Well its been almost two weeks now since our trip to Estes Park and the reality that I live in a sub tropical rainforest is slowly starting to sink back in. Dog days like these make it awefully hard to enjoy what you love to do. Still somehow yesterday I managed to drag my butt out of bed at 3:30 in the a.m. and headed over to Shawnee Mission Park to run with my good friends Paul Schoenlaub and Stuart Johnson. Also joining us for our run bright and early was Paul's friend Cindy and Stuarts wife Deb.
Its been almost six years since I've run out at the SMP and I was amazed to see all the improvements that have been made to the trail system. A lot of hard work has been done by a lot of dedicated folks in keeping theses trails alive.
We started running around 5:15. Heading out on the road as it was still dark out. Stuart also wanted to give us some time so that when we did hit the trails the spiderwebs would be knocked down by the mountain bikers. After about 1:30 hrs of being on the road I was chomping at the bit to get on the trails. Paul jokingly asked how many miles I had put in on roads this year? I responded. "Counting the roads today; almost nine miles." Everbody had a good chuckle at my response.
We finished up the second 4.5 mile loop on the road and it was time to hit the trail. I told everyone that I'd lead out on the trail and catch any of the spider webs that were left. They all agreed and it was finally time to get dirty. Once on the trail I found myself feeling lost. I wasn't ofcourse its just that its funny how things change from what you remember. One of the things I remembered is that these trails seemed to be harder six years ago. To my suprise they felt much easier and the trail effortlessly rolled away under my feet.
I was really happy that I decided to run with Paul and Stuart. They always have a way of making a long slow run go by quickly. It was no time at all and we had already run for six hours. A run I would have definately not done had I been alone. Just like Trail Nerd Kyle Amos told me a couple of months ago. I just need to get out and run trails with people who love to run trails. So True...
I know a few posts back I had made all these plans to run certain races. Thinking thats what I needed to get myself out of this funk I'm in. The truth is though that I just need to run. I'll still race but to plan for a race and all the pressure that comes along with it is something I'd rather do without right now. I'm gonna train with no pressure and if I feel good when certain races come around then I'll do it. If I don't then maybe some other time.
Happy Trails, and May the Forest Be With You.
Its been almost six years since I've run out at the SMP and I was amazed to see all the improvements that have been made to the trail system. A lot of hard work has been done by a lot of dedicated folks in keeping theses trails alive.
We started running around 5:15. Heading out on the road as it was still dark out. Stuart also wanted to give us some time so that when we did hit the trails the spiderwebs would be knocked down by the mountain bikers. After about 1:30 hrs of being on the road I was chomping at the bit to get on the trails. Paul jokingly asked how many miles I had put in on roads this year? I responded. "Counting the roads today; almost nine miles." Everbody had a good chuckle at my response.
We finished up the second 4.5 mile loop on the road and it was time to hit the trail. I told everyone that I'd lead out on the trail and catch any of the spider webs that were left. They all agreed and it was finally time to get dirty. Once on the trail I found myself feeling lost. I wasn't ofcourse its just that its funny how things change from what you remember. One of the things I remembered is that these trails seemed to be harder six years ago. To my suprise they felt much easier and the trail effortlessly rolled away under my feet.
I was really happy that I decided to run with Paul and Stuart. They always have a way of making a long slow run go by quickly. It was no time at all and we had already run for six hours. A run I would have definately not done had I been alone. Just like Trail Nerd Kyle Amos told me a couple of months ago. I just need to get out and run trails with people who love to run trails. So True...
I know a few posts back I had made all these plans to run certain races. Thinking thats what I needed to get myself out of this funk I'm in. The truth is though that I just need to run. I'll still race but to plan for a race and all the pressure that comes along with it is something I'd rather do without right now. I'm gonna train with no pressure and if I feel good when certain races come around then I'll do it. If I don't then maybe some other time.
Happy Trails, and May the Forest Be With You.
