By Randy Zuniga
When the clock was to strike midnight and signups for all of the San Diego Ultras opened – I knew I was going to sign up for the PCT 50, a dry, exposed 50 mile course along the southern end of the Pacific Crest Trail. I completed a 100k the year before so no problem. A friend of mine encouraged me to attempt a 100 miler in 2016. No way! I pushed that back another year.
Finally, after clock watching for hours, a feast of seafood, and a hokey countdown on the radio, the champagne bottles popped. I kissed my wife, wished a few of my friends a Happy New Year around the bonfire then excused myself to my laptop. With a click of the button I was signed up for the PCT 50. It was no big deal even with the buzz of champagne.
Then I saw the signup for the SD 100. A 100 mile course through San Diego’s local mountains (Cuyamacas, Lagunas, and parts of the PCT) in June where temps can top out in the 90s to 100s. My heart stopped as I stared at it. I felt a little surge of warmth at the pit of my stomach. At the snap of a finger the champagne buzz was gone. I want to do this. As I stared at the signup site my veins pulsed with energy. I’m so drawn in. Am I drunk? I couldn’t have been because I felt a bit nervous.
New Year’s day I had the signup site up on my laptop and all day long and I would stare at it as I walked by. Why not this year? What would be the difference between this year and next? “Next year I would be older” as I started convincing myself why I should do it instead of why I shouldn’t. I finally sold myself and signed up. Here’s to an epic 2016! Why not this year?!