This is the trail that comes off my driveway. It runs parallel to the highway so I can entertain myself by giving semi-trucks the 'Horn signal' while I'm running:) Yes, I make my own games and it has become almost a challenge to see how many honks I can get! Off my right shoulder I am blessed with the views of the gorgeous Gravel Pit Mountain Range....Breathtaking!!
And just a little closer view for the full effect!
This is about as ugly as it gets but has it's benefits in a sense. Every half mile I have to run up and down a road approach which is about the ONLY thing that resembles a hill up in this country.
And if I come back through the gravel pit I get these!
Pictures don't really do these justice as they are TOUGH!
I'm only sharing the trail pictures today. I will follow with flat, desolate, barren, secluded highways, fields, and potentially wild animals at a later time!
Now, how many people are just dying to move here and how many people would like my address to send me a sympathy card?
Truly, this post was in jest! As much as I often long for scenery and paths, and lakes etc., I'm actually quite fond of "MY" ditches! They are "comfortable" to me. I know every tenth of a mile for miles, I know how to pace myself in them, and they're safe! As I was running today, I really started reminiscing about all I've actually accomplished in these ditches; how 2 miles used to be a marathon to me in them; how EVERY facet of my personality has surfaced as they have been under foot; and how they've helped mold me into a different, but better person the last couple of years. I've been on my hands and knees gasping in these ditches, I've cried in frustration in these ditches, I've recited all the lyrics out loud to "Shoop" (Salt n' Peppa)in these ditches. I've become a better mother, I've become a better wife, I've become a better runner......
So, you can all have your mountains, but I'll keep my ditches!!
To HE who makes all things possible, a sincere thankyou for giving me the ability to run, wherever it may be. I am eternally grateful!!
17 comments:
My lunchtime run isn't this bad, but isn't that scenic either. However, like you, I find comfort in the familiar!
Thank you for brightening my day! =D
It looks like I need to plan a trip to MN to run with you to get the full experience! I am most impressed that you run on all that gravel. I know this is the trail edition, but I am curious to see if they have incorporated any pavement into the local scenery. ;) For a while I was driving 1/4 mile to the end of our road just to avoid gravel every day ...haha. That's lazy! Actually, I wanted to keep my shoes clean and didn't want to re-injure my ankle I sprained running through a pothole in the dark.
It's all very breathtaking and I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the second installment! :D (I like the thanks part too)
Honestly, when I train hard, I don't have time to look at my surroundings. Yes, it is great to do trail running right now in gorgeous woods, but when it comes to hard running, give me a road, not too flat, and I am good to go, regardless of my surroundings.
"To HE who makes all things possible, a sincere thankyou for giving me the ability to run, wherever it may be. I am eternally grateful!! " -- AMEN to that sistah!
Wow! You gave me the chills with that last section! Those are YOUR ditches! It really is amazing to look back on the journey of running and see how 2 miles was a HUGE deal! Love the pictures... I always have billy read your posts too because they are always so good!
Salt N Pepa can bring even the most desolate ditch to life! I loved going on your run w/ you... great post!
ok, now i'm going to be singing shoop until midnight...whilst lying in bed trying to sleep...
On your mark, get set, go, let me go, let me shoop
To the next man in the three-piece suit
I spend all my dough, ray me, cutie
Shoop shoop a-doobie like Scoobie Doobie Doo
i'm done.
i love that those ditches have transformed you. i get so full of emotion when i drive near or through any of my routes. there's something about taking a step back and soaking in all that the roads and trails represents.
Wow Jenn, well said. I loved this blog. I tried to go back and copy and pasted the parts of your writing that I enjoyed the most but I found myself highlighting the entire second half of your blog. Your words are a beautiful. I love the whole thing but these words were especially powerful : "I've been on my hands and knees gasping in these ditches, I've cried in frustration in these ditches, I've recited all the lyrics out loud to "Shoop" (Salt n' Peppa)in these ditches."
LOL. looks like a great place to run to me! well, during the day time, and provided no one is hanging out at Gravel Mountain. at least you usually have time to run during the day too!
my runs are usually not very scenic... typically on the sidewalk - either through a couple different subdivisions or along a 4-lane highway! i'm just glad there are enough bathroom stops (or shielded bush-areas) for me to use in case of emergency, and like you said -- the ability to run!
That second picture would make a great Christmas Card! You can thank melater.
I love this post - thanks. It is amazing how comfortable we do get with our most used running routes - truly like a friend in many ways. Thanks for sharing the pics. You are FAST in those ditches.
Thanks for the comment on my blog. Yes, 40 degrees is heaven. Takes us a while to get there, and then just a short time for cold racing. Urgh!
oh, I forgot to mention, I am married to a hunter also. It's funny, in the winter he will tell me it's too cold to run, but he will happily go and sit in a tree in the exact same temps. Ha Ha
A trail is a trail and to have that outside your door is a real benefit. Poor children the world over would LOVE to have that trail and gravel pit where they live.
wow, I have to travel at least 45 minutes to find anything like that! I love it!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, eh?!?! When we're on a mission, scenery doesn't matter - miles do. But I still prefer my mountains to your ditches, though a ditch run with you would be pretty fun!! :)
I think those rocks, hills, dirt and COLD make you the tough chick you are. You ARE tough, too. Despite your cute kids, great hubby and lovely home, you are ONE of the strongest and fiercest women runners in the blog world that I know!! Keep making it tough on yourself, there are many more personal bests in your future, I just know it.
The dead dear hanging from your swing set told me so.
Can you tell I'm trying to get caught up with all my fav peeps? LOL!
Wow, you are a trooper - and to think I've been complaining about my concrete suburbia. I know every tenth of a mile on all my routes. I know every little elvation, every little crack. And I'm sick of them! I keep telling my hubbs we need to move because I am tired of my running routes! Haha!
Nice work girlie - you have come a long way!
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