Leisurely autumn romp
Today’s Run...
...was cool, quiet, unhurried, and so very autumnal. When I first stepped out of the car at Thumb Butte trailhead, it felt cold. Like, “oh shoot, maybe I should’ve worn tights” kind of cold. My 20 years of running immediately reminded me that this sort of cold start feels fine after a mile. And true to experience, it was a perfect fall day out on the trail.
I was on my own today, aiming for 9-10 miles at a “I can run forever” pace, which, lately, is about the only pace I’ve got. After a few sunny days post-storm, I didn’t expect so much water on the trail or so many downed trees. My leisurely ramble through the forest included navigating creek crossings, prancing daintily through sandy mud, and crawling over large tree trunks, likely blown down by our recent fierce wind.
Once upon a time, the abundant obstacles might have annoyed me. I can picture myself swearing at the frequent interruptions and lamenting the drop in average pace, fearing a loss of fitness and fewer miles covered: a waste of a training day. And those things did - do - satisfy me. Pushing hard, sweating buckets, feeling spent at the end of a run are all signs in my head that I’ve accomplished something, that I *can do things*.
Today I *did things*. I spent nine miles marveling at the giant tarantula I almost stepped on about ten minutes in; I exchanged comradely smiles with other humans out enjoying the fall weather; I kept my heart rate low and my angry hamstring in check; I paused to take a picture of a ridiculously large custom van-like camper to show Paul (and got caught when the owner’s dog barked at me); I slipped at the last creek crossing, filling my shoes for a final mile of noisy slopping; I slid myself down off the steep side of the single-track to make room for horses wearing sun goggles to pass; I mourned the lack of colors yet on display and noted, optimistically, to return in another week.
Back at the parking area, the wind had started up, and as I peeled off my soaked socks I decided to feel full. Sometimes it’s a decision: to decide it’s enough, to believe I’m enough, that I’ve done enough. And anyway, I still had a visit to the bakery and a stop at the library while in town. Nothing like a soulful, woodsy romp, fresh sourdough, and new reading to nourish this girl’s spirit.
