I run because I am a persistence hunter...

One step fades into another. How many miles I have covered is anyone's guess. This trail feels like a labyrinth.

Where it began and where it ends is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum. Every twist and turn leads me to yet another stretch that feels like a dead end. I feel the Minotaur breathing down my neck.

The fog is thick and suffocating. This doesn't help as my peripheral vision begins to fade, the latest victim of the stifling fatigue of countless miles. But, ignorance is bliss.

Not seeing what lies ahead is a gift. Yet another mile, yet another hill, and yet another death blow undoubtedly lies ahead. Leaden and lethargic, I take another step and another breath.

Overhead I see them circling. In the fog and haze of fatigue, they look like vultures. Impatient, they wait for my imminent collapse, my imminent failure, and ultimate demise.

They are just hawks. This bird of prey isn't seeking me. But, they remind me how close I am to the edge.

The tank has been empty for some time. The wheels barely turn over. It's become a game of inches.

If only I had inches to go. But, such is not my luck. There are too many inches in a mile to count and an inch already feels like a mile.

While hunger has not completely seized me yet, it makes its presence known. The desperate cry for fuel becomes louder with each step. It lurks in a dark corner impatiently waiting for the wheels to stop.

Blind instinct carries me forward yet another inch. The wind carries a scent that is vaguely familiar. It is a scent that suggests there is some faint hope of me finishing this. It is a scent that reminds me of home.

The fog begins to fade. The trail begins to end. The hunt is nearly over. My prey is close.

I segue into a walk that is more of a stagger. The closeted hunger takes over. The wait is over.

Coated with salt, caked in mud, and drenched in sweat, I labor through a few more slow steps. I lean over, close my eyes, and exhale.

My number is called and I slowly lift my head. Before me is that which will quiet the hunger. It will satiate. It will bring me back from the dead.

My prey has finally succumbed. It lies before me. It is a potent melange of grilled beef, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon.

It is the finest meal I have ever had.

I run because I am a persistence hunter...

I run because of Pre...

-->

His home was little more than a bus. Running was his religion. Racing was an opportunity to see who had the most guts.

He was brash. He was brazen. He was Pre.

Every American record from 2,000-10,000 was his for a period of time. Bold frontrunning was his style. Win or lose, he'd make you bleed.

He was bold. He blazed his own trails. He was Pre.

Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain are but a couple of iconoclasts he's been compared to. Races were a work of art for him. Something beautiful happened when he ran.

He was fearless. He was tenacious. He was Pre.

Giving anything less than your best was unacceptable. Doing so was compromising the gift. His gift was staggering.

He was a force of nature. He was the kraken unleashed. He was Pre.

His poker face was non-existent. Fatigue and pain were never masked. His heart was always on his sleeve.

He was fierce. He was passionate. He was Pre.

They say the star that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast. 24 years was as long as he burned. While his reign was far too short, it was blindingly bright.

He was the unleashing of hell. He was the perfect storm. He was Pre.

Or at least, this is my impression of who Prefontaine was. I never had the good fortune to meet him. I imagine at least some of this captures the essence of Pre.

I will never own the records Pre did. I will never inspire as many people as Pre did. But, my passion for running rivals Pre's and what he accomplished in less than quarter of a century helps keep the fire lit. 

I run because of Pre.

 
 

I run because I am an outsider...

I don't remember feeling terribly comfortable in my own skin when I was a kid. For reasons I didn't ever really understand, I always felt a bit out of place. I always felt different.

I often retreated to the comfort of books. Fantastic worlds crafted by J.R.R. Tolkien and Lloyd Alexander provided an escape to a place where being different was often celebrated. It was those who were different who made a difference.

Around the same time, I watched lots of movies on the big and small screen. I found myself connecting with outsiders like Mad Max from 'The Road Warrior'. I rooted for underdogs like Charlie Bucket from 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'.

While I went to school, participated in soccer, and wasn't a complete misanthrope, I generally felt least comfortable in the company of my peers. It wasn't them, it was me. I didn't think anyone could understand me. I could barely understand myself.

Middle school gave way to high school and while the setting changed, I didn't change much. I felt like an outsider. I had no real connection to any cliques or social groups. My skin felt no less comfortable.

I would eventually grow weary of soccer and fate thrust running onto me. I found myself on the cross country team and began to realize perhaps I was in the company of fellow outsiders.

Running was not a sport many understood. I encountered many who thought it was silly. I encountered some who thought it was not a sport.

