I sit here, sore but surprisingly not crippled, and I’m just barely beginning to comprehend what I just finished this weekend—running 202 miles in just a shade over two days (50 hours, 16 minutes, 58 seconds) on long country roads from Gettysburg, Pa. to Washington, D.C., as part of the American Odyssey. Many people have told me that this adventure should be new a book. Perhaps, but honestly, I think it may just be a new chapter. A thick and interesting chapter, but just a chapter. However, I can now turn the page on something I have been planning, fretting over, and worrying about for almost two years. Yep, this has been in my mind for almost that long.
Two years ago, I was a designer of these types of courses—the 200-mile (ish), 24-hour (ish) running relays. The year before that, I had participated in one with a fantastic group of friends and that relay led to this vocation. That job led to where I am now. But somewhere in the middle of all of this I thought about the potential of running one of these relays solo.
The original thought process had me doing the Reno-Tahoe adventure, but the timing did not work out properly. A confluence of events did, however, come together to allow me to start planning last summer for this particular race, which leads me here to the bed I am lying in, contemplating whether I should shower, eat a steak for breakfast/lunch (was craving one the entire race) or what.
I know I have to put down on paper my thoughts and experiences about this race but when and where I will do that I am unsure right now. But I do wish to thank the veritable bevy of supporters I have had along the way and most importantly my wonderful crew. All novices in the race crewing arena (and even if they had been seasoned veterans, crewing for just one person like this over 48 hours would be a whole different story) they kept me upright and going with their actions, thoughts, and humor. (e.g. “Sure you are tired but imagine how much this is going to piss off those who don’t like you!”)
As I have said repeatedly with regards to my 52 Marathons in 52 Weekends, (and can now add this past weekend into the equation) there is no telling what you can achieve until you ignore the impossible. Why did I do this? Well…
Continue Reading: 1 2
{ 28 comments }
I underestmated you, Dane. Congratulations on this impressive accomplishment.
Going Solo 202 miles!!! Outstanding! Cheers! Did you use the ASEA in your training too? Congratulations! How did you do it?
I love it…you are incredible! thanks for giving me a glimpse into your world…as I did my first 12 man team of 200 miles through the ragnar So Ca race from Ventura to Dana Point…similar incredible journey! And good friends to make along the way! Congrats to you ! Selina Nordberg
Congratulations on a fantastic finish! Soooo admire your enthusiasm in everything you do! Way to “Just Do It!” You put a smile and an awe of delight to your fans. We heart you, Dane!!!!!
Dane I totally get it, most don’t but we Ultra freaks do ! you rock!
I don’t question the why but rather admire the effort it takes to accomplish our hearts desire.
God Bless and keep Inspiring us,
John Pyle,
Sarasota, Florida
Nice work, Dane! Glad to hear it went so well.
Congrats Dane!! That is simply incredible what you have accomplished! I do agree, we are capable of more than we imagine, we just need to get through the mental barriers!!
Great Job!
There. I commented. :)
You did an incredible thing! It was good to see someone accomplishing a very, very long goal…can I just add another very, very long? I like the last line of your article. So, I am wondering if you have thought about what is next? By the way, are you back in the great state of Utah?
I’m so glad I got to go along for the ride, even if it was totally on tiny ass, windy, crooked roads :)
Something is amiss here. I’m pretty sure you didn’t run the entire thing like you said.
Congratulations, Dane. I hope you’re writing up a full report for your blog. It’s a nice article but it hardly does the achievement justice. Recover well.
Congrats, Dane. That’s a monster amount of miles many can’t imagine doing in a month, let alone a single semi-continuous jaunt. I’m glad to read that you saw it through, and yes, it simply can not be done without dedicated crew. Props to them too.
“It’s a nice article but it hardly does the achievement justice.” That’s because there was no achievement. Heard of Rosie Ruiz?
Congratulations! No matter what I say, it is an understatement. It was nice to meet you at the expo in Boston.
Hello. I am new to running and stumbled upon this site. I am absorbing as much as I can about the sport. Pardon my ignorance, but I don’t understand the Rosie Ruiz comment in this instance. Can someone explain?
Thank you.
Rosie Ruiz ‘won’ the Boston Marathon in 1980 (women’s race). Later they stripped her title. All the info is on wikipedia.com
Thanks, anon.
I’m assuming that some people don’t believe Dane accomplished this feat.
Dane, why are people saying that?
Seems like this sport has a great community with a lot of stand up athletes. (From what I’ve observed thus far). As a newbie, it stinks to think that this could happen in this world. I hope that isn’t the case in this instance.
