Even though I have a modest aerobic base to build upon, I was reminded (for the third time) this morning how tough and how awesome trail running is compared to level street running. It's a serious business, this stuff. But let me stop and back up a little bit so that you can understand where this came from and where I'm going with it.
Last summer was a tough one for me, and at that time I needed something to put my physical and emotional energy into. I can't remember exactly what made me choose long distance running, as I think I'd set out to just "tone up" by spending time at the gym. I'd given short distances - 5K, 5 mi - a shot a few years prior, and done moderately well for an inexperienced guy in his mid-30s, but I soon burned out and just gave it up. Now in high school I was a hurdler and sprint relay guy, and was often heard saying, "If it takes more than a minute to finish, I'm not going to run it." So I'm not sure what made me decide now to go longer. Maybe it's just an age thing. You know, like some adults out of nowhere start listening to country, jazz, or classical music. Actually, it was probably my purchase of some Vibram Bikila FiveFingers and the Harvard barefoot running article that did it. And of course my interest quickly became a borderline obsession once I read Born to Run by Chris McDougall. From then on, I was determined to run right and run long.
So fast forward a few months and I'm slated to run two significant races: the Rock and Roll half in San Antonio (Nov) and Palo Duro Canyon 20K (Oct). (There were a few shorter distances I had registered for but I had to scratch from those due to a very untimely stress fracture in my foot. Yeah, yeah. TMTS. I know that now.) Anyway, that latter race was my first true trail run and I ran a respectable 9:39 pace. But to this day I can't recall any other physical task in my life that was harder than that run. My legs and feet went from tired to aching to exhausted to pain and then finally an almost numb feeling. I was covered in dirt and body salts and could barely walk after I crossed the finish line. But for the first time in a long time, I felt as if I had beaten back "The Beast" that often whispers in our ear that we're weak and inadequate. That we're not capable or worthy when things look ugly or maybe even impossible.
It was awesome. And I was hooked.
I didn't get to go back out there until this past April when Lone Star Runners Club hosted a 9 miler. This time I was in worse shape than last, so I held back and ran a slower pace and didn't feel as worn out at the finish. As a matter of fact, I felt pretty darn good. Maybe it's because I knew something about the course or that I was a tad more strategic on this attempt. Still, it was far from easy and - for the second time - I was reminded that THIS CRAP IS NO JOKE. But the difficulty scales right along with the enjoyment, thank you very much. I'm never lulled into that monotony daze I get while running roads, catching "runners are such idiots" looks from pretentious pricks as they drive by in their stupid Hummers, blowing acrid cigarette smoke from their cracked windows.
So there you are. A short story made long. I've now been out to the canyon three times to run some fairly technical trails and come away loving it more each time. One thing I appreciated this time though that I somehow missed during the previous two trips was how fortunate I am to live so close to something like Palo Duro Canyon. It's no Rocky Mountains or Washington forest, but I tell you what. It's just as freaking cool it it's own way, and I plan on taking weekly advantage of my access to it. I mean just click on that panorama picture that I took this morning and tell me that doesn't look like it'd be fun to run. And that's just one aspect of the place. There are plenty of trees and hills and rocks and cactus and wildlife and the SMELL. Oh man, the sage and juniper and sumac and mesquite all blended together is way easier to breathe than the shit smell you encounter running past city drainage ditches and port-a-pots. Just sayin'.
Well that's it for now. I'll post again once I get the mental list I made while running all straightened out. It's going to be a heck of a summer, that's for sure.
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