OK, I'm in!

CLICK HERE FOR GREG'S COASTAL CHALLENGE DAY-BY-DAY COVERAGE

"Ever run in a staged race before?" Coastal Challenge Race Director Tim Holmstrom asked me.

I thought: You mean, the race will be scripted and blocked off, just like a Jon Benet Ramsey audition?

First lesson about training for the 2008 Coastal Challenge: Read the darn web site.

I did. Let's see: six consecutive days of running in tropical heat over barren, bone-dry volcanic regions, near inland lakes and through forests that will take me within spitting distance of the Nicaragua border (cool, I've always wanted to spit on that Noriega dude. Wait, isn't he dead? Oh yeah, we killed him). It gets confusing with all the leaders we kill nowadays. Note to self: Make an "Exterminated Leader" folder in Outlook.

Then I looked at the photos of all the ripped runners who've completed the Coastal Challenge, and immediately felt worse. All of them were named Athena or Apollo. All of them had biceps the size of cul-de-sacs or six-pack abs. All of them were hot.

I will be one of these runners (figuratively speaking) next year, when the race starts on Jan. 27. Sure, I've run a couple of 50-milers, and a handful of 50ks - all on trails. I've finished eight marathons. But I live in Orange County, Calif. not exactly "Survivor" territory. And Costa Rica? I hear it has no summer, winter or Cinnabon.

Wait, I have heard of such a place; it's called the sun.

The Coastal Challenge web site warns of "small, snarly dogs" along the route. Now, I'm not sure what a snarly dog is - maybe they're referring to the event's lawyers - but it got me thinking: Do I need to bring, like, bug spray? I have a hat somewhere. Guess I'll need some Oakleys.

As I slip into my Sperry Topsiders, I ponder: Will there be a Starbucks along the route, wedged between a Payless Shoes and a Quizno's? In "the OC", they paved paradise and put up plastic strip malls, with ATMs and DVD drops built into the pillars. Please, no skateboarding and keep moving.

Awesome, man. Methinks I better start training. I hit the dirt, turn on my iPod shuffle and out pours the late Johnny Cash:

I fell into a burning ring of fire.
I went down, down, down
And the flames went higher.
And it burns, burns, burns
the ring of fire
the ring of fire
the ring of fire.

CLICK HERE FOR GREG'S COASTAL CHALLENGE DAY-BY-DAY COVERAGE

Comments

[WendyB]

Therein lies the secret to finishing: snarly little dogs and real caffe at the finish! Okay seriously, sounds like an amazing adventure all around. How do you train for something like that in Cal (climate-wise)? I guess you'll let us know. Good times!

[Steve Ansell]

Well, I happen to be in Costa Rica right now when I came across your blog (via therundown). All I can say is that while you will be running in the "dry" season and in the "dry" area of the country, their idea of dry isn't exactly what we are used to in California. You might want to take a little trip to the other Orange County (FL) to do some training.

-Steve
p.s. All the little dogs I have come across have been very friendly

[Kirk Fortini]

Greg, you have my admiration.

The idea of doing a multi-day stage race has appealed to me for some time now. But, I know that I have a way to go before I'm truly ready. I think it's incredible that you're doing one, and I'm looking forward to reading all about your experiences.

Let me know if you ever get an itch to do the 6633 Arctic Ultra. Now that one sounds like a blast (in a masochistic sort of way).

I won't wish you luck, because luck has no place in a training program. I know you'll work hard. I know you'll do well. I will, however, hope for your good health and for a great time to be had.

[WendyB]

I am in the OC Florida and I agree. Go outside and it's like being hit in the face with a wet sock. (No joke). Run in the afternoons and you can experience some nice little monsoons.

[moik]

i am enjoying your blog as i am considering doing this race as well.

i didn't see anybody else comment on this but noriega was the president of panama - we in vaded panama and captured him and he isn't dead - he is in prison here in the usa.

somoza was the us backed us backed dictator of nicaragua who was responsible for a lot of atrocities. daniel ortega is the communist sandinista leader opposed tp the us. i am not sure who's running the place now.

maybe i'll see you on costa rica.

btw - ive been there and tried to run a 17 mile marathon training run while i was there. what a joke! more like a five mile walk. my running background is similar to yours.

moik

[T.]

Just signed up for the race too. I am more of a newbie- running more for "my pleasure" than racing and acheiving personal goals. Good luck and see you there.
T.

[Doone]

Having run Coastal Challenge three times I can assure you the northern part is far less humid and much cooler than the south. So if heat is the big fear go this year before they head back down to the south in the subsequent years!! I was even cool a few days last year.