I’m starting to understand this whole trail running thing. Yes it’s dirty. Yes mosquitos may eat you alive as soon as the sun sets and you’re back at your car. Yes the hills are steep and there are no bathrooms or water fountains, but it’s beautiful. It’s peaceful. It’s calming. Garmin watches and data obsession seem silly out there. No pressure, just run.
Last night I ran with several other ACTIVE employees to raise money for a fellow ACTIVE employee from the Singapore office who was in a horrible car crash the day before her wedding which left her paralyzed from the waist down. The run was held at ACTIVE offices all over the world to raise money to assist with her mounting medical bills. I was glad to be able to help toward a great cause but couldn’t help but feel extremely sad for this unfortunate young woman. The good news is, she is starting to make some recovery and has gained some feeling on one side of her body and she and her fiance are finally getting married soon!
The run was 5 miles and started at a trail head off San Dieguito road. I’ve passed this trail head many times on my long bike rides through Rancho Santa Fe but have never run out there because it’s a bit far from our house (25 minute drive). Mike had already run the 5 mile trail in order to set out the course markers but he was going back at it for a second 5! My new friend Brooke who I got to know at ACTIVEx Endurance Camp was also there (she is also a member of our Ragnar Trail Relay team!) and we ran together for the first couple miles before we hit the first really steep hill and I told her to go ahead (she is a 3:10 marathoner and former college cross country runner). At the turnaround we stopped and took some photos and headed back.
The way back was harder due to extra hills but the sun was setting and the views were GORGEOUS. It nearly felt surreal as I ran through the dusty trails surrounded by near dead but somehow amazingly gorgeous pale-yellow sunflowers. Due to the heat the sunset was spectacular and covered the entire sky. Hot air balloons dotted the sky to add a cherry on top of an already amazing sundae. The photos can’t do it justice.
Although I was working hard to run up and down the dusty hills and dodge rocks and other obstacles, it was so entertaining that there wasn’t anything to complain about. I can tell that these trails are going to make me a stronger, better runner!
Next on the agenda – a trail run with some of our Ragnar Team on Sunday. We’re doing a 6 mile out and back with a waterfall as our turnaround point!
If you are a road runner, do you ever run on trails?
That’s a really sad story. I’m glad she is doing better and has a lot of support from her work!
Gorgeous photos! Trail running is amazing. I think you said it right that garmins and splits just don’t matter out there.
I have a book that I haven’t started yet all about trail running, and the space and freedom of it all. I’ll let you know how it is!
I love trails – they are so much easier on my knees! I’m fairly lucky because I can hit trails pretty easily and usually am on them for at least part of my weekly runs.