Inspired by Ultrarunning × Occasional × Free
A brief introduction to 100 lessons
❝The world is much more interesting than any one discipline.
—Edward Tufte
Hello and welcome. Allow me to presume the types of questions you might ask, having found your way here from the frothing seas of the larger internet.
what is ultrarunning?
Running’s boisterously prefixed and very time-consuming version is based on the idea that a marathon just isn’t far enough. Its competitive events, called ultramarathons, are footraces of 50 kilometers (31 miles) or more. The terrain ranges from flat and paved to only-goats-can-run-here, the snacks are stale and plentiful, and regular participation is a legit reason to install grab bars in one’s bathroom.
what is this publication about?
Extreme ironing. Wait, no.
If I must say that 100 lessons is about running (which it is), then at least let me clarify: It’s not about running as training advice is about running; it’s about running as that story your sweaty friend told you when you met up for coffee was about running. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind if you thought of it as being about anything or everything else. In fact, I’d prefer it if you did. Running is, in part, a way to notice things that aren’t it—just as writing can be a way to understand things that aren’t yet words.
Most recently, 100 lessons was about:
❝Running as fast as you can will test your self-control on any day. Running as fast as I can now, after two full days on my feet, requires that I give up control altogether; that I surrender the last of my agency to the discomfort, let it dictate my thoughts and actions as I slip into a state of feral single-mindedness that would make me unrecognizable to regular-life me.
Ultrarunning is a demanding sport, but, perhaps paradoxically, many of those who practice it don’t take it or themselves too seriously. My aim is for this publication to do the same, and my hope is that you’ll find it entertaining.
Extreme ironing is totally a thing, by the way.
how often can i expect new posts?
Occasionally. That is, an experience that needs reflecting upon or a thought that needs making sense of, will, time permitting, occasion a post. I can’t promise strict adherence to a schedule, but I can promise to be very strict in ensuring that what I send to your inbox will be a well-thought-out, coherent, finished piece of writing with just a touch of bad puns. To use the popular phrase: “Quality over quantity.” Or the less popular but more accurate: “Eight-rewrites-and-a-start-from-scratch over quantity.”
how much does it cost?
Here are your options:
Pay nothing. Yes, a subscription is the price of a single Oreo, etc., etc. Whatever. If you haven’t come to Substack to spend money, or have literally any other reason not to pay, please enjoy the free words and perhaps share this publication if you want to say “Thanks.”
Take out a paid subscription. If, on the other hand, you feel comfortable paying, I would greatly appreciate your support. Paying for something you can read for free means more than any amount of money. Please help yourself to this secret special offer (full disclosure: it’s actually several Oreos a month):
You can manage your subscription or unsubscribe at any time. Email me if you’re having trouble.
Make a one-time donation. If you don’t want a commitment but have found value in my writing and would like to support it:
Whichever option you choose, thank you for being here. I mean it. Thank you.
what if i don’t want to subscribe?
I originally created this Read before You Ultra persona with the goal of sharing others’ writing, not mine. If you’re not a fan of the latter but are intrigued by endurance sports and running in particular, you can “just follow” me on Substack Notes, where I post almost exclusively quotes from things I did not write.
what does 100 lessons actually mean?
In short, it’s how I used to “tag” certain entries in my digital collection of ultrarunning reads. A quote from a race report, an excerpt from a study on sleep deprivation, a helpful tip or technique, and anything else I thought would help me finish my first hundred-miler. “100 lessons”—lessons in running a hundred miles.
There’s a longer story about that if you want to know how this publication came to be.
Still here? Um, well, that’s it for the intro, but do peruse the archive for the really good stuff.