Online again

Not been here on LJ for a few days, thanks to a combination of work stresses, college project work to finish, a sick daughter - thankfully now recovered - and MIL visiting. I can’t wait to stop work for a bit, I feel snowed under right now. Plus, the last few weeks in a job are always strange, even if you’re leaving on a good note.

One good thing is that I’ve passed my college course. It all ended with a whimper rather than a bang, though. Very anticlimactic. Maybe I’ll feel a bit more like I’ve achieved something when I get the written confirmation of my pass. I could do with a good excuse to go out and get drunk.

Finally getting to see Troy tonight. Then PoA on Saturday, because the kids can’t wait any longer (it’s apparently vitally important that DS has seen it before he goes back to school on Monday, because all his mates will have seen it).

Ultrarunning

The challenge is to run 135 miles. Through Death Valley. In July. These people must be totally nuts.

I've just been reading about the Badwater Ultramarathon, almost certainly the most demanding and extreme ultra held anywhere in the world.

Totally nuts, yes, but I’m also totally in awe of them. I’m fascinated by what drives them. By what makes them both willing and able to face such a huge mental and physical challenge. What they do makes a conventional marathon (26 miles) seem like a stroll in the park.

Very interesting to note, though, that the winner for the last two years has been a woman, a 40-something mother of three, Pam Reed. And that last year 4 of the top 10 finishers were women. And that the contestants are nearly all in their 40s and 50s. So extreme ultrarunning seems to be a leveller of the sexes, and definitely not a young persons game.

So maybe I’m in my prime after all!