Once upon a time I was an adventure racer. Ok, a wannabe adventure racer. I hit 5 or 6 events in 2 years…pulled down a DNF at most. I think I actually did finish the Mountain Sports Festival Adventure Race in Asheville, NC once…back when it was produced by Norm and Tracyn Thayer.

All that was before the wife (love you honey), the mortgage, the job with the big software company…two kids…yadda, yadda, yadda.

Life get’s in the way. If you let it. I did. Well not any more.

I’m back baby and this time I’m doing it for more than the fun or personal satisfaction…that’s gravy. I need to do it. I need to get back to the active lifestyle I once embraced. I need to do it to be a better father and husband. I need to do it so when my son Jack (5) and daughter Sarah (1) watch and learn from me they’re learning something worthwhile, to appreciate the outdoors…to be active and healthy.

I’ve been going to yoga once a week for a couple months. I’ve been running around the neighborhood at night for a few weeks. I’ve gone riding with my some friends twice in the last month or so.

Today I hit the trails at Paris Mountain State Park for my first solo trail run in preparation for the upcoming race. That may be Midnight Rush, Mandatory Gear or the North Georgia Adventure Race. If the stars line up I’ll hit all three. Regardless, I’m training again and it feels good.

I did 5 miles today…in about an hour fifteen. I ran wearing the soon-to-be-released Hi-Tec Inifinity HPi’s I got in Moab. All bullshit aside (yes, they’re a sponsor)…these are great shoes. I don’t know a thing about footwear, but I know these are comfortable, grippy, roomy in the toebox and my feet felt great during and after my run. My plan is to continue training and ultimately racing in them. I think these shoes have a great shot at being a hit among the adventure sports crowd.

Traileader Jet

The rest of my kit for today’s run included the Traileader Jet from Tech4o, Merino wool socks from Swiftwick, a pair of Lo Pro’s from Numa Sport Optics, a midcap from Headsweats (custom Checkpoint Tracker version of course) and a leftover Inov-8 pack that was laying around in the garage.

It’s good to be back in the woods. It’s good to be sore again. I’m looking forward to suffering with the rest of you again after my lengthy hiatus.

I can’t wait to toe the line at my first (8th) race.

I’m going to enjoy being an adventure racer again and while I’m at it…I intend to find Jim Farmer’s passport.