Here’s an abridged list of dumb things I’ve thought or said over the years. I’ll spare you the unabridged list, which would take me the better part of a week to write.
- It’s only forty miles. (Naked Bavarian)
- A flat 100-miler should be much easier. (C&O Canal)
- It should be light enough that I won’t need a headlamp. (Stone Mill)
- I’m sure if I leave a water bottle by the side of the trail, nobody will bother it. (random training run)
- The altitude won’t bother me. (Bighorn)
- Remembering I forgot to top up my fluids thirty yards outside of an aid station, but not turning around thinking I could make it to the next one. (Ironmaster’s Challenge)
- I’ll just follow this runner ahead of me. I bet they know where they’re going. (various)
- I should empty out this bottle as the weight will only slow me down. (MMT)
- Of course I don’t need a rain coat just because it’s raining. (C&O again)
- I’ll just push the pace a little bit early to bank some time. (pretty much every race I’ve ever done)
What dumb things have moved through your head?
1. A net downhill course will be easier than climbing (Black Canyon)
2. Training on the flat, packed dirt delaware canal towpath will certainly translate to super hilly trail races (various/early on)
3. I’ll never do this again (various)
Oh yeah, #3. I’ve literally said this dozens of times. Typically a day or 2 before signing up for my next race.