Friday, August 29, 2008

The Big Race



This post is for the non-runners, and my friends and family who have encouraged me through my years of running.

What is The Big Race?

It's the Superior Sawtooth 100.

Simply put, it is 102 miles of ass kicking trail running in Northern Minnesota. The trail is very technical. Too many roots to count. Rocks. Boulders. Rivers. Wild Moose. Bears (i hope not). It is a killer course.

To read what the race is like, check out Julie's report from last year. It's a great story of it.

When I went up to run the 50 Mile last year (it starts 22 hours after the 100), I knew the 100 was a race I had to do. So I started preparing for it back then.

It is 1 week away as I write this. Friday the 5th at 8am.

Last week I posted to the readers of this blog to send me encouraging emails, of which I will print and put in my pack I will be wearing all night. I am thankful for the emails I received. I have directed others to this site to read about this and send me encouragement.

So here is my last call out. Send me an email. Say what you like. And I will take you with me on the race. To send the email, click on "view my complete profile" the click on email.

The emails will be my crew. I will have aid station workers read me some when it gets hard.

So far, the comment which will be on the top of the list, and read to me at every aid station after mile 40, is not an email. It is a comment posted by someone who has given me a 65% chance of finishing. It will be fun hearing that comment read to me at every aid station.

Thanks to everybody for reading. Thanks for the support. Thanks for the encouragement.

Probably the last post before the race.

11 comments:

SteveQ said...

Gee, Matt, what else can I say? You'll probably be passing me somewhere around 20 miles, just like at Ice Age.

Londell said...

ok I am having a little fun at you expense... But please do not stop at 102 miles... After 102 we still have 0.6 for a total of 102.6... I have been told .6 that late in the game could seem like a long way. I hope I get to experience that so I can know for sure... I would think just the fact I am so close and excited means I could do something stupid!

keith said...

At night I hear the bears all put on Smokey Bear hats and do broadway musical numbers in the woods. I hope you get to see it!

SteveQ said...

"Rejoice in hope, persevere in struggle..." and whatever comes next in Romans 12.

Runnin-From-The-Law said...

Good Luck Matt! You've done all the hard work. Now it's time to see what you can do. Enjoy it! Can't wait to hear all the details.

Ultrathoner said...

Good luck! You WILL do it!!!

Kel said...

Good luck Matt! See you at the finish :)

Kurt said...

have a great race !!

Adam said...

See title of my blog. Repeat to yourself as often as necessary.

Karen G said...

Good Luck Matt-
well, I don't think you really need the luck part, you have what it takes to finish!!!
karen

Travis said...

Best of luck at Superior! If everything stays on track, I'm planning on hitting that one next year. Say Hi to Julie Berg and Jerry Frost if you run across them. Don't forget to take in some great views!