The Zen of Ultra Running

I have to document this race while it's still fresh in my memory.  After Vermont 100 DNF last year, I was lost and did not know what to do. The big questions were "Do I want to train for another hundo?" (considering the amount of time and physical & mental effort I had to put into it) or "Should I take a break year and focus on my career?" (while still doing shorter ultras like 50Ks or even a 50 miler). During one of the runs with D., we had a long talk about my current #life situations and possible goals for next year. For sure, I needed something to focus on to have some kind of structure in my life as well as the mental, stress outlet. I operate better with structure and precisely defined steps and goals. Luckily, D. has done it all (ultramarathons, Ironmans, and stage races). After hearing me b*tching about my current career and life situations (she listened quietly and said nothing), she suggested that I look into doing a half Ironman. She said the trai