Going for 200, Again

I had a dream…

Three nights in a row this past week, I had a version of the same dream in which I end up dying in the fall of 2024. Morbid.

I don’t put much value in the dreams we have when we sleep – I know the science behind them, our dreams are gibberish at best. And, in this same dream, it kept having me getting married in the spring of 2024, which is rather unlikely for a guy whose not had a women agree to even a coffee date in…well…it’s been a while people! But…the dream did push me to make a decision.

I failed in my attempt to complete the 5 Lakes 200 Mile Ultra. I made it to mile 100, with some bonus miles in there. For those that did not see my social media posts on how it went, essentially the course was non stop up and down, with long portions of trail that was not runable, and 88 degrees, and rain, and…my best wasn’t good enough.

I have a 200 in me. I’ve run more than that distance twice before, but never in an actual race, and never in my 40’s. But, I have it in me, and I have the ability to put up a respectable, competitive time. So, I went looking for a 200 miler that was a bit more flat, and not right in the middle of summer.

I found the Cowboy 200.

The Cowboy 200 is almost entirely flat, and on one single 200 mile trail. Very few terms. No navigation. Just look forward and go for 200 miles. It is in mid September, so the daytime shouldn’t be too hot, nor the nighttime too cold. Its is also very well organized with great aid stations. It seemed the obvious choice for a 200 mile attempt in 2024.

But…2024, September 2024, it is so far away….

What about doing it this year? 4 weeks from now? I had to ask myself a question and be honest with myself: was the course of 5 lakers, and the elements, the only reason I did not finish? Did I have 200 miles in me?

The answer is yes. Had it been a course with less elevation gain, or slightly cooler temperatures, or no rain, I probably make it to mile 200.

So, I could run 200 miles now. Man, that is tempting.

I also have a friend that can come and crew me. I have the flexibility with work right now to be able to run this in September, and though perhaps a bit of a budget stretch, I have the financial means to do it. And, perhaps most notably, though I may be in much better shape come 2024, I am in decent shape now, and I am healthy. Plus, I have to admit, I have been depressed this past week from not having gone 200 miles – it is eating me up inside.

Back to my dream…

I don’t know what my life will be like in September 2024. Will I be healthy? Will I be motivated? Will I have the work flexibility? Heck, will I even have a job or the financial ability to pay for the race and all the gear I need and a week traveling to and from Nebraska?

September 2024 is not promised.

I signed up. I took the leap, toss my chips in the middle of the table, and I am going to run the Cowboy 200 Mile Ultra September 15th.

Lets go!