Running ultra marathons and trying to be competitive at these distances is two different worlds. Over the past year ive been stepping up my game from weekend warrior and seasonal x country runner to aspiring competitive ultra runner. The experience of the hard training and hours spent on the trail and in the mountains are truly unforgettable. When you have a successful stretch of good/hard training it has an immense impact on your life. Priorities change, and mentally everything is together and well. Every part of the trail and all its sights, and smells, they become you. Time and space are easily forgotten and the only thing left is the trail. Unfortunately as the weeks of training peel off you become more fit and susceptible to injury. Its like running up a mountain. You will eventually reach the top and when you do its a game of balance on a narrow single track on a high ridge. Any little trip and you can fall right down that mountain. Im just getting over a tendon injury and have been off for 3ish short weeks. A good friend of mine once told me "don't be afraid to take time off". Recently these words have been resounding in my ears. Ive come to this conclusion. Try and enjoy this time and use it to reassess the current situation and next time be more successful on the proverbial mountain. If we can keep learning and adapting there is nothing in the future but success. This has been proven since the beginning of time.