As someone who often felt like an outsider, it seemed I had found my calling. I relished the fact that not many seemed to understand running. I felt misunderstood, so it only seemed appropriate that I engage in a sport many didn't understand.

I ran faster and longer, embracing my outsider status. Naysayers could mock me all they wanted. They had no idea what it took to run a 5K in under eighteen minutes. They could never understand what it took to run ten miles.

As I came to know running, I came to know myself. I learned I could go farther than most. I learned I could go faster than most. If being an outsider meant I was faster and could go farther than most, I could live with it.

I came to relish the fact that my runs were mine and mine alone. I didn't have to share them with anyone and there weren't many who could do them with me even if they wanted to. Those who couldn't appreciate what I was doing were on the outside.

While I am markedly more comfortable in my own skin today, I still identify as an outsider. But, it's a title I wear proudly. It means walking (or running) to the beat of a different drum. Being an outsider means taking paths and trails others wouldn't consider.

Outsiders go places others won't. I run because I am an outsider...

I run because I am haunted....

They say you should live in the now. Forget the past. You can't change it. It's best to let it go.

I try to leave the past behind. I'm sure most people do. But, just because your past is behind you doesn't mean it's dead and buried.

Some nights the past comes back to haunt you. Maybe it's in a dream. Maybe it's something other than a dream.

It's often said houses are haunted because the previous inhabitants of said house died in some violent or tragic way. The spirits of the dead hang around because there's unfinished business.

Or perhaps the spirits that remain are just confused. Maybe they don't know they're dead.

Tragedy is a part of life in big and small ways. I like to think time heals 'most' wounds and tragedies. But, sometimes the wind blows the right way and you feel a twinge. You feel an ache.

You feel echoes from the past. Ghosts coming back to remind you that there's unfinished business. Maybe it's business that will never be finished.

Sometimes these ghosts castigate you. They chastise you for doing something you shouldn't have done. They browbeat you for something you should have said, but didn't.

It isn't always the case that they're trying to torment you. Maybe the intent is to make sure you don't make the mistake again. Maybe the intent is to help you avoid future tragedy.

In the movies, you often get rid of ghosts by taking care of the unfinished business or righting whatever wrong was committed. Things are rectified.

In real life, we never really get closure. You never really walk away with all the answers. Ghosts linger and haunt.

I've long since given up on getting rid of mine entirely. They come and they go. But, as far as hauntings go, mine isn't so bad and it's not as bad as it once was.

When the ghosts become too much to bear, I do what the frightened often do in the movies, I run away. I have no illusions this is a permanent solution. It's a stopgap measure.

But, running is an act that is profoundly present. There is no question of where I am when I run. I am in the moment. The past is behind me and has no bearing on where I am going.

While ghosts may be real just as my past may be real, it is the present that ultimately matters most. What matters most is what's directly in front of me.

In the end, there are no permanent solutions to a haunting. Ghosts come and go. When the bumps in the night become too much to bear, I run. I run because I am haunted.....

I run because I have nothing to write about...

It stares at me menacingly...daring me to take a step forward. It is steep, it is long, and seemingly unending.

It can't be reasoned with. It can't be bargained with. It absolutely will not stop.

I try to put on a brave face and move forward. A stout headwind immediately slows my progress. I look skyward for help. There is none to be had.

I look down and see my feet laboring, slogging, and generally disappointing. My body reeks of fatigue. Slow death breathes down my neck..

My mind aches with the voices that serve no purpose but to undermine, unravel, and derail. I tell them to fuck off, but they know I am all bark and no bite today.

My progress has devolved to glacial flailing. The body and mind conspire against me. It's a perfect storm of capitulation. I take a few more slow, painful steps, nevertheless.

That is all I can muster. It's ugly. It's short. It's contrived. But, I pulled it off.

I managed to sully half a page with a few words, a few half baked thoughts, and numerous flaws. But, I still did something.

I set it aside. I can't be Hemingway every day. In fact, I will never be Hemingway. I need a change of scenery.

The door opens and the path goes on for as long as I need it to. Inspiration might be a few miles or a few hours away. I will find it one way or the other.

I run because I have nothing to write about.

Epic Run Lowdown...

We're looking forward to seeing you on Sunday @ 9:30AM for an EPIC Summer Run of 3ish or 7ish miles launching from A Runner's Mind @ 3575 Sacramento Street!

Please read all of the below for an optimal experience tomorrow!

