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:
I'm inspired -- almost enough to run. Walking the trails is more my speed. And I miss Utah too!
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. ;)
And I'm feeling good that I can actually run a mile without stopping to walk... :)
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.
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! :)
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.
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