In the immortal words of Yoda, "Do, or do not. There is no try."