Take me home...

Country roads (and trails)  provide endless inspiration for a good, long run.  I find I can lose myself in the quiet solitude - the slap of my shoes on the pavement underpinned by the chirp of the birds and the babble of brooks - and the miles just melt away.

This past weekend, while on travel that took me briefly through my home town, I hit the Headwaters Rail Trail for my long run.  The Headwaters Rail Trail runs from Garrettsville, OH to Mantua, OH and follows the route of the old Cleveland-Mahoning Railroad line.  Incidentally, the last great train robbery occurred on this line at the depot in Garrettsville in 1935 (#coolhistoryfacts #garrettsvilleismorethanlifesavers #moveoverhartcrane).  The crushed gravel trail is growing in popularity for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. 

I grew up crossing this trail, which ran between my grandfather's house and the old pony track behind it, when the trail still held railroad tracks and ties.  I remember crossing the railroad, not just on horseback, but also with packs of friends to the creek to hunt newts and crayfish.  So, coming back and running almost the full eight miles out (and then back) felt a bit nostalgic. 

The run was strong...oh boy was it strong. 

There are days you walk out the door, hit your stride and never look back.  Sunday was one of those days.  The first mile was a bit of a drag which wasn't real surprising...it was on roads through town en route to the trail.  Once I hit the trail, though, everything just clicked into place.  The air was cool, the ground was forgiving, my mind was focused and my body was engaged.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't so focused that I couldn't enjoy the scenery around me.  Brilliant green trees, Queen Anne's lace and daisies dotting the edges of the trail, scenic yet functional barns peaking out from the farms, and the occasional sound of water rumbling over rocks just off the side of the trail.  And the silence broken only by the sound of my shoes and the chirping of the birds.  I couldn't have made up a more peaceful environment in a deep daydream.

Now, it wasn't all fun and games.  I would be remiss if I didn't confess to the pain in my rear that ended up being a horse fly biting in and going for a ride.  Yikes that was a bit painful....and now I've succeeded in causing you to imagine that sight.

All this bucolic bliss gave me additional endurance I didn't know I possessed when I slinked out the door earlier that morning.  Rather than the twelve-mile out and back I planned, I pushed out an extra mile...and got stronger on the second half of my run rather than slowing to exhaustion. 

Swept past the old grist mill downtown

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That is such a great feeling.  When I finish stronger than I start, it gives me confidence that a bad start to a run never has to mean a bad run (though this run didn't have a bad start...it was just a good run that grew great).

I'm so happy to have the opportunity to experience runs like the one on the Headwaters Rail Trail.  Truly, country running helps me find a happy place that settles my training into a comfortable place.  I hope others feel the same about trails like this.  Happy trails!!!

2015 miles to date:  609.12 miles

Observations:  The back pain I was experiencing last week has passed.  I switched to a standing desk at work since it was sitting that increased the pain.  That seemed to help a bit.  I'm still riding the high from Sunday and hope to drive that all the way through to my long run this weekend.

 

Dedicated and determined...

Milestones are important.  They demonstrate forward progress.  They are an acknowledgement of achievement.  They validate and reassure.  Passing by the 500 mile mark (and 600 miles before this weekend is up) evinces my dedication and determination to be a better runner.

I may not be the definition of a dedicated and determined runner.  Sometimes I pass up a run to take the diva and baby K to the playground.  Sometimes a workout session gets sidelined because the office calls.  Sometimes the weather app on my phone tells me it's just too hot outside and I'd rather read a book. 

But here's why I believe I'm the picture of a dedicated and determined runner.  I love running and, no matter what, I always come back to my running shoes.  It's as simple as that. 

That love of running sends me back out in my running shoes time and time again.  The thrill of finishing a race strong...the knowledge that my body and mind work together seamlessly...the setting of and hitting goals...the joy of excitement when my daughter asks how my run went. 

Tying on those running shoes and taking that first step out the door day after day, in cold weather and hot weather (it was near 100 degrees yesterday when I ran), through sickness and during stressful days - that is dedication and determination.

So today, as I head out for yet another hot run, I'm digging deep to find that determination to keep going and relying on my dedication to my sport to push all the way through to the end of the run.  Happy trails!!!

2015 miles to date:  586.86  (I'm still in the hole against where I believe I should be for the year so far, but I'm closing that gap as my monthly mileage totals are back to pushing over 100)

Observations:  Right now I'm battling pain in my SI joint.  This flair up of the old injury happens a couple times a year.  It doesn't stop me from running.  Actually it pushes me out the door because running is one of the few activities that seems to ease the pain...seems contradictory.  It will pass.  It always does.  In the meantime, I'm feeling like I've finally hit my stride for the year and am on an upward trajectory toward hitting my goals.