mindfirerunner

Friday was poised to be another beautiful Colorado day with temps in the upper 70s. Wow. No complaints here, and no leaving my Brooks whining in the corner of my office. We were going outside!

I started walking down the newly found path I was quickly becoming familiar with since I’d walked it every day last week. But I stopped when I came to where the path divided and split into a dirt path on the left and the same concrete path I’d been taking on the right. Who knew that someone who ran the same route every morning would actually venture from the norm and want to see what was around the corner? I couldn’t resist. I turned left and headed down the dirt path. I couldn’t see around the corner, but every corner I turned was brilliantly clad in sunshine and earth. I was amazed at this hidden trail that seemed to emerge from nowhere. I quickly took pictures and posted to Facebook to share with friends and family and those on campus I knew would love this little enchanted route.

The further I walked the more gasping the scenery became. I crested the top of the path and could see mountain peaks from range to range. Immediately I wished I was in some running shorts instead of a Calvin Klein skirt.

I knew my long run the next morning would be in the dark at 4AM, so I soaked up every ounce of sunshine and warmth to take with me the next morning. With the time change not only would it be dark the whole 12 miles, but it would be a little harder to wake up. I seem to adjust not-so-well to time changes. I woke up, hit the road, and thought about the scenery I stumbled on the day before. I stepped up the pace, got in my groove, and had a song or two to keep me company.

I love to get lost in the outdoors. I think that’s why I enjoy my long runs so much. It’s a chance to get out of the norm, create new memories, and venture onto new paths – only sometimes it doesn’t take a long run to do so…just a lunchtime walk.