WEBSITE WEDNESDAY: PERSONAL epics

Black Rock Desert High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, north of Gerlach, Nevada. Taken Nov 26 2006 Bob Wick BLM California from Flickr.com; Creative Commons 2.0 license

PLAN YOUR OWN UNSUPPORTED ADVENTURE 
“Do Something Epic: Test Your Limits With An Unsupported Adventure Run”, by Amanda Loudin for Competitor.com tells you why you might want to make this kind of personal effort your next big challenge. The runs are called “personal epics” in the article and are not part of an organized event. Participants identify a longer route or trip with help from online information and advice, and arrange for food/fluid and shelter (if multi-day) support, mostly without outside assistance.  The self-designed, ‘Do-It-Yourself’ attitude of this type of endeavor appeals to EarnedRuns, as “enabling personal competition” is OUR THING!
 
According to Ms Loudin’s piece, the impetus for attempting an unsupported adventure run may come from various sources. A runner or walker could be looking for a change of ‘pace’ (pun intended) goal, something to fire-up training. Or a change in circumstances may necessitate that alterations be made to a previously planned event in order to avoid total cancellation.  
 
She reports that one adventurer was no longer excited  by running marathons, and wanted to “test herself in an uncontrolled environment”. She first ran a Grand Canyon trail and then a Bryce Canyon route.
 
Another was unable to participate in a 100 mile race for which he was registered. Not wishing to “waste the training”, he opted instead for a DIY run of the same distance in which he carried all needed water and food.
 
A couple said they converted an originally planned, 10-12 day, 105-mile European hiking trip into a 5-day run/fast pack adventure, because of unforeseen time constraints.
 
“They offer no recognition or finisher’s medal, no aid stations, no 26.2 sticker to serve as bragging rights”, the article says. “So what’s makes them (unsupported adventure runs) so appealing?” it asks. EarnedRuns knows that immeasurable internal rewards can be won in personal athletic contests. The challenge can be a solo race, a streak, a long distance virtual trip, an obstacle course, or an unsupported epic adventure.  The appeal and draw of personal tests is that they are when, where, and what you design them to be!

SEE the website MAIN page; “unsupported adventure run” will be added to the list of SUGGESTED USES FOR EARNED RUNS BIBS

RUN HAPPY!
 
http://running.competitor.com/2016/08/trail-running/something-epic-test-limits-unsupported-adventure-run_15374