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August 14, 2006
Oh To Be a Kid Again!
No, nevermind, just kidding. I'm pretty sure that I would die if you were to stuff me within the confines of teenager-hood and a high school. I barely made it through the first time! As I creep up upon my 28th birthday in several days, I sometimes wonder where the all those hours, days, years have gone. I mean, they are just, just.... GONE!
Cross-country practice started today. This is my second season of coaching the local middle school and high school cross-country team. As I interacted with this groups of kids today, I will admit that the teeniest, tiny-est part of me wondered what life would be like if it were again simplified to the level at which these kids live. Then again, perhaps the complications of being a pre-teen or a teenager are complex and crazy in their own right. I don't know, but stories of their simple, lovely, innocent summer vacations sounded ridiculously delightful.
Ok, here is Step #1 of The Plan, a trail marathon. This will be my first venture into a real (read: trail race of any significant distance) trail race. Who knows, there's a slight chance that I might kill myself out there. I hope it's hard, and I hope it hurts, but I also hope I like being out there, a lot.
I did a most magnificent run on Sunday: I started at the bottom of the Eagle Creek Road, a forest service road near my house. It climbed and climbed, switchbacking itself up the shoulder of a mountain whose name I don't know. A cool front had crossed through the night before, so the skies were cloudless and the temperatures were cool, perfect weather for a long run. June and I traced the road up the mountainside, and I was completely distracted by the view. I think I could actually see the roof of my house, way out there and way below me. We crossed several creeks along the way, and the dog went creek swimming at each of them. It was difficult to discern who was happier, her or I.
Today, a 1 hour trail run alongside the Gardner River and Lava Creek. These water courses were chock-filled will fly fisherman in waist-high waders, and presumably some trout as well. I didn't have the heart to tell them that now, during the middle of the summer, they really don't need waist-high waders to fly fish in these waters. Instead, I just chuckled and ran on. I also ran a few garbage miles with my cross-country team later on.
Posted by Meghan at August 14, 2006 6:45 PM
Comments
Apparently you're ignoring my entry where I recapped the 4 mile trail race that destroyed me!! However, I think you've got an advantage in that you're training properly :) I'm sure that will carry you through! Go get 'em!
Posted by: Audrey at August 14, 2006 8:05 PM
The trail marathon sounds so cool - I hope it goes really well!!
Posted by: barb at August 15, 2006 9:42 AM
aha, the Plan partially revealed... hmmm, this is going to be a I-can't-log-off kinda deal...
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at August 15, 2006 12:17 PM
Sometimes it would be nice to go back to the days where life seemed to be viewed through rose colored glasses. But then again, adolescence - out of control hormones - cliques - not so much.
The areas that you describe sound spectacular. What great places to run.
Posted by: D. at August 15, 2006 1:20 PM
that is so exciting, meghan! i can't wait to read the fun race recap. i hope you love it out there, too.
best wishes for a great season with the kids, too!
Posted by: jeff at August 15, 2006 1:47 PM
Sounds like a great race! I don't now who could be better trained for a trail marathon either! Can't wait to hear all about it...
I sometimes wish I was back in HS too...how simple life was. But then I can also remember being really worried about things like getting into college and choosing what I wanted to do with my life!! How would I pay for school? And would I ever pass my driver's exam to get my lisense? :)
Posted by: Beth at August 17, 2006 5:36 PM