New Horizons

Last weekend I went running with my two best friends. It was great fun and I was happy to see both of them enjoy my favorite trail just as much as I do. I got to show them everything trail running, even how to stumble and fall.

Was it graceful and a superb example? Honestly, I have no idea, because I can't remember how I fell. All I remember is that on the way down I was contemplating the best way to catch myself and by the time I hit the ground, I was laughing internally about my stupidity. I must have been inspiring though, because both of my friends tried to imitate and might I say, even tried to outdo me in my fall. Didn't quite hit the tree there, Erin and Dave didn't make it all the way to the ground either :-) Thank you for joining me on the run. I hope after my thoughts out loud here, you will do it again.

Today I meant to go running in the morning, but we were awoken by thunderstorms that lasted a good portion of the morning. So I had to switch things up and plan for a run in the afternoon. That meant more time to get nervous and think about the fact that my longer runs from this point forward are venturing out further than I have ever run before. I almost psyched myself out before it was time to go, but I just put my fingers in my ears and went "lalala", so I wouldn't listen to my own thoughts and went out the door.

Because the marathon I am training for will not be on trails, I now have to put some asphalt running back into my training, which to be honest, I am not too excited about at this point. So I decided to create a 14 mile run for myself today that incorporated both paved biking trails and a run along my favorite hiking trail in my absolutely favorite park. I started out running 3 miles on a paved biking trail. The sun was hammering down on the pavement and it didn't take long to feel sweaty and just a little uncomfortable. The weirdest thing about this run was that I was the only runner among tons of families out for a bike ride. They all seemed to look at me funny, but I just smiled and nodded and imagined that they were just all astonished that I was doing the distance on foot instead of on a bike and that they were glad they didn't have to be me. I switched from a side road biking trail to the major biking trail that I think I could take all the way to Madison if I would feel so inclined (which at this point I do not, just in case you were wondering).

The Ice Age Trail, my favorite long distance hiking trail in this area, turns off from the bike trail into Lapham Peak State Park. I was quite happy to take a turn from the bike trail and enter into single lane hiking trial mode. Because of the rainy morning not many people were out hiking.

I took some sections a little slower as the rocks were still really wet and I didn't want to add to the fall from last week. Being baptized into trail running once is enough for at least a little while (I can save the bloody knees and hands for the next trail race, because I am sure then it will look tough...). Now I felt like I was back at home. I took the trail the whole way through the park and out the back end.

A quick wave to the car that was parked at the other end of the park and then I ignored it as I ran by to continue my journey. I didn't want it to get too excited and give me a disappointed look if I didn't stop - like my daughter when I don't do exactly what she wants me to do. If I would have seen that look on the car, I might have changed my mind about continuing. But I knew it would get over the hurt by the time I return and so I kept going.

Although this continuing route is still the Ice Age Trail at this point it joints paths with yet another biking trail (there are tons of those around in this area). The scenery here was completely different. Roads, cars, and even some cute little restaurants to run by.

When I finished the 14 miles and got back in the car after stretching out (I was afraid that if I didn't stretch, I wouldn't be able to bend my knees and I wasn't sure the police officer would buy my story, if I get pulled over for speeding), all I wanted is to go home and get myself a high five from the little one and Homebody. I had to beg for the high five, but it still felt good.