Trail running for the WIN!!!

Well, not literally for the win...and not really running either:-)

Joseph and I ran the Devils Den 3 mile trail run Saturday. It was a great day for it. Slightly overcast but warm and dry. I had been looking forward to this race for a few months. Why? Well, when we ran the Muskogee WaterLoop, I discovered that trail running was fun and invigorating. Its the kind of race where I don't worry about how long its taking me. I don't worry about getting a PR (personal record) because, unless you run the exact same course again, there is no precedent to beat. Each trail run is different. Some are rockier, some are more of a hike than a run. But they are all fun. Well, okay, I've only ran two of them, but they were both fun:-) Nothing makes me feel more alive than using the body that God gave me to run amongst the beauty he created.

My mind jumps all over the place when I run a trail run because it doesn't have to focus on results. Here is some of my thoughts while I was running:

Time to line up. This is going to be a blast. Music or no music? How about just one earbud, the best of both worlds. Whistle blows (yes, whistle) annnd we're off! Man, there really needs to be more places to park. I almost just hit that car! HA! Okay, here we go, there is the trail head. This is gonna be so fun!!! Wait, why are we slowing down? Oh, yeah because the trail is very narrow and we are basically in single file. That looks kinda neat. Hmmm...small scale exodus would probably look a little like this. Cool. Oh hey there's Joey. He's way up there. Up...there...crap...fear of heights...forgot about that...this should be interesting. I wish we could go a little faster. Ha, I probably won't be thinking that later. Oh good, we're speeding up...oh wait, no not so much. Hey that would be a good spot for some family pics...if we could get up here without breaking a sweat...not likely. Speeding up again, wooohooo. Ouch, my calves are starting to feel this. Its a good thing I'm stronger since I started G-Fit! Oops, watch your feet, no wait don't look down, not a good idea. Oh no, someone got hurt! "Do you guys have a phone signal?" {Yep but its going straight to voicemail, but someone is running back to get help.} "Okay. Good luck...oh hey you might want to get that shoe off. That ankle is swelling pretty fast." {No, I'm a doctor and we are just going to leave that right where its at.} "Oh good, so you know what you are doing." [And I'm a nurse and I've done this to this ankle before.] "Good then." Back to thinking: not to be rude but if you've done this before why in the world are you running a trail run with no ankle brace on? Hmmm oh well, they seem to have it handled. Hey this must be the look out someone was talking about. Picture? definitely not! That would require getting closer...debilitating fear of heights, remember? Oh, yeah, better keep going then. Pretty though. Glance back...do a double take...WHAT??? What in the world are Mr I'm a Doctor and Miss I've Done this Before doing????? Is he really going to try to piggy back her back to base camp (base camp, hehehe what is this? Vertical Limit?)??? No, wait they are coming this way. What? No go back the way we came, you are only a mile in! What are you doing? Just keep going Kacey, they so obviously know what they are doing...obviously. Okay peeps, this is fun and all but y'all are a tad too slow. Excuse me. Thanks! The leaves are so pretty. Shoot! They are covering some of the rocks...maybe not so pretty, be careful. Up, up, up....where's the rope from the Water loop? That would come in handy. Which way? Oh, there's the little sign, cool. Up, up, stumble, up. Whew finally level. Time to really run. Well that didn't last long. I love nature...what in Hades is that awful smell...Can I get around you please? Thanks! "You guys are doing great, keep it up!" Down, Down, switch back, down. Hey I recognize this. We must be back on the original trail. Sweet! OW!!!!! Hurt ankle, just keep going. Work it out. Slow down a little bit. Awww a cute older couple hiking up the trail. What a great way to spend time together. Oh that's the road, almost done. Aweso......woah! Check for cars... oh they are waiting, cool. Pavement...jog, jog, jog....what am I doing?!?!?!?! This is pavement!!!! RUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNUUUUUNNNNN!!!!! Finish line here I come!

48 minutes. Not so bad! How did you do Joey? What?!?!?!?!?! 34 minutes? That's insane!!! What did you do? Jump down? Basically? Wow! I'm impressed. I need a cookie:-)

And there you have it folks. A look into my crazy mind:-)