On August 5, 2008, uber ultra-runner Karl Meltzer set off on the biggest race of his life. His challenge: to run the entire length of the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail in less than 47 days. Definitely daunting. Absolutely grueling. Probably insane. But when he does it, he’ll rule the AT as the guy who conquered it, all of it, the fastest on two feet. This is going to be Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Self, Man vs. Clock – and it’s going to be good.
Don't let the bastards get you down
Submitted by Marit Fischer on Sun, 09/21/2008 - 16:16
After Karl gets off the trail today, he will have only eight more days left in his adventure. And he's not slowing down. The record is out of reach, but Karl is moving along the trail at a fast pace, as fast as he can, right through to the finish. He hasn't quit, he's not going to quit, and he still has some hard miles left to run. I've received tons of great emails from people sharing their support. And in these emails a lot of you have told me that you don't want to post your comments on the site because of the caustic, toxic comments that some people are leaving here. I want you to know that we don't pay attention to those. We skip right over them. They don't matter. Whomever is choosing to write the cruel comments on this blog is meaningless to us. And he or she or they should be to you too. I do read the positive and the neutral comments to Karl. And sometimes, when we have Internet access in the evenings, he reads them himself. Without your comments, though, with only the negative scratches, there's nothing for us to read. Now is the time. Please send your cheers and support. Karl has eight days left. He's pushing through to the finish and like anyone on the last stretch of a huge effort, he could use some words of encouragement. I'm asking you to please feel free to post on this blog to let us know that you're out there and you're watching. Billy and I know you're there. We hear from you and meet you along the way. But unless you're at a trail crossing or you write your cheers here, Karl misses out. Thank you so much for all that you've done for all of us along this journey. Thanks for your huge support. Thanks for your words. (And don't let the bastards get you down. We don't.) |
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Comments
Karl got me off the couch!!!
Marit,
This is Will Thomas from Fall City, Washington, week 3 winner of the guess Karl's time. I just wanted to write and thank Karl for motivating and inspiring me to take my own little "Where's Karl" out west here on the Pacific Crest Trail.
I also wanted to thank the crew at Backcountry.com and all of Karl's other sponsors that supported Karl on his adventure. Without your support, Karl's amazing achievement would go unnoticed by so many. Thanks to you, you are inspiring hundreds of people to enjoy the outdoors.
I being the winner of the week 3 challenge, received some awesome gifts from Karl's sponsors which was enough to give me the confindence to accomplish my own smaller scale version of Where's Karl.
I set out on the PCT with my spot and took in the beauty of the trail for 75 miles. It was an adventure of a lifetime, with memories I'll cherish for a lifetime. Please tell Karl "Thank You!" for inspiring and again backcountry.com pat yourself on the back for being part of such an amazing adventure.
http://willandjenni.blogspot.com/2008/09/pacific-crest-trail-hike-recap_...
AMAZING!
Karl, your sister kris has turned me on to this site and I am reading " A Walk In the Woods" I cannot even imagine the endurance and strength mentally it has to take to keep going. Does the time really matter, you have alreay accomplished what most people could neverr do in a lifetime!
GO KARL! My boys and I are watching daily.
Cyndy Caron
Londodnerry, NH
Inspiring work Karl
Karl and Crew: It's been just awesome following along each days progress. It's so inspiring to see you finishing strong despite no chance for the record. It's easy to keep pushing when everything is hunky dory but to see you keep pushing when everything is not right is what makes you a hero to us just pushing on to finish a ultra or a big exam or just living life.
Thanks man keep up the hard work and finish strong!
George from Nevada
Been here, and will be.
Karl, I've been here every day. I bought a whereskarl t-shirt and every time I run I think of you out there running. You, David Goggins, and DK have inspired me. Dk inspired me to start running after reading his book and I dropped powerlifting, started running, and 1 year later ran the VT50 in 11:15, 25 lbs lighter and a lot fitter than when I started a year prior. David Goggins and yourself have inspired me to run more than I thought possible. Also, your training philosophy and his have shaped how I approach training. I have been struggling to find the right paradigm for how to do my training. Do I run at low heart rates exclusively? Do I do intervals? 100 miles per week? 40? High carb low fat or high fat low carb? Minimal foot wear ala Krupicka and the Tarahumara ( and Barefoot Ted :) ) or motion control and support, blah blah blah.... In the words of both you and Mr. Goggins, "Just run man" And that is what I am doing. I am running, in the shoes I have, at whatever heart rate my body seems to see fit to beat at, just under being tired. I listen to my body, and push it with my heart when I can, backing off when I have to. This simple paradigm has brought some clarity to my training, and peace of mind. I've seen notable improvement in my training in the last month since I started doing this. Thanks for your simple but hardcore approach to running. You are one tough dude. I check in every day and think of you out on the trail with envy. Ultrarunning is a great sport, and you are a great ambassador. This evening, I will lift a microbrew to you friend, a fine quality fermented beverage made from the best ingredients, cold and fresh. I hope you enjoy one too and reflect back on the good you've done. I can't wait to hear your input once this is all over. Thank you very much. Now, plug it out to the end. Give it your all. Many are watching and rooting for you. Don't let us down dude. Finish strong. Don't quit or let up. I know you wouldn't be able to live it down if you didn't and your sense of drive won't let you give less than your best, so, jsut run man.
