Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Nothin' runs like a Deehr

I am participating in Cocoa's Wordfull Wednesday Blog Hop!



I love running.  After "quitting" dance during college in Utah (I've gone back to it since then), I decided I had to do something else to stay in shape and running seemed like the easiest thing.  My running has changed a lot over the 10 years, starting with low, slow mileage.  During my sophomore year, I met some girls in my ward who ran and decided to tag along.  We were the "S" runners, Sarah, Sariah, Stacey and Shauna, and we had a blast.  Because of those girls, I ran my one and only marathon.  The marathon was a good experience, but I don't know if I'll ever repeat it.  I don't care for running that much.  Maybe eating, but not running.  

I've been blessed to run in a few different states.  Utah was my favorite because there are hills galore where I lived, and I love to run hills.  There are also trails galore; go up any canyon (there are lots of those too) and there's a trail for you.  I also love trails, and when you put the two together (trails and hills that is), it's like the Peanut Buster Parfait of running for me.  I remember fondly one trail run.  From time to time I would run with a group out of a local running store.  They knew all the fun trails around, and running with a big group of people can be lots of fun.  The route was an out-and-back, uphill one way, downhill the other.  My friend and I took it pretty easy going up, so I had lots of energy for the descent.  Friends, I flew down those hills.  Ahh, I crave to run right now, 10 pm though it is.  My body was warm, the sun was shining, the endorphins flowed.  I reached that zen moment that runners crave when running doesn't take much effort but you're going so fast.  That is what running is about for me.  I almost kept up with the guys.  They were surprised when I emerged from the trails just a few moments after them.  

I've also run in Boston, MA (not the marathon) where I had access to hundreds of acres of beautiful woods just half a mile from my home.  Talk about paradise!!!  I loved getting lost on those trails because it meant I had to run longer.

And now I'm living in Oregon and loving the trails here too.  My friends and I often have to go early in the mornings, even though it's Saturday.  The best mornings are the clear-sky ones.  The forests here have moss and lichen dripping from the trees, with leaves looking like emeralds when the sun shines through them.  Does a sunrise get any better than on a trail run?  

I've actually never owned a pair of trail running shoes.  These shoes are my current running shoes, and I love them for how light they are: it's like nothing's there.  But for all the trails I've run, I know that trail shoes aren't necessary.  I love my dozens of pairs of running shoes and the places we've been together.

6 comments:

Amanda said...

I'm inspired -- almost enough to run. Walking the trails is more my speed. And I miss Utah too!

Becky said...

Just visiting from WW.

That's so funny. In the time it took me to click "comment", someone else's comment just appeared and already said exactly what I thought...your post almost makes me want to run.

Almost. ;)

Montserrat said...

And I'm feeling good that I can actually run a mile without stopping to walk... :)

Michael Family said...

Hmmm, you must be built to run. I have never felt that way about running, which is why it took me so long to get to 13.1 miles. It just really isn't ever fun. BUT I feel that way about cycling. We would make a great tri relay.

Tiffany said...

I ♥ my running shoes too. I love the empowering feeling I get after a nice long run. Especially in the mountains. So fun to read your thoughts, thanks for sharing! :)

Sharon L. Graves said...

I just posted my shoe post on Chocolate on my Cranium. I too WAS a dancer. Today, much older, am glad to get up a flight of stairs. Enjoy your runs.