I am now in Week 12 of training for my first ultramarathon. The terrifying part of that is that I have less than twelve weeks to prepare.

Endurance training always involves the athlete learning about herself. One thing I’ve learned: I believe I prefer focusing on one sport. It’s been months since I’ve been on my bike, and I think I’ve swam once in the last four months. It’s been running, running, running. Perhaps my obsessive nature thrives on obsessing over one sport instead of trying to balance three at once.

I’ve also learned how important it is to play. I am enjoying this training. I ran twelve miles on Friday, and it felt like forever but I enjoyed it. I ran eight miles the next day, and I was pleased that I was able to push my pace a bit, despite the tired legs. I love the challenge of trail running. But I haven’t done anything just for fun.

I knew going in to this training that I wouldn’t be able to spend my weekends skiing or snowshoeing. My long runs are on weekends, and I can’t afford to skip a long run for a day of skiing. And I surely cannot spend a rest day on skis. Alpine skiing is out of the question, both for its expense — day passes are $63 at Mission Ridge — and the inescapable risk I could hurt myself. It’s been a few years since I’ve done any alpine skiing, which makes the likelihood of injury greater. While Nordic skiing is less likely to result in a catastrophic soft tissue injury, it’s a strain on the muscles that are already working hard on run days.

But over the past few days, I’ve grown to see  how desperately I need to go have some fun. We’re getting lots of snow this season. I can’t help but see the irony in my deciding to exclude myself from winter sports the year we’re getting good snow.

The Hubs & I talked, and he’s in no condition to spend a day skiing. When he’s miserable, I’m miserable. I’d rather have the company, but we agreed I should go out and play and leave him home.

I have Friday off, so I’m considering heading up to Echo Ridge near Chelan. I’ll ski Friday, spend Friday night in a cabin, and then ski some more on Saturday before  heading home. I’m tempted to spend two nights up there, but I’d also like to be home on Sunday to go to church and tend to the house chores.

I just found out there are no vacancies up at Chelan Rentals. They suggested I call on the 29th or 30th and see if there are any cancelations. I have other options; I just know I want to go ski.