David Tosch:  

n just over 40 Marathons. In 2005 I started competing in triathlons. (That meant I had to learn to swim more than 35 yds. and that took a while.) I have finished the Florida Ironman (Swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, run 26.2 miles) twice and plan to enter the Woodlands Ironman (near Houston) one of these days. Right now my major focus if running Ultras. That's anything longer that a marathon. Primarily, 50Ks 50 Miles, 100Ks and 100 Mile races. Marye Jo and I started running the Imogene Pass Run, Ouray to Telluride Colorado, back in 2006. The IPR climbs for 10 miles (to 13,200 ft) and gains 5,400 ft, then descends 7 miles into Telluride. I enjoy trail running so much I have started running "ultras." In November of 2008 I completed the Pinhoti 100 here in Alabama. (That is 100 miles) In August of 2009 I completed my second 100 miler, the Leadville 100 in Leadville, Colorado. Since then I have completed six 100 mile races but failed to finish the 7th this summer, 2014. (The frustrating thing was, that one was the Hardrock 100, arguably the hardest 100 on earth with almost 68,000 ft of elevation gain and loss, making a loop through the San Juan Mountain of Southwest Colorado, Silverton to near Lake City to Ouray to Telluride to Opher and back to Silverton.) It took me 5 years to get into the 2014 race and I am hoping to get lucky before 5 more years. (Entry is by lottery) In the mean time I am running my next 100, the Crewel Jewel in Georgia ( also 68,000 ft of elevation gain and loss over 108 miles.) That one is in May of 2015. In April of 2015 I am running a part of the Race Across America. On April, 17th the event crosses through Alabama. We will run 7 Marathons in 7 consecutive days, starting at the Mississippi State Line and ending at the Georgia State Line. Maybe I should grow a beard and wear a "Bubba Gump Shrimp hat" To sum it all up, I am having more fun that I have ever had in my life, and loving every minute of it!!!