Coming Together

The nerves have abated to the point where I'm not running to the bathroom every time I hear or think the word "Bear" or "100" or "run".  My 50 min run last night started off sluggishly but improved throughout with some fartleks and short hill power climbs.  I unfortunately lost Tim W. as my pacer.  I was looking forward to sharing the second half of the race with him but completely understand his reasons.

Now I have another pacer, whom I can't name until he commits 100% (his words are that he's 90% sure now).  If this comes to fruition, I'll be off the wall excited.  He's a runner I've admired since the first time I saw him win his first 50 miler two years ago.  He's smart, competitive (though he won't admit it), tough as nails, and accomplished at the 100 mile distance on all terrains from flat to the most mountainous in the world.  Oh, and he knows the Bear course.  I can't wait to run it.

The weather looks to be cooling there by early next week to highs in the low 70s.  It was hot, abnormally hot, for the race last year.  I'm bringing everything for any weather and temperature.

I realize my goal of sub 24 hours is ambitious and could be setting myself up for failure, BUT I can't seem to visualize any other outcome.  I've delved into every nuance of the race and running it under 24.  I don't care about placing; when I run my race that part will fall into....place.  Having fun, staying comfortable, conservative (for the first 62 miles), and soaking up the entire experience, good and bad is my focus.