2013 HarvestIt’s now time to store my medals. Throughout the year, I put my medals on top of my bookcase. They are not at sight but well hidden in my basement. After each of my races, I can see what I have accomplished. But with the New Year, everything goes in a box. I realize even more what I have accomplished during the year. In fact, not everything goes in a box. My plates and certificates of certain races will remain on a shelf not too far. This year, my Vermont 100 belt buckle and my World Trail Championships plate will remain in sight. Slowly, the top of my bookcase will line up trophies and medals from my 2014 races.
I don't see it as a new beginning, however. My body remembers. My muscle fibers remember. My head also remembers. What I’ve experienced in 2013 adds up to everything I've experienced so far. All this background I carry in me made me the runner I am today. And when I look at the whole picture, I am very proud of all the challenges I succeeded in. I forget then my few bad trainings, difficult races, injuries. I can lift my head high and look ahead and set myself other goals.
At the beginning of each year, I wonder where running will lead me. Despite all my achievements, I always manage to discover more on running, to discover more about myself. While initially I had specific marathon goals, quickly, running has found a place in my everyday life. I’m running because I love to run. I run for fun too. I still manage to achieve good performances bringing me to properly train, leading me to explore further. In 2009, I ran my best marathon. In 2010, I pushed my limits with several outstanding races while pushing my children in a stroller. Team Roulier won the marathon of Rimouski. In 2011, I discovered the great world of ultra-trail at Stone Cat Trail Races. This race opened a path that I was reluctant to follow. In 2012, I found the strength to heal an injury that occurred early in spring and I was able to run very exciting races both on roads and trails.
And what about 2013…
VT 100 - with my pacer, Sergio I explored the limits of my body... and my head. There was a race of 100 km in spring but it is above all my first 100 miles in Vermont where I realized the strength and determination you can have to finish this kind of challenge. The body only seeks to stop, to protect itself. The head should be strong to continue to move forward. You need to dig deep to not give up, to continue to move forward. Despite an exhausted body, you can continue to move forward. My body has healed and my head grew from this experience. My body will be even stronger, my head also. I'll be even stronger for my second 100-mile race this summer in Vermont.
World Trail ChampionshipsI had the opportunity to represent Canada at the World Trail Championships in Wales. A very nice human experience. This selection goes much beyond the action of running. It made me realized that I wanted to explore more what running could offer me, other aspects of running. I then shared my experience through conferences, website and a blog. I opened myself to better define what running is for me. And I want to continue to look for all the meanings.
- I realized that my body also has its limits. You must recognize it and take a little break. Many races, fatigue and injury. I didn't run as much as I would have liked in the last three months. On the other hand, my head and my body needed personal challenges. At a pace less aggressive, I discovered the mountains and ridges of the White Mountains. Lonely long hiking-runs in this immensity. And all this will have been beneficial because my end of season was exceptional with 3 victories including a course record at Stone Cat Trail Races - 50 miles in 6:10
- In 2013, I ran 6000 km of which 1000 km were racing. Several great races. On roads but especially on trails. Several wins on courses from 20 km to 100 km. Good Canadian rankings too. Many ultras. Second best Canadian on 100 km, third best on 50 miles and 5th on 100 miles. A very good year.
I have still several challenges in mind for 2014. There are important races such as Vermont 100 and 100 km World Championships in Latvia. There will be personal challenges in the Sentiers de l'Estrie and the White Mountains. Also, my project “Moving for Health” allows me to combine my passion and my work. It brings me to get involved in various events such as:
- Ambassador for Leucan Winter Challenge – Estrie on January 26...It is always possible to participate or give generously
- Members of the Welcoming Committee for Clara Hughes in Sherbrooke during Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk about mental health on March 28
- Honorary President of two new ultra-races in Quebec: Estrie 50 and Pandora 24
For 2014, I will still have the support of partners to help me in my projects (Le Coureur, Pro Circuit Endurance and Les Sentiers de l'Estrie).
With this New Year, I feel that my body healed. My stride is effortless... My runs are fun. And I feel that my body is transformed... My body is more comfortable in/on trails. My muscle fibers are changing... I think. I have more endurance, with climbs and descents. Everything is easier and I have fast recovery. My head prefers trails. I believe that in nature I am finding... my true nature.
I just finished an interesting movie, Southbounders. People crossing the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. There are two important messages:
- « Hike your own hike ». We, runner, can say “Run your own run” or “Race your own race”. It is a personal approach first and foremost. Selfish...No. Our passion can inspire more than one individual.
- « Always be willing to take the next step ». The race offers several possibilities. Different trainings, different surfaces, meeting, sharing...Sometimes, the next step is to take rest. The next step, it is also to continue to move forward when in a race, we are ready to give it up. I’ve been running for almost 15 years. I still have this motivation to run and push my limits. The results are there too. To progress, to avoid to reach a plateau and leave everything, you need to change the formula. No major changes... But we must afford to explore. It is in the exploration of less known territories that we discover our environments, that we discover about ourselves. We then can bring our running to another level.
I wish you all a great year full of new adventures.
Sebastien (www.sebastienroulier.com)
