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December 30, 2006
The 2006 Round-Up
The following is my Top 10 list of running moments in 2006, in no particular order except for the order in which they popped into my brain.
10. Running to the summit of 10,300+ foot Mt. Washburn here in Yellowstone. Mt. Washburn is a popularly visited summit because of its short trail (between 6 and 7 miles roundtrip) and proximity to the frontcountry. As I ran, I received a huge amount of positive encouragement from hikers out on the trail. The summit of Mt. Washburn is used as a wildfire lookout station in the summer by park rangers. Upon my arrival to the station, I was greeted by the lookout ranger. He was wielding binoculars and complimented me on how hard I was running since I emerged from the treeline and into his view. Finally, the view from the top, a 360 degree view of Yellowstone wilderness, was outstanding and breathtaking. It was an incredible experience, on all accounts.
9. Trail running towards the summit of Electric Peak, 10,900+ feet, here in Yellowstone. We didn't quite make it to the summit, turning back perhaps 50 vertical feet from the top as a result of the technical nature of the route. However, the on-trail experience was incredible. It was a beautiful day; I had great company; we even glimpsed mother and cub grizzly bears as we ran.
8. Glimpsing wolf tracks on trail runs. In my mind, wolves are the quintessential representation of wilderness at Yellowstone. In order for wolf packs to survive and thrive, an ecosystem must be healthy and balanced on all levels. Since their reintroduction more than 10 years ago, the wolves have flourished in Yellowstone, and to me this symbolizes how well this land has thus-far been protected. Glimpsing the reclusive wolf and/or and its sign is a tangible representation of ecosystem health. In the last five months or so, I have seen wolf tracks on trails around my house over half a dozen times. Most recently, two days in a row, on two different trails, I saw fresh wolf prints in fresh snow.
7. My high school boys winning the Montana Class C State Cross Country Championship. Coaching cross country for the last 2 years has been a highly rewarding endeavor. One's own running often dives deep into the realm of selfishness, and coaching others brings the subject of running back into a much more selfless place. I will not soon forget the joy and happiness that they felt as they met their ultimate season goal.
6. Trail running with my sweetie. I've spent a lot of time this year trail running with a particular person who I care a lot about. Much of our relationship has developed out there on the trails, talking the switchbacks, mud holes, tripping rocks, and wildlife by. Additionally, my sweetie is a helluva trail runner, so he's a pretty big source of inspiration in that respect.
5. Running from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other and back again, all at once. I think everyone has got a rope that's oh-so-long, in terms of our physical ability. I also think that most of us have a rope that is much, much longer than we could ever imagine it to be. My experience in the Grand Canyon taught me that I have no idea how long my rope of physical ability really is. I didn't even glimpse the end of it!
4. Learning that elk snort in the woods, whether or not people are around to hear it. A friend and I were chatting our way through a summer trail run when we encountered a snorting elk in the woods. The whole situation, including the nearby hikers who'd unholstered their bear spray think that they were about to come face-to-face with a bear, was highly amusing and still frequently remembered.
3. Getting infinitely schooled at the Beartooth Hill Climb near Red Lodge, MT in June. The Beartooth Highway traces its way from the literal bottom of the Beartooth Mountains to the literal top of the same, and this footrace follows a portion of this highway. The views made me as breathless as the hill climb did, and I was humbled by the effort.
2. Hitting my stride just right at the Grand Teton Trail Marathon in September. Just when I thought I was becoming fatigued in the face of a 7 mile or so uphill climb, I reached some sort of plain of acceptance of extended discomfort and just ran, passing several people in the process, and solidifying my place as the eventual second place female.
1. Finding personal strength and power through running. This doesn't really happen all the time. Sometimes, I feel pretty weak or pretty tired out there when I look up at a big hill I'm supposed to climb. However, many times out there running, whether I'm alone or with others, I'm filled with a sense of strength and power that extends far beyond the running realm and into the rest of my life. Yeah, I admit this is rather cheesy and all, but it has helped me survive a particularly challenging 2006.
Posted by Meghan at December 30, 2006 9:28 PM
Comments
... no it is not cheesy... not even close... hny 2007, corrado and family
Posted by: Anonymous at December 31, 2006 1:43 AM
What an awesome list Meghan! Lots of great memories out there on the trails it seems. I hope 2007 is even better!
Posted by: Beth at December 31, 2006 2:51 PM
The Goblin 50K didn't even make the top 10? That photo of you and those spooky rocks is burned into my mind as something I'd love to do eventually!
Here's to a rewarding and inspirational 2007....and I'm looking forward to hearing about Costa Rica. That totally sounds like the kind of vacation that I'd like to tackle with MY sweetie someday.
Posted by: chelle at January 7, 2007 8:37 PM