Finish line with my dad, Dan, Jason, Charlie, Caroline, Ann Marie and Adam.
The brain recalls emotion far better than any other aspect of an experience. I’m emotionally tied to Highlands Sky and each thought of it incites an emotional response; a good emotional response. And those emotions are conjured anytime I think of the race and any of my favorite aspects of it. I can do it 365 days a year and 24 hours a day.
Pain is not easily remembered. We can recall that we were in pain and that we were uncomfortable and maybe even temporarily miserable. Thankfully, however, specifics of pain are tucked away in our memory so far that it can’t be recalled. This unique feature of the brain can also be referred to as “runner’s amnesia”.
The pain can be remembered when it’s relived. It’s not until I’m reliving steps on the trail that I remember how much it hurts. At Highlands Sky the memories of discomfort come between mile 31 and 33 and again on the butt slide. Even though the butt
slide is downhill it takes FOREVER.
But again, the overwhelming emotion of accomplishment and joy of the finish outweigh the pain and the hurt. The finish line revelry with friends and family erase the effects of pain that have already dissipated. It's amazing how it works and it's the reason we keep coming back to do it again.
With ten of these Highlands Sky 40 milers in the books and I have loved every moment. Our family heritage and our camp on Red Creek started it all. My granddaddy built the camp, hunted and hiked these trails, and would love to see me running on them. My dad has been with me at every Highlands even when he and I just came up to watch a friend run this race before we even knew what long distance trail running was all about. And with each race falling on Father’s Day weekend there’s no where else on earth I’d rather spend my Father’s Day morning than on Red Creek or Canaan Valley with Ann Marie, Caroline, Charlie, and my dad.
The finish line images over the years have changed. Most of the change comes from Caroline growing from a toddler to a young lady of 10 years old. She has been with me in each picture. The picture from 2010 is my all time favorite followed close behind by 2011.
Experience Highlands Sky for yourself and learn why so many of us have come to love it. Dan, Adam and the 40+ volunteers make this a fan favorite race that I hope to be part of for many years to come. Everything you need to know about it is here.
Pain is not easily remembered. We can recall that we were in pain and that we were uncomfortable and maybe even temporarily miserable. Thankfully, however, specifics of pain are tucked away in our memory so far that it can’t be recalled. This unique feature of the brain can also be referred to as “runner’s amnesia”.
The pain can be remembered when it’s relived. It’s not until I’m reliving steps on the trail that I remember how much it hurts. At Highlands Sky the memories of discomfort come between mile 31 and 33 and again on the butt slide. Even though the butt
slide is downhill it takes FOREVER.
But again, the overwhelming emotion of accomplishment and joy of the finish outweigh the pain and the hurt. The finish line revelry with friends and family erase the effects of pain that have already dissipated. It's amazing how it works and it's the reason we keep coming back to do it again.
With ten of these Highlands Sky 40 milers in the books and I have loved every moment. Our family heritage and our camp on Red Creek started it all. My granddaddy built the camp, hunted and hiked these trails, and would love to see me running on them. My dad has been with me at every Highlands even when he and I just came up to watch a friend run this race before we even knew what long distance trail running was all about. And with each race falling on Father’s Day weekend there’s no where else on earth I’d rather spend my Father’s Day morning than on Red Creek or Canaan Valley with Ann Marie, Caroline, Charlie, and my dad.
The finish line images over the years have changed. Most of the change comes from Caroline growing from a toddler to a young lady of 10 years old. She has been with me in each picture. The picture from 2010 is my all time favorite followed close behind by 2011.
Experience Highlands Sky for yourself and learn why so many of us have come to love it. Dan, Adam and the 40+ volunteers make this a fan favorite race that I hope to be part of for many years to come. Everything you need to know about it is here.
