Reporter Inspired by Ultra Runners’ Stamina

We could understand why Forrest Gump went running and running and running: He had an IQ of 75 and didn’t know much better.

But male and female ultra runners are seemingly normal in every way--except for an uncontrollable urge to run 30 miles before breakfast. At least they don’t sit on park benches eating from a box of chocolates.

In this week’s Centerpiece, staff writer Ken McAlpine examines these highly motivated athletes and finds out what makes them run so far with nobody chasing them. His story will leave you breathless.

“I’ve always been interested in people who push things farther than anyone else,” McAlpine said. “There’s the obvious question of why, but more than that, it’s really interesting to see what drives them and how they accomplish the remarkable things they do.

“It’s inspirational to see what people can do when they put their minds to it, and it makes you realize that your own whining about this or that is really nothing more than that. If a 70-year-old man can run 100 miles, I can get my taxes done on time.”

Ultra runners are in great shape despite the daily pounding. They preserve their knees by training on cushioned mountain trails instead of concrete city streets. In researching the story, McAlpine became an advocate of trail running.

“Other runners can learn a thing or two from ultra types without experiencing agony and ecstasy firsthand,” McAlpine said.

“Ventura County is loaded with beautiful off-road runs. As any honest runner will tell you, training can sometimes be slightly less interesting than watching paint dry. Running in the wilds can add life and zest to everyone’s running. And if you spend enough time out there, who knows? A hundred miles suddenly might not seem that far.”

McAlpine first became interested in ultra runners when he crewed for his roommate at the 1986 Western States 100 (ultra-running’s Super Bowl).

“By nature and necessity, ultra runners are fairly cheery, optimistic souls, and my roommate was no exception,” McAlpine said, “but I’ll never forget how he and the other runners looked 90 miles into the race. It was still dark and the first sign of the runners coming down the trail was their bobbing flashlights. When the runners themselves materialized it looked like something out of ‘Night of the Living Dead.’ ”

An avid surfer and outdoorsman, McAlpine was not inspired to try ultra-running.

“I’ve been told that finishing an ultra race is a pretty magical moment,” McAlpine said, “and I’ll have to trust what I’ve been told because I don’t see myself trying anything like this any time soon.”