Comments on: Kokopelli Trail R.

By: Smoked Grizzly : Epic Riding

Smoked Grizzly : Epic Riding — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:01:43 +0000

[...] into my back pocket. It works quite well, insofar as convincing myself that something like a 142 mile unsupported mountain bike race, or an expert level cross-country race is ‘easy’. And [...]

By: JenyJo

JenyJo — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:25:00 +0000

you know what… i had another thought/reflection….

when i decided last year to STOP my koko attempt — quite early in the ride … because i KNEW it wasn’t right IN me at that moment…. i was steadfast in my decision in that moment, and unfortunately only for a few hours after that moment. the ensuing days and hours found me wracked with conflicting feelings and thoughts (and bronchitis)…. but i came to peace with my decision … and moved on.

ONE thing lingered, tho … i’ve had long, involved, deep dreams of the koko (and the race) ALL YEAR since that moment. many, many dreams in fact. and NOT having done it this year is a bit of a surprise. i wonder if i’ll keep dreaming about it, or if it will fade … or be replaced.

just a thought to share.

By: Brad Mullen

Brad Mullen — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:21:00 +0000

Hang in there my friend – good times will return. It’s your destiny.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:54:00 +0000

A tough call Adam but you made the right decision.

It takes tremendous energy to get INTO the required state of mind and then almost equal amounts, maybe more, to back OUT of it. Coming down, leaving the desert trail and reentering the real world is tough.

All that and the intense focus on the endeavor at hand prevented me from snipe hunting with you guys, other things sometimes take priority.

I'm there with you, burdened a little bit with not having done it but ready for next time.

Ed

By: Epic Adam

Epic Adam — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:18:00 +0000

I think the most difficult part of the whole ordeal was knowing that I knew what the right choice was. I hated knowing that I shouldn’t be out there.

Matt T. , let me know the details. I’d love to see that country. But the leash is getting shorter as the summer moves on. The babies are coming…

Lynda, you are right. That 2006 event was a high point for me. It’s been tough to recapture that in the subsequent KTR’s.

By: LyndaW

LyndaW — Tue, 20 May 2008 02:35:00 +0000

Adam, It was amazing to share some of the KTR magic with you in 2006 and see you so strong on that day (and wonder at times if I was gonna catch you before the end!!). It was interesting for me to read this post from you today cause I didn’t have the KTR magic in my veins this year and it seemed wrong to come and force it. You put into words part of what I felt and now I know why I stayed home this time around. Thanks.

By: bradkeyes

bradkeyes — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:37:00 +0000

My first impression when I talked to Kenny on Saturday when he told me what happened was, Oh, that sucks to pull out after the pain and misery of being gone from the family and all the prep time and all the rides leading up to KTR. After reading the post it still not only sucks but to listen to yourself and pull out like that was pretty epic, probably harder than actually doing the ride. Good post. I’m still sticking with the bicycle post for my vote though.

By: Marshal

Marshal — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:27:00 +0000

Adam,

You seemed so sure of what you were doing when we talked as you passed me coming back down Sandflats………knowing your own mind is so important on this type of ride….I was impressed with your demeanor on the trail….and your way of putting into words

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:29:00 +0000

That quote from Morita is awesome. Man, I have quit every race I've been at at least a dozen times. Sometimes the feet keep moving when the mind shuts down, and sometimes the feet shut down when the mind keeps moving.

Good seeing ya Adam and I wish we could have talked more, but shoot Jeff and I were chasing a long afternoon that we wanted to shorten.

We're planning a Tabeguache excursion sometime this year...interested?

By: Matt McFee

Matt McFee — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:23:00 +0000

Hi Adam, I always enjoy reading your blog and this is a great example why. It takes some integrity to write this latest entry. I think it’s very difficult to come to grips with things like this, but you dealt with it head on.