“I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things... I play with leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” - Leo F. Buscaglia
This past Saturday, I ran my 4th Run at the Rock 7-mile trail race.
I always love this race...at the finish line.
At the start line each year, I inevitably find myself FREEZING, endlessly debating clothing choices until the gun goes off, recollecting how hard this trail is, and wondering just how long it would take me to find a nice cup of hot coffee and warm cozy booth in which to gorge on brunch instead of completing the run ahead.
Nonetheless, I ran the darn thing again this year, again with my sister Rachel (and our dear friend Brooks Anne), and again I thoroughly enjoyed just about every second of it.
My intention this year was to simply to run in the woods, to spend time with friends, to play.
Mission accomplished.
Although it took me a good three of the seven miles to really feel warmed up, the singletrack trail was challenging, but not as difficult as it's been in years past. We enjoyed a conversational pace when we could think about something other than not tripping on the myriad of roots and rocks. We noticed the beautiful winter scenery. We grunted up the hills and congratulated each other at the finish -- where the traditional Run at the Rock soup tent was waiting.
My time was my second fastest of the four years I've run - although given where the race has always fallen in the calendar and my current life priorities, this race has never really been about time for me. Instead it's about being in the moment (which the terrain really requires!), breathing deeply (which is often difficult given the hills!), and feeling vibrantly alive. Thank you again, running.
2006 1:19:40
2007 1:07:45
2009 1:25:46
2010 1:18:21
No comments:
Post a Comment