Get Over It !

Yes, my spouse and I have filed for divorce with the state of Kansas.

This is our own personal business, no matter how many of you have tried to make it your business, too.

I have always loved being part of a group that has inspired so many to stretch themselves in so many ways. It hurts me that some of you have given me the cold shoulder and shun me in the very group that I founded.

This group is a labor of love. I spend many hours per week on Trail Nerds business... on the web sites, on the trails, and organizing and race directing our races.

Let it be known to the haters out there: I will continue to run and enjoy running and working in the group that I founded.

To the many true friends that sincerely care about me and my happiness, I sincerely thank you (with all of my heart) for your support.

Happy trails,
Ben Holmes

Beyond the Epic Run

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Kansas City preview screening of the film "Beyond the Epic Run." What an inspiring documentary!

It's a documentary about a Swiss couple, Serge Roetheli and his wife Nicole. Serge spent five years running over 24,500 miles, on six continents, through 37 countries. Serge's wife (Nicole) was his support crew. She supported his quest and drove a motorcycle (with trailer) the entire distance.

They both had many trials and tribulations, including contracting malaria, encountering war and civil uprisings, nagging over-use injuries (imaging that), and being robbed. Serge relied heavily on drinking Coca-Cola for a clean source of hydration and calorie intake. The most interesting personality in the film (to me) was Nicole...she was an incredible and unshakeable support person for the love of her life; all while maintaining her separate (and very feminine) identity. I can't wait to read her published diary.

There were cameos throughout the film by many "experts" and inspirational personalities. I would have loved to have had a couple of cameos by folks that could relate to the rigors of ultra-endurance multi-day events, though. There are many hearty folks and interesting personalities that have run across the USA and across Europe (in consecutive days), or have conquered the Appalachian or Pacific Coast Trails in record times. It would have been interesting to have some of those folks' insight into the psyche of such an undertaking. While Dean Karnazes is well known and inspirational, there are many others that could have added their 2-cents worth, too.

I was fascinated by the "story within a story" in this film. The running part was interesting. But what interested me more, was the mental and spiritual hardship they encountered, and how they adjusted and adapted to it. Like finding out that their sponsoring charity was "pulling the plug" and leaving them high and dry. Finding a reason to go on (and on) after that, was what was truly inspirational to me.

This film is a GEM! Please take advantage of a screening in your area. You won't be disappointed!

Check out the film's blog.

Or some comments about parts of the film:

Malaria

Sahara

Dr Joy

Trail Nerd Bob, at the Top & Bottom of the World

A Trail Nerd original, "Cowboy" Bob Bundschuh is headed to Antarctica today. He will do the Antarctic Marathon (for a 2nd time), and then three weeks later, he will be running in the North Pole Marathon.

Bob is responsible for giving me the moniker "Bad Ben." We've been friends since I first came to town 13 years ago. I'm responsible for giving him "a nudge" in the direction of running marathons. And ultimately, he's responsible for his adventurous spirit that takes him to places like the Great Wall of China, the Himalayas, etc.

Follow Bob's adventures on his blog.