Liza Howard

Liza Howard

Liza Howard is a long-time is a longtime ultrarunner who lives in San Antonio, Texas. She teaches for NOLS Wilderness Medicine, coaches, directs the non-profit Band of Runners, and drives her kids around in a minivan.

March 2015
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Soaked polyester, Il Corridore and MdS

LizaLiza

I’m starting to think about MdS as a restful vacation with a bit running thrown in.  I’m not underestimating the desert running,  (I’m entirely expecting to be squashed by the running and pack-carrying),  but getting off the treadmill at 11:30 last night having sweated through my Das Parka, (through it people!)

dasparka

with far too few hours of sleep under my belt… Well, the all-I’ve-got-to-do-everyday-is-run-and-eat-and-sleep of MdS really started to seem luxurious.  (And no, I’m not wearing pants in this picture.  I was wearing puffy pants, but I couldn’t stand the wet polyester clinging to my legs after an hour.  I do have shorts on.  I’m not that kind of garage treadmill runner.)

I stole Eliot’s iPad to pass the treadmill time, and ended  up watching a movie about Marco Olmo called “Il Corridore.”

Screen Shot 2015-03-24 at 11.04.43 AM

It’s both wonderful (even if you aren’t stuck on a treadmill with a heavy pack on your back) and depressing.  The man does not smile much in the movie, and running doesn’t seem to fill him with much joy despite his wonderful accomplishments.  All his running has a sense of futility about it.  Maybe my take was influenced by the treadmill and the soaked polyester layers, but it was not an inspiring movie.  Success is fleeting, the body decays, death is inevitable, nobody will remember you, etc. etc.  Ultimately, however, it was probably just the right thing for me to watch right now.  All this running and sweating has to serve some higher purpose or it’s useless.  More on that tomorrow.

Off to change a Ruby’s diaper now.

Comments 8
  • Pommers
    Posted on

    Pommers Pommers

    Reply Author

    Liza, No – you’re right – he seemed like a bit of a grumpy chap to me as well!
    Good job with the heat training, that will definitely hold you in good stead – that and foot management! All the best.


    • Liza
      Posted on

      Liza Liza

      Reply Author

      He actually looked much happier in the desert. Lots of smiling.


  • Andrea Ormerod
    Posted on

    Andrea Ormerod Andrea Ormerod

    Reply Author

    Liza, you continue to be fabulous. Sweating in parkas is beyond horrible; your extreme effort on the treadmill is inspiring. Only uplifting movies from now on.


  • erin
    Posted on

    erin erin

    Reply Author

    holy cow you are a badass!!! i feel so lazy now! you will do great in the desert. 🙂


  • Beth
    Posted on

    Beth Beth

    Reply Author

    I usually just lurk here and don’t comment, but I wanted to say that I love the redesign and good luck at MdS! I’m excited to read about the whole experience!


    • Liza
      Posted on

      Liza Liza

      Reply Author

      Thanks so much Beth! Tim surprised me with the redesign. I need to go run something well — or write a lot more — to deserve it. 🙂 And thanks for commenting!


  • Rodica Slemmer
    Posted on

    Rodica Slemmer Rodica Slemmer

    Reply Author

    That movie triggered the same reaction out of me! It felt anti-climactic, to say the least. “Futile” is a great way to describe it!
    BTW, I love your blog! I came across it while I have been training for my first ultra (next week, eek!) and it’s serving as one of my primary sources of motivation and information about this wonderful world of ultras. (I am working my way through your blog from the beginning – on May 2012 at the moment 🙂 ) Motivation is a huge factor for me and you blog gets me out the door on those too-windy, too-hot, too-lazy kind of days when I just don’t wanna.
    Best of luck on your race this weekend! May the parka-adorned treadmill training push you to a great finish!


  • Liza
    Posted on

    Liza Liza

    Reply Author

    Thanks so much Rodica!! How did your ultra go??????


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