Are we truly expected to believe that “sunflower”, “Anonymous”, “Anasheh” and others are different people? Sunflower just HAPPENED across this website and needs to be told what Rosie Ruiz is so it can be “explained” in the comments section of an article here? Come on. (And your “assumptions” sentences summing up what the “others” have said succinctly without actually saying it all again, Sunflower? Priceless. True Acadamey Award winning stuff.)
It seems Dane’s crew was right and those who do not like him will never like him even when he does the things they think are not possible. Do you honestly believe the race directors weren’t checking on Dane on his route? Or that the people monitoring the course wouldn’t figure out if someone cheated? Like the guy or not, stop anonymously lobbing pathetic grenades from behind a keyboard simply because of jealousy, stupidity, or a completely insipid moral character.
You have got to be kidding me. I have no reason to make up another screen name.
Succinct? Yes. If you follow the above comments, I came to a natural conclusion.
I’m not trying to start trouble, I was honestly asking why the feat would be questioned.
Oh well.
I was at the finish line in DC on April 24, I handed you a bottle of water and congratulated you on your accomplishment. I am a very average Jane who has been inpired by various people various key times to run longer distances over my 25 year running career. I experienced my first age group win in a 5K race several weeks ago and am on the trail of a Boston qualification. Until Saturday, April 24 I was content with my Boston bid and the marathon. Now I am looking forward to running Odyssey in 2012 with a team of 4. Who would have thought average Jane could run 50 miles? People ask me why? I say because I wanna see if I can do it. Thanks for being my next phase inspiration.
@ Sunflower – you accidentally stepped on a landmine. “Anonymous as well” is Dane posting. He has a long history of posting on forums as other people to defend or promote himself. It’s that sort of behavior that has built him critics and that detracts from the legitimately cool stuff he has accomplished. Suggestions that he didn’t really run the full distance are ridiculous, but there is a history that has generated the criticisms.
Bill,
I have been using ASEA since September. As I mentioned in my blog about ASEA (http://danerunsalot.blogspot.com/2010/04/asea-does-it-work.html) it is hard to pinpoint direct connections with products. But I am still using it today!
Selina,
Relays and group running adventures help turn out solo sport into one we can enjoy with friends.
Rebecca,
What a nice thing to say! thank you for all the encouragement!
John,
Best of luck to you are you upcoming races as well! Ultra freak or 5k runner is is fun to push our boundaries.
Blaine,
Better than I could have imagined but I was really hoping for sub 48 hours. But I will most assuredly take it.
Eddie,
Once accomplished it seems less incredible. Keep striving for your own goals!
Wendy,
I have thought about what is “next” long before I even started this. I have lots of plans!
Catie and Quynh,
Thanks for getting me through!
Cindy,
Still not sure how I will totally capture all of this. It deserves more than a blog.
Jimmy Dean,
Thanks for chiming in. Without a doubt the crew is essential.
Elaine,
Pleasure meeting you as well.
“Sunflower”,
Seems it has been explained to you. Do with it what you’d like.
Christine,
That was some of the best water I have ever tasted Not because I was thirsty but because I was done. i gave no doubt you can do it with a team of four. I hope I am on hand to witness it and wish you the best in your chasing of a BQ!
“Tim”,
Sorry, but you are wrong. But since you already have made your decision, this is probably a waste of my typing.
I am tossing my hat in the ring with Tim that “Anonymous as Well” is Dane. Dane is the guy that created his own wikipedia page and then in the discussion forum on the page posted the following under an assumed name.
all you have done is created one of the longest editing wars ever over a runner who probably does not care one lick about wikipeida. Now I have no “proof” about that other than the fact I met him at one of his speeches and asked him if he knew he had a wikipedia page and he laughed and said “Dear God. I can only imagine what they are saying about me!”75.169.94.36
Anyone doubting whether “77.168.94.36″ is Dane’s ip address? It originates from Salt Lake City and that is where Dane lives.
That being said, I am sure Dane did the full 202 miles — really any suggestion otherwise is unnecessarily knocking what he did. Sincerely, nice job, Dane!
Tim, landmine is an understatement!
“Dane,” (I caught your innuendo, BTW)
Is what Anonymous suggested true? Were the RD’s checking in with you during your run?
I have no idea what innuendo you are referring to, “sunflower”, but if you have any questions about how the race was run, officiated or monitored, I welcome you to contact any one at the race itself for clarification.
LOL.
Ok, “Dane.” We’ll do!
Was just directed here from runningtimes.com. Awesome adventure, Dane! And those who try to detract from this accomplishment – could you be bigger losers?