Final Thoughts Before Calico

This weekend I run my first race of 2013. It’s a race I’ve run the past 4 years.  It’s a race that I’ve brought my family along for the past 3 years.  Calico Ghost town is at minimum a 2.5 hour drive away.  So, we will arrive the afternoon before.

Calico is the first “real” trail race I ever ran.  (Though I ran a few shorter ones first, they were in prep for Calico).

Last year, I placed in my age group.  I was in great shape.  And I was delighted.  I don’t expect such results this year.  I’ve put on at least 15 pounds since last year’s race.  I haven’t crossed-trained in a year either.  None of that matters at this moment however.  What I love most about this race is its difficulty.  I love the boulder hopping.  I love the camaraderie between runners. 

I know a lot of runners don’t like desert running.  I love the desert, and running in the desert.  Many think the desert is bland, desolate, lifeless.  It is far from bland.  Yes, it is different.  It is harsh.  But it is not bland.  It is not lifeless.  Colors aren’t so much different shades of green.  They are pink and they are blue.  Life is low to the ground or high in the sky.  And plants, they are survivalists.  They are self-bred to endure.  Just like Wonder woman.  

ANYWAY, because of my weight gain, I didn’t want to deal with the negative self talk that I knew would overwhelm me (because most of my shorts are too tight).  Instead, I told myself:  Redefine yourself!  You are not a fat lady running this race.  You are an Amazon woman, from the island of Amazon, like, oh I don’t know . . .  Wonder Woman.  So what if you are big?  That also means you are strong!

For this race, I went out and bought a running skirt.  YES!  A running skirt.  I never thought I’d run in a skirt.  But oddly, I wanted to feel feminine out there this weekend.  I found the skirt unbelievably comfortable.  Who would have thought???  Of course, it will be cold in the high desert, so I will be wearing capri’s as well.  None of this matters however, I’m just really looking forward to getting out on the trails that got me hooked on trail running.

Tonight it pours rain down here on the coast.  It rained all day today as well.  As such, my local trails are closed.  And so I wait patiently to finally arrive at Calico and get some running in.  I really just want to have fun.  I want to accomplish the task.