A Journey
Karl, Marit - etc. -- your whole effort, attempt, experience continues to be fantastic. Everyone who swings by here is paying attention to a journey of a human body and spirit, vs. so much other crap that is out there calling for our attention. You're doing good work! :)
That all applies to record or no record. But if the record still remains important to Karl, well, I hope you give it another shot. I'd love to follow along again. We've got a crew headed up to Vermont for the Vermont 50 this weekend coming, and will be rooting for you from there as well!
Best,
Mike V.
Maryland
Still rooting!
Karl and Crew,
I am checking in every day and really enjoy all the colorful updates. (I'll have to find some other way to procrastinate when this is all over). Record or not, I am not only inspired by Karl's feat, but amazed by his perseverance. We have gotten used to seeing him finish 40+ miles in a day, and can easily forget how FAR that is. To do that day after day after day is more than impressive.
All the best, Karl, as you make your way to the finish. I'll be rooting you on from my desk in SLC!
ima
Keep it Rollin!!
Frankly, the record is a matter of complete indifference to us. Been following every day, and enjoying the journey with you. Those small, inconsequential cretins who've infested on occasion. (WD and others of his ilk) think they're above reproach, but the truth is, they're really just beneath contempt.
We're proud of what you've done; and admire your determination more than you know. We've enjoyed following the crew's exploits as well. Keep it rollin'.
--Lloyd (a Sandy neighbor)
(Nice work, fastgrrl.)
Bastards!
Go Karl! I want you to know that my prayer circle has been saying a prayer for you every week since you started! I know that with HIS help you will finish the AT! Despite all the toxicity on this site, we know that it was never about the record. You just wanted to expose the world to the joys of ultrarunning. You could care less whether you come in first or last and are simply out for the pure joy of it. It is also so nice of you to let backcountry.com sponsor you, and we aslo say a prayer for them. I have been reading many negative posts, but I know your soul is pure, your motives unsallied and that you are running out of sheer altruism. I also know that you are committed to selfless devotion and so those that say you have a big ego, or OCD are just jealous. You should be help up as an example to all right-thinking people.
bastard hater
Rock on!
Dude
Ditto; inspired
Bro
Ditto; inspired
Rockin' the AT
Karl, I've been following your journey from the start with great admiration and a slight envy and/or feeling of horror for your perseverance and pain tolerance. :) I thru-hiked the AT in 2005 and have nothing but respect for what you are doing.
I volunteer with the GATC and oversee the "Cheese Factory" mile in the north end of Georgia (just south of Tray Mountain and Tray Gap, where there is a good RV spot!), and hope to be at Springer when you finish. It should be in great shape and hopefully you just roll downhill through the freshly maintained trail. It's a beautiful mile and seemingly has one of everything - great campsites, water source (spring), great vista, decent elevation change, rhododendron tunnel, etc. Enjoy it and all the other 80+ miles in my home state.
When is your projected arrival date at Springer? I seem to remember seeing a scheduled posted at some point, but now can't seem to locate it.
Anyway, keep trucking. I hope Georgia brings some serious joy (and relief) to you and your team.
Boomerang
GO SPEEDGOAT
Go Karl Go!! Marit and Woodstock, great job. Hi, Mom from Pa and Lone Wolf and all the consistent supporters of Karl. It is great!
trailangelmary
i'm here.............
and watching every day-good days, bad days, REALLY bad days-all of it. I'm sure it has been an amazing journey-lots of info stored for your next attempt. Perhaps the next attempt will be even sweeter!
You haven't given up, and have been an inspiration. Poo on all those negative, "nothing better to do with their time but complain" bloggers. People like that will always look for something to whine about-poor souls.
You go speedgoat! It's been amazing! Can't wait for next time.
Marit-I hope you find your camera:)
Trail lover
Bastards
Nothing but cyberhikin', wannabe runners that post the garbage. They be jealous cuz their fat asses are stuck in front of a puter screen while Karl's doin' it.
You done good, Karl. Your crew too.
Lone Wolf
Wolf
Still searching for you 15 min of fame, huh?
Darn
you're a rude one. So, I'm hoisting another one for Wolf ... and Karl! Keep going man! My family and I (and now also friends in Erie who were here this weekend for a race) are sure cheering you. Mom in PA
Here's to
aging LeAnn....aka mom in PA
;-)
Lone Wolf, I couldn't have
Lone Wolf, I couldn't have said it better. Let's keep the good comments coming.
Tammy in Johnson City
It's hard not to love a true classical epic
It's hard not to love a true classical epic... they are so rare in our modern world.
The formula was set thousands of years ago: A hero with extraordinary powers accepts an almost impossible challenge, and sets off on a long, difficult voyage. He (or she) meets dangerous beasts, is challenged by enemies, but also is aided by kind, generous souls.
Things go wrong. He falls. Storms arise and the earth reveals deep chasms and rugged mountains. Yet the hero shows perserverence and continues on. Inevitably, he has a physical vulnerability (Achille's heel) that raises the possibility that he will fail to meet his stated goal. But the goal is secondary. Any good epic is mostly about the journey, not the destination.
The hero's struggle against internal and external challenges represents the greatest story ever told. Homer's Illiad may have been fictional, but Karl's run is a genuine, modern epic. It is an incredibly inspiring story.
-from jeff
Who ya kidding?
The only Homer the Cult knows is the bartender at Alta! They also think Iliad is the name of the famous rescue dog at the 'Bird.
Man you gotta get down to there level. They are all asking each other what EPIC means right now.