Epic Raffle Prizes up for grabs on Sunday! To be eligible, one must be officially registered by 3PM ON SATURDAY!

While all of the Newton Running Socks have been claimed, ALL parties officially registered for the run have a shot at winning one of the following EPIC raffle prizes...
-A sweet Newton prize pack.
-Free entry into Halloween 13.1 training program launching on 8/16 ($150 value)
-Free entry to The Honey Badger Half/10K/5K on Sat, 10/25 ($75 value)
-$50 in A Runner's Mind gift certificates planted in TWO SILVER SHOES ALONG THE COURSE!
-A free entry to the 9/14 City Beer Run!
-A free month at Studiomix!
-A case of Zico Coconut Water and more..
Even if you don't manage to score one of the aforementioned raffle prizes, EVERYONE is a winner as we'll have RED HOOK BEER, Zico Coconut Water, EPIC BAR products, Brownie Brittle, free technical shirts, and other snacks/refreshments for everyone upon completion of the Epic Run!
All raffle prizes and socks will be distributed FOLLOWING THE RUN AT A RUNNER'S MIND.
If you know anyone who STILL hasn't signed up, encourage them to do so before 3PM ON SATURDAY. Anyone who signs up AFTER 3PM SATURDAY will not be eligible for any of the raffle prizes!

Two Silver Shoes on the Epic Run Course!

Somewhere along the course, there are TWO silver shoes! If you find one of them and bring them back to A Runner's Mind, you'll get a $25 A Runner's Mind Gift Certificate!

Here are two photos to give you some idea of where they might be located...

There's a silver shoe about .6 miles in and not too far from the following...



There's a second silver shoe about 2.6 miles in and not too far from this view...



Schedule for Sunday's Epic Summer Run..

-9:15AM-Arrive at A Runner's Mind & test drive some Newton kicks! We'd encourage you to arrive a bit early to check out some of Newton's latest kicks to 'test drive' for your epic run.
-9:30AM-Epic Run Directions & Announcements! I will provide some direction around Sunday's run(s) and make a few announcements before we head out.
-9:30AM-10:45AM (approx)-GET EPIC! Whether you're doing the 3ish mile course or the 6ish mile course, you'll see some EPIC stuff along the way, tackle some hills, trails, and more! GET EPIC!
-10:45AM-12:00PM (approx)-PARTY! Claim your Newton Socks (if you're on the list of first 40 who registered), stick around and refuel, rehydrate, score an EPIC raffle prize, and party with your fellow runners!

Course Maps/Descriptions/Cheat Sheets

We will be marking the courses THOROUGHLY with chalk on paved portions and flour on trail portions. This being said, PLEASE take a look at the course maps/descriptions below.
Additionally, you may want to download and print the cheat sheet to take with you on the run.

Epic Summer Run 3ish Course Map & Description
Epic Summer Run 3ish Cheat Sheet
Epic Summer Run 6ish Course Map & Description
Epic Summer Run 6ish Cheat Sheet

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Cheers,

-Marathon Matt

Epic Run #2 (6ish Miles) Cheat Sheet

Here's a description of said course...

Follow chalk markings indicating 'E' with arrows on paved roads. Follow flour arrows on trail segments.

-Launch from Mountain Lake Park.

-Turn RIGHT once you crest the hill (.35 miles approx).

-Follow paved path uphill towards Presidio Golf Course. (.65 miles approx)

-Run through Golf Course via path until you run into Washington(.7 miles approx)

-Cross Washington and head towards Amatury Loop.

-Take a LEFT on Bay Area Ridge Trail at Amatury Loop.

-Cross Park Blvd on Bay Area Ridge Trail. (.78 miles approx)

-At Rob Hill Campground follow Access Road to Washington Blvd.(1.25 miles approx)

-Follow Trail Left on Washington Blvd. Turn left at crosswalk to Immigrant Point Overlook.

-At Immigrant Point Overlook take steps down to Lincoln Blvd/Battery to Bluffs Trail (1.6 miles approx)

-Cross Lincoln Blvd. Join Battery to Bluffs Trail and follow trail

-Continue onto California Coastal Trail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. (2.6 miles approx)

-Re-Join Battery East Trail (paved pedestrian path).

-Follow paved path to intersection of Lincoln/Long Ave. Look for stop signs.

-Continue on paved path through intersection to Crissy Field Overlook. Look for the 'E' with an arrow directing you to turnaround! (3.17 miles approx)