I had a 2 hour trail run calling me and it did not disappoint. The convertible was parked over by Strawberry Pond with enough water and Gatorade inside.
I just took off and meandered. My plan?? I had none. I full expected to just run wherever my brain and legs decided to take me. I knew that when 120 minutes had gone by, I would be done. The cellphone was inside the car and I had one of those GFTFOTE times. Gone From The Face Of The Earth.
I Lost myself and it was great. I am more and more wrapping my mind and my legs around doing a 50 k trail race and thanks for those that offered advice. Matt, and others. Thanks.
You might recall a post about my love of North Chagrin. This photo looks across the pond. I looped past it three times as my car was parked close and I took in fluids. There was a guy sitting at a picnic table with a cup of coffee and a writing pad. I could not think of a better spot on earth to sit at and let those thoughts spill out onto the page.
Sure enough, when the run was over, I had 5 messages. So much for GFTFOTE. I was supposed to work today but some things were changed and so I was off. Perfect. The Bride and I had a very nice lunch at California Pizza Kitchen...Thai Linguine with some chicken. Sat outside and kept the pace of the world slowed down just a bit.
At home, the new issue of Triathlete was in the mail box. Sam McGlone on the cover.
Editor Mitch Thrower had a neat little piece about plateaus. Its about pushing past the easy stuff you have been doing.. About challenging yourself to reach the next level. Good advice. Don't get me wrong. I love my meandering 2 hour runs and I will keep doing those, but I can change things up and I can be better....at everything I do. Its a great goal.
Kona is coming and the tri-world will focus on the Big Island with its menacing winds and steaming lava fields. Its the Mecca for just about every triathlete. But in time, Meccas can come and go (Witness Yankee Stadium). We all should have a place where all is right with the world and where we can become all that we can be.
Life's a Blast!!
17 comments:
LOL nothing like the ole cell phone to snap you back into reality huh? Oh well, at least you were able to have some private moments to yourself ;-)
Yeah, pushing yourself is important, but there is definitely something to long, meandering runs in a beautiful setting. I will definitely be watching Kona, probably with tissues in hand ;)
Where is this place you speak of?? I would like to live there...sigh!
GFTFOTE... I wanna go there. Where can I get a ticket? :-)
Nothing like a good trail run to clear the mind.
The winter BT race is now open. I think Tanya is limited to 150 runners for everything. Register now!!!
Fall is great in Ohio--when there actually is one!! It's the winters that kill me :-)
You can't beat the runs where you have no agenda other than time, just run aimlessly. Nicely done.
I agree with Kim. Register now so you won't get closed out. I have learned the hard way to bring cell with me always. It has a button on it as well that allows you to turn it off. ha
Being lost in everything while running is the greatest feeling in the world :)
Oh a winter Ultra, you're putting me to shame.
Your day sounds just perfect...glad you had time with the Bride.
I'm going to subscribe to Triathlete, can't decide whether to get Canada Tri or not.
Oh, that sounds like an epic trail run :-) Fall is awesome!!!
Everybody say 'aaaahhhh'.
Your post had so much tranquility to it! I instantly felt more relaxed, even at the thought of a TWO HOUR RUN! Whoa!
I do love the fall. It is sooo nice. Glad you were able to escape the cell phone for a bit!
That GFTFOTE thing is the primary reason I love trail running. There's no feeling like it.
I'm getting geeked about watching Kona, also. It should be awesome.
McGlone is one of my favs! That sounds like a great article going to head to B&N and get it.
Now that Akron has been run, I can say it: hasn't September been a glorious month? I stayed in Cleveland just for the autumn, and I'm being thanked handsomely for it.
It's been great to run in, bike in, race a marathon in... and my vegetable garden is thanking ME with all kinds of food. Does it get better? And North Chagrin, I believe, was made to autumns like this.
north Chagrin is indeed a great place to run
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