So an idiot runs 100 miles...

It's been more than three weeks since I finished my first 100 mile run. What's it like to finish a 100 mile run? Not immediately after, but in the days after?

Quick recap. My right calf cramped early in the run, before mile 50. I forced it loose with some slow running and kept going, bruising it in the process. Although I finished the run, by evening, I was in the ER with swollen feet and legs and a fever over 100F. Blood tests showed an elevated CK level of 8,000, and obvious muscle strain. But the doctor wasn't too concerned and sent me home to my devoted family.

My daughter's response when was asked how I was? "He's an idiot."

So my family may be concerned, but not too concerned about my well being. Physically, I was fine. Mentally, well, that's another story. Certainly I wasn't too stable before, or else I would have stopped my running quest at 26.2 miles. What happens after 100 was predictable and unpredictable at the same time. Beyond the emotional high that quickly dissipated, here are some of the things that went through my mind.

• Superman. I feel like Superman. I can conquer any challenge. Throw anything my way. Of course, I couldn't walk without crutches for a week. So, throw anything my way in a month or two.

• Porn. The forced layoff from running after injury meant a lot of time on my butt watching porn: Run porn, surf porn, bike porn, snowboard porn. I think I'm at least 42% of the way through YouTube by now.

• Type 2 Fun. On reflection, that run was so easy, except for that one thing. What was it? Oh yeah, the cramp. And lack of sleep. And exhaustion. And pain. But other than that, the run seemed so easy. That so was much fun. I can't wait to do it again. So ...

• A Little Jog. Four days after getting home, I signed up for a 50 mile run, which I described as "Just a 50-miler. It's only a day run. It doesn't count!". Chihping called me out on that phrase as something only 100 mile runners say. Then two weeks later, I signed up for a 54k Skyrace. Yeah, no lapse of judgement there.

• Exalx. After several days on the couch, I hit the gym. First time in 3 years. Great, not only can I barely walk, now I can barely lift an arm. Smooth move, Exlax.

Next time. Because we all know there will be a next time... My poor wife said to me, "I know you're never going to do this again. So how long do we have until you do this again?". She know me. Well, I don't know, but next time, I want my kids to be there. I want them to see that you can come up with a crazy and stupid idea, set a big, hairy-ass audacious goal, and if you put in all the effort you can, and more, and though it might hurt in parts, you can achieve it.