why I failed

Throughout my life, I've been spontaneous and impulsive
My first 3 tries at Barkley were like that, too, which is why I failed:

2003 - one full loop
2004 - two full loops (but past cutoff)
2005 - one full loop

Last year (2006) I took a different approach.  I began to study this thing
and try to make sense of it because one day I will succeed.  I came to the
barkley as a spectator and departed peacefully (until we drove through
torndadoes and hail to get home).

This year I was in no physical shape to run.  Mentally I was ready.  Mental
preparation is a combination of humility, apprehension and enjoyment.  You
have to really enjoy each step and simply existing or being "out there" and
feeling "alive".  Any negativity will grow and overwhelm you.

Going in I knew that I had no hope of finishing 2 loops.  I hoped for a
1-loop miracle on the new course, presuming incorrectly that I could make it
happen on will power alone.  I was wrong - you actually do have to train.
You can't coax a loop (or more) out of the barkley.  You also can't "bust
ass" and operate on adrenaline and impulse alone.

You need to be in shape.
You need to know what's out there.
You need to enjoy what is out there (which I do).
What is "out there" is actually the source that keeps you going.
What's out there kept me going on group and solo night loops.
You only get out of barkley how much you put into barkley.
This year I didn't put much in ... and achieved results accordingly.
I like being out there.
It is amazing and wonderful and spiritual.
I feel like I only cheated myself by not being ready.
I was robbed of hours of quiet time, hours of thinking-time, and hours
needed to restore my brain to default settings.
Next year I won't cheat myself.
I hope you don't either.
Laz, plan for a mass finish in '08.

Best regards,
 
Joe Kowalski
Cincinnati, Ohio