TALES FROM THE TRAIL (AND SOMETIMES THE ROAD TOO)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Running on Toward my Year-End Goal

Closing up this year, sadness lingers in my heart still over children murdered while Christmas presents with their names laid beneath the tree.  I am so fortunate to come home and hug my boys.  I am so fortunate to get out on the trails and run past deer, and through fallen leaves on the ground. 

I got caught up for a moment in the things that are right or wrong that caused, or could have prevented the tragedy in Connecticut.  Then I felt guilty for expressing my opinions among heated debaters.  It seemed like arguing about this now was disrespectful to the dead, in a way lessening the families’ pain.  And so, I run.  I won’t argue, and I don’t hate or dislike those with completely opposite opinions as mine.  We are all, after all, wishing this didn’t happen. 

And I run.

And I run, toward my goal of breaking 2,012 miles by the end of the year 2012. 

I will make this quick because I am so tired from working, preparing for Christmas and rushing to get my miles in. (Sure! When have I ever been quick? : )

First, I watched our baby sing in the second grade Christmas program at school this morning.  It was 38 F, and I wore shorts to the program.  I did bring a shawl to wrap around my shoulders while my teeth chattered.  Then I rushed away to mail a package off to Missouri.  I hit the trails late, about 9:30.  Yet, it was still cold, so very, very cold (around 42 F). 

I got in a tough 10 mile run beneath clear skies.  And I still had time afterward to get gas, do some laundry, welcome two of my babies home from school and get ready for work. 

These are the days . . .

A winter-wear trail run (and it’s not yet officially winter):

Climbing Mentally Sensitive Trail (& the layers come off):

Top of Meadows (after running along the ridge from Mentally Sensitive):

Greetings (Again!) from Top of the World.  From here, it’s all downhill (mostly):

Relishing leaf litter as I finish up this run:

Running Mentally Sensitive - Cholla Loop 12-19-2012, Elevation - Distance

6 comments:

  1. I would LOVE to join you on some weekend runs after I'm done with my winter races - February?? The hills are so green already, I bet spring is glorious out there this year.

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    1. Name the day Giraffy. Would love to run with you. Spring is a great time of year, late spring is when I see the rattlers, so I'd recommend early spring if snakes give you the creepies.

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  2. I know I say this every time, but the landscapes are so amazing and I never really get to see them being a "roadie". I'd love to do some off road running and in fact my coach would like me to do so as well but I'm always so pressed for time that the trails I hit are the levee's and bit trails around and through Bolsa Chica.

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    1. You will get some great glute workout running trails Patrick. The only problem I have, is that run such difficult terrain that I've trained myself to run slowly. I'm now adding in road runs in hopes to pick up my speed.

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    1. Isn't it grand to be so close to the Pacific Glenn? Love it.

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