with apologies to R. Frost…
the woods were muddy, dreary and deep and I had miles to run before I sleep, miles to run before I sleep…
it was a perfect JI day on the trails yesterday. the mud was ankle deep in some areas, the puddles unavoidable, and the trails were mostly barren (there were only four other people visible on my entire hour run). I ran a course I often run to gauge my fitness. I enter the trails off the multi-use trail near Barren Rd and run a fairly direct path to the gate of the Tyler Arb. on a good day, it takes about 22 minutes to traverse the approx. 5k distance. and then I reverse course and make a few detours on the yellow and white blazed trails. the return path leads me through meadows that in Spring are filled with color- birds flying, wild flowers blooming…this time of year, the meadows are mostly yellowish green and the grass paths are leaf covered in a kaliedoscope of color from the variety of leaves that have fallen. i felt an amazing feeling that often comes over me on the trails at Ridley Creek State Park (RCSP). I thought about all the times I’ve been there, dating back to the late 1980s with my then girlfriend. we would hike the trails and sit on a large rock to chat about the future we thought we’d have, life in general, and we’d check out the beauty of the rolling hills of Delaware County. those great memories have been repeated with friends and lovers and family. there have been many great days of celebrating all that is wonderful in life. yet, there have also been times when I went to those same trails to mourn and contemplate life’s big questions. it is where I went to find solace after several deaths that have touched me in the last 20 years. it is where I went to clear my head after my marriage dissolved and divorce was immenent. I have even, at times, referred to it as Our Lady of the Trails and spent Sunday mornings there rahter than at church. there is a unique oneness with nature and creation that happens when trail-running. it is a feeling that I have cherished for years and continue to enjoy now and in the future.
today, for the first time in weeks, I have been able to run back-to-back one hour (55-60 min) runs. after the trails yesterday, I decided to hit the XC course at rose tree park this afternoon. I ran the perimeter of the park and then the course my team has used for the last three seasons and finished with another loop of the trails and perimeter of the park. the course was not as wet as I thought it would be after three days of rain. there was a car show in the park and the hot rods and customs added some nice scenery to the run. nothing like the smell of motor oil emanating from a great 60s and 70s American muscle car. I like my Honda, would love to drive a bmw or audi, but the great muscle cars produced in this country in the late 60s and early 70s are beyond compare. they look cool, sound cooler and will forever be special to anyone who was a kid during those days. sure, they guzzle gas and were not as safe or aero-dynamic as modern cars. but, they flat out kicked ass.
back-to-back longer run days, with an added hour+ weight training session yesterday, have me feeling a little tired. the rest of the day is going to be a take it easy day…have to go get a few things at the store, but other than that- it is relaxtion time…
run happy…
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