Trail Running Conversation

So I have my favorite trails, places where I feel out of touch with the world, the only sound is my feet hitting the dirt and my breath.  (Sure some days it sounds like a porn flick with the amount of panting I do)  I connect with nature, ignoring a few houses along the way.

After today's run, I had to stop by a local store for something quick, so rather than showering then running off the mountain, I quickly ducked in Fred's.  There was a very nice older man following me in the store.  The following conversation only happens to me:

"Hello?" Nice old man, noticing my running clothes.
Me, looking around wondering if he is a stalker.  "Um yes?"
"Do you run upper pond creek a lot?"
Me, thinking definitely stalker, "Yes, I do.  I love that run.  It's my favorite. I care mace for the bears."
He smiles at me.  "I've seen you stop a lot on that run.  Keeping the deer away also?"
Me with  a beet red face, "Um yes, keeping the deer away."

Lessons learned:

1.  If you stop to pee in the woods, take better notice of your surroundings.  The people in China only hear you pee if nobody in the woods sees you.

2.  Pick more dense bushes, especially if the skin of your butt hasn't seen the light of day since the beginning of time.

3.  When you think you are all alone and connecting with nature, don't go with the flow unless you cannot hold it until you get back home.

4.  Just because the lights are not on, it doesn't mean no one's home.

5.  And yes, keeping the deer away sounds so much better than the alternative.

Oh well, I guess he was grateful his azalea bushes hadn't been eaten this spring.  And I'm glad I've included squats in my daily workout otherwise the poor dude would have his property up for sale.

WTF - What was I thinking

Ever think, man that sounds like a good idea.....then two days later start having panic attacks about it?

Yep.  Sitting right in the middle of one.


I got the call from a friend of mine, I remember it distinctly:

"You're a runner right?"

"Yep."

"Want to run the Blue Ridge Relay with a team?"

"Sure sounds like a great idea!  Count me in!"

Here's why I should have thought about this.


I don't know a single person on my team.  I'm the last minute throw in.

Don't ever go and google Blue Ridge Relay because it will turn out like webMD, you'll find all kinds of articles about cramping, and water, and running, and getting suicidal on the way.

What happened to all the energy gels I had sitting around the house?

Oh great, and now it is pouring.

So I'm lacing up my shoes, hoping that people I don't know will recognize who I am as someone hands a baton to me for my first leg of the run.

Heaven help me.

Next time slap me when someone starts a conversation with, "You're a runner right?

Just a run through the woods

There is no other place like the mountains of North Carolina.  Running is my meditation, time when I can be alone with my thoughts, some great music, and beautiful sights.  Here's some views from the road today.

 Things like this make me stop and pause - Beautiful colors of fire while the cool air surrounds, I continue on.

 The leaves look like they will fall quickly this year from so much rain.  I am blessed with this vista as I start a hill climb, it gives me energy to keep going.

 But the view from the top makes it so worth it.  The clouds moved slowly across our ridge, touching the trees as they went.  Some run for the sport - I run for the sights.

 I even had a visitor.  He didn't move as I got closer and closer to him, snapping pictures along the way.  Only once I had passed did I see the Doe and the baby down the hill and out of sight but under his protection.

It may not have been my fastest run but sometimes when you slow down and really look, you can see beauty all around you.

Be inspired.