Life's little adventures, accompanied by a running watch

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Trails in the Twilight Zone

I get why people run trails instead of roads or in addition to roads.  It’s a different world in the woods; it’s pretty, it’s darker, it never feels the same (even on repeating loops); it’s a different pace.  Time passes by….differently.  It feels like the Twilight Zone.

 For those who are not familiar with The Twilight Zone, Wikipedia describes it best as “a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist".  Yep, that about sums up an 18 mile trail run:

Drama – isn’t any scheduled 18 mile run that happens to fall during a typical hot/humid August day considered drama?

Psychological Thriller – describes the moment deep in the woods when Scott yelled, “OMG!  Bear!  Run!”.  And he was kidding.  Brat.

Fantasy – after 3 hours or so in the heat and humidity maintaining a decent pace, I swear I truly saw a bear (OK, it turned out to be a tree with shadows that growled and showed its teeth).  Hello soaring heart rate.

Science Fiction – describes the hallucinations I would have experienced had I run one more mile today

Suspense – felt this twice after each of Scott’s falls today

Horror – when I thought Scott might be hurt;  not just because I care but also because….how the hell would I find my way out of the woods?!?!?!

Unexpected Twist – is the fact that I LOVED today’s run! 

Despite the humidity, the horseflies, the normal tired legs, and the challenge of the experimental eating-on-the-run, I’m really digging this training.  Having Scott with me is the icing on the cake, the magic in the cap, the twilight in the zone….

Now off to prepare for tomorrow’s long run #2.  Yes folks, the fun never ends when you’re getting it done on the run!

11 comments:

  1. I absolutely love this recap of your run today. LOVE it! Great job!

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  2. I want to try trail running sometime. I think I might wait until fall though-I can't stand the horseflies!!

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    1. We're counting the days 'til the end of horsefly season for sure! On a good note, I swear the humidity helps - the biting beasts almost seem to slide off of us!

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  3. falling, snakes, horseflies, fear of getting lost - these are some of the reasons I stay (mostly) on pavement. I do enjoy the occasional winter (bug/snake free) trail run with friends who know the way in, and OUT. I'm not sure I would ever be a solo trail runner, I'm a wimp! Happy, