trail love

To say that trail running has completely changed my life

would be a tad bit dramatic......and 100% true. 

Before I hit the trail a year and a half ago, I feel like my running routine was one long boring sleepwalk. 

The same thing over and over. 

Streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, neighborhoods. Maybe if I was lucky, a sprinkler to run through or a curb to jump up. 

yippee.

And then I woke up one day, and took my first steps on the trail. 

I will never

ever

ever ever 

go back. 

Sure I get mileage in on the road every now and then......and it bores me to death--I think about the trail the entire time.

So every chance I get, I am out running on the dirt--I can't imagine it any other way. 

My body and mind crave it. If it's been too long, I start to get antsy......when can I get out again!? Thoughts of the trail consume me. I NEED to be on the trail. I need to clear my head and feel the burn in my legs.

It's so much more than just a run.
It's jumping and climbing and leaping and ducking. 

It's dirty--filthy! The best runs end with shoes full of mud, and brown slop splashed up your back.

It's wet--sometimes just a bit--sometimes up to your knees in water. 

It's steep--long painful ups, and ridiculously fast downs. 

You cut your legs, your arms. Your ankles will twist and roll. 

You will fall on your face (not always.....but oh, it will happen. usually in front of a group of mountain bikers.)

You will see deer and giant birds and you will almost step on snakes (eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!)

You will crave it so much that it doesn't matter the season--you will be out. 

Slipping and sliding down ice covered paths.

I am so thankful that I discovered trail running. 

It has changed how I think about running. It has brought me so many amazing experiences. It has strengthened my body and mind, and helped me do things I never thought possible.

a few photos from our wet and sloppy run over the weekend.

I am so happy to have Charly back on the trail with me! 

Robby took her on a long hike in September and she injured her shoulder......and had to get surgery....

 It has been the longest, most annoying (to both of us) recovery but she is finally out with me again--we loved it.

After my running post two weeks ago I had some trail questions (I also have got a few emails from you guys about trail running). I am working on a Trail Running post, so any other questions ask here and I will do my best to answer them. 

What are YOU thankful for today?

Dear Charly,

Today you are 1....er........oneish.

If I were the best mother in the world, I would dig out your papers and figure out exactly when your birthday is....but I guess I am not the best mother...

but let's face it, you haven't exactly been the best puppy, have you....

If I recall correctly, you have eaten:

-the siding off the garage

-every chew toy I have ever given you

-the cable for our tv (which you first yanked out of the house from the outside)

-the toggle off my boot

-scented candles

-various toys/balls/helpless stuffed animals

-the pickets off the backyard fence

-a half loaf of this bread

-a pound of really good thinly sliced turkey breast

-according to evidence I'm finding in the yard, an assortment of crayons

-the underneath of our bar-b-que

-one giant bush

-the insulation and wiring on the ac unit

.....you've made yourself a pretty good list.

but.

The kids love you.

"Charly, come protect us from the hornets!!", they say.

I've started to whip you into shape so you can run with me--you're at two miles and not hating the leash so much....I can't wait until we can go further!

You have pulled Robby around the entire neighborhood on his long board and I know that both of you have loved every second.

So here is to a better second year. A MUCH better year....what do you say?

You watch what you eat, and I promise to stop saying

"we should have got a cat".

deal?

best of friends