The Trail Beckons

Myra Rhodes catches flak from her tennis buddies for running ultramarathons. They figure she should stick to something less taxing at 70.

Diana Lundy hears a similar response if she mentions her sport at work. Running 31-, 50- and 100-mile races?

Why?

Because the trail beckons. Once on it - far from traffic, phones and other stresses of the modern world - natural beauty and the camaraderie of ultra running can transform a long workout into a joyful journey.

It's a journey increasing in popularity, especially in the Auburn area, long considered the epicenter of ultra running (any race longer than a marathon).

Today's Way Too Cool 50K (31 miles), limited to 600 entrants, filled in three hours of on-line registration. And despite the demands of the annual Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, a lottery is needed to select the 425-runner field from more than 900 applicants wanting to negotiate the distance from Squaw Valley to Auburn.

Ask ultra runners why they push themselves, and they'll talk about escaping the stress of everyday life, bonding with friendly, low-key people, savoring time in nature and gaining confidence.

Limits?

Maybe there aren't any.

"You think you know your limitations and potential, until you get involved in ultra running," says Steve Harrold, a 55-year-old ultra runner and Supervising Deputy District Attorney for Sacramento County.