I saw this in the Abq paper today, but they make you jump through a bunch of hoops to read it. Here’s a link to another version of the AP story:
Too bad DK did not have a rope or sword with him today. It would have made his attempt more entertaining!
I originally was going to put something like “Forget Dean Karnazes, this guy embodies the spirit of ultrarunning” in the title. Decided not to, because by most account DK is a good guy and I didn’t want to imply he was self-aggrandizing. Would’ve gotten a lot more interest with DK in the title, though.
The monks’ story is amazing. Having to carry a short sword or or rope with you on the run to kill yourself if you can’t finish your 100th straight double marathon… Incredible. When I have a chance over the weekend I’ll total up the miles they have to run over the years to finish their path to englightenment.
I have had a quiet fascination with these marathon monks for a while now. I hope their tradition never dies, because it sets a high standard for voluntary human suffering.
We athletes seek suffering in our activities because we know deep down that the suffering balances the pleasures of life. And this balance ultimately enriches our lives much more than the pleasures alone could. I find the proposition that a measure of pain and suffering is necessary for happiness quite delicious, a concept that many of our peers would find foreign if not downright disgusting. Perhaps it is this philosophy that fuels my fascination with these monks.
But damn, these dudes sure take the self flagellation to a whole other level. Yowsa!
My desire to train has nothing to do with balancing anything. It has to do with the fun of competing and kicking your ass
…
=)
Haha. Them are fightin’ words. I would like nothing more than to kick yours in equanimity. 