Respect For Shackelton

January 10th, 2010 Posted in Story

I “ran” - a better description is trudged - the annual G.A.C. FatAss 50K yesterday in Topsfield, MA.  A 10K loop course that runs through scenic and serene Bradley-Palmer State Park, this edition was more challenging than most due to the brisk temperatures (ranging 7 to 20 degrees) and very tricky footing.  There was about 3-4 inches of snow on the ground which was shallow enough to run on but deep enough whereby the microspikes on my running shoes were unable to gain any traction, thus leading to a two steps forward and one slip step back motion throughout the day.  The course got pretty rutty by the second loop from all the runners and increasing softness of the snow which made it very challenging to secure a firm foot plant and maintain forward progress.  Indeed, muscles were worked in places where I didn’t know they existed!   A fine New England early-season workout for sure. Thanks to Chris “C2″ Shanley and Doug “Bulldog” Caverly for running three loops with me - the company made the miles go by much quicker.  C2 was looking like his comeback in preparation for a 3:30 Boston qualifier was right on track.  And Bulldog, a nickname Doug earned this weekend for his intrepid nature as a neophyte to TARC, cranked out the miles in the tough conditions like a true Trail Animal.

The difficulty in movement made me think of Sir Ernest Shackelford, the regaled  Antarctic explorer who in 1916 performed one of the most astounding rescues of his ship’s crew ever reported.  During one portion of his rescue, he trekked across a mountainous glacier for 36 hours, encountering deep snow, blinding solar glare and frigid temperatures.  I experiences only a tiny sliver of what he surely endured yet, found it exhausting.  I can only imagine how mentally disciplined he must have been to remain focused on his goal and sustain unimaginable amount of pain and suffering.  If you haven’t read one of the two or three excellent novels about Shackelford andhis ship, the Endurance, I’d highly recommend them.

So it’s onward and upward towards Western States 2010.  167 days and counting…..I’ll be keeping Sir Ernest in mind this year to gain perspective during those troughs of training and during the event itself.  A reminder that what we are capable of enduring is all relative…..and in the mind.