Never Stop Fighting

Just a few quick words from my homeboy E.E. Cummings:

"A lot of people think or believe or know they feel.

But that's thinking or believing or knowing; NOT feeling. 

Almost anybody can learn to think or believe or know, but not a single human being can be taught to feel. 

Why? 

Because whenever you think or you believe or you know, you're a lot of other people.

But the moment you feel, you're nobody-but-yourself.

To be nobody-but-yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight....and never stop fighting.

The 55th running of the NORTHEAST DELTA DENTAL Mount Washington Road Race took place this weekend.  A unique race that makes your lungs scream, your muscle burn and your heart ache right from gun.  No coasting on the downhills, no catching your breath, no weenies allowed.

And this girl believes there is NO better feeling than that of your ragged breath, your heart pounding, and your muscles moving. Moving you up, and up and up to the highest peak in the Northeast.  Learn to love the mountain, and it will love you back. And never stop fighting.

This year the women's field was littered with Olympic trials qualifiers, Mount Washington Champs, Western States 100 miler champs, and members of the US Mountain Running team. An epic battle was about to commence.

We had 2 minutes of quiet on the start line before the gun sounded. I wanted to keep the speedy Denise Sandahl in my sights for as long as I could as I knew she would be a top runner and just went an impressive 2:47 at Boston. Keep her in my sights I did but never actually closed the minute gap she inched out on me. 

As the hill climbed on and the air got thinner I demanded a few things of myself and those were: Are you pushing as hard as you can? Are you digging as deep as you possibly can?

And Never Stop Fighting.

This race hurts. And THAT is what makes it great. Psyched and honored to finish 6th FEMALE. Now just 6 days until Ironman Coeur d'Alene. Fight ON!

Photo credit: Gloria Cullen - Thanks for the cheers MOM!

I train with a sub 1:10 guy. #betterforit

My sponsor and GREAT friend Tom Raffio of DELTA DENTAL.  Brush your teeth, kids.

The Views from the race. Wow.

 

As always a HUGE thanks to my sponsors: DELTA DENTAL, MC CYCLE AND SPORT, VELOCIO, RUDY PROJECT, PBM COACHING, INFINIT NUTRITION, BEET PERFORMER, ROTOR COMPONENTS.