Ultra Races Finding Supportive People in an Unsupportive World

I was once again finishing another of my 3.25 mile trail loop runs on my 24 Hour Endurance Ultra when Elise was finishing her last loop and calling it a day.  She had achieved her goal and had other brutal races coming up so she was saving her body for them. A smart move.  As I continued on she yelled out to Lou the race director “Ray is crushing this course!”  Lou responded “Keep going Ray!” I smiled and made a wise remark that I can’t remember. If a total stranger had observed our banter, they would have assumed that we were three old friends meeting up for our one, of many races. They would be wrong.  I knew Elise less than 24 hours and this was the second time that I had met Lou. 

That is the magic of running races particularly ultra-trail races. It is a place in which trust, support, and friendships are built almost instantaneously.  A place in which everyone is striving to improve and push themselves. A place in which you feel pain, misery, happiness, and pride all at the same time. A place in which everyone is cheering and supportive of each other. A place that stands out in this ever increasingly divided and politically polarized world. Because it is a place of solidarity and unity.

An ultra-trail race may be the most egalitarian place I know.  You are judged in very simple terms. By your running ability and your positive attitude.  All the runners know the elite runners and marvel at their ability to run not just extremely long distances but at a fast pace.  Yet even us mediocre runners get praise because we are pushing our bodies and our minds to it limits and everyone knows it. It is an unwritten rule as well, that everyone is encouraging to each other. As I run and an elite runner is either lapping me or on their way back from a loop that I am just starting, they almost always say “looking strong” to me even though I am racing like a Kia to their Jaguar. Cheerfulness is always valued as we all push ourselves.

The other thing that is amazing is that I have no idea of anyone’s socio-economic status as we run.  Our running gear camouflages our social status.  I don’t know if someone is a wealthy doctor, lawyer or someone who struggling to make their rent payment. It is so nice that people are not judged by where they live or how much money they make but on their ability and their friendly personality.

I can’t think of a truer reflection of the American ethos than the ultra-race scene.  You are strictly judged on your ability, your effort, and your positive attitude towards others. That’s it. Not on who you vote for. Not how wealthy you are. Not on your race or religion. It is truly a community and that includes the race directors and the volunteers.

Okay I will admit that most of us are a little quirky and our family and friends will attest to that.  After all who else but a slightly quirky person pays to run for 24 hours?

(A shared fire at a race)

On most of my ultra-trail races I have made not only friends but having a shared experience of getting through a struggle with someone. In my first ultra a 50 mile run two woman Denise and Jen joined me and we survived the ordeal together. In a 50k my new friend Fletch and I made it to the end despite his muscles seizing up. In another 50k Scott and I battled for a mile or two bringing out the best in each other. In my 100 mile run Ilene moved on her crutches inspiring me to push myself while Celeste persevered through digestive issues to finish with a personal long.  Besides Elise on this 24 Hour Race Felipe and Dave were two runners who I saw often and we all pushed each other.  All these people and more, inspired me to push on and I hope that in some way I returned that favor.

Elise and I ran only one of our loops together and as we chatted, she told me why she ran ultras and asked why I did.  I mentioned how I love to push myself to its limits and how great it feels to finish one.  How when you finish one you feel that you can do anything. Yet I knew my answers were missing something.

I don’t know if Elise will read this but now I know the rest of the answer. I forgot to tell her that I love the people at an ultra-trail race.  I love meeting people like her and all the others I mentioned, plus many others. It is inspiring to be around people pushing themselves to their limits.  Okay maybe we are a little quirky but that endears them even more to me. I know that this sounds corny but I know that on some of these races when things got very difficult I know that if something bad happened I could truly count on my running colleagues (That once again includes the race directors and race volunteers.) to keep me going.

Now I know that this sounds even cornier but to me it is truly an honor to run an ultra with these other runners.  They are people who are giving it their all even if they fall short, people who are nonjudgmental, people who are tough, and people who are inspiring. I am truly a better person for having met all these people.

When I got back from my race and told my wife about my experiences. She said it sounds like you enjoyed my time with “your people”.  Yes that is one more reason I do trail races, to be with “my people”. My wife meant it more to make fun of me and all the other quirky runners. Yet to me it is a badge of honor to be with these quirky people. Because in a world where everyone seems ready to pounce on you for anything it is good to go to a place where everyone is ready to pounce on you with a smile and positive support. They are my kind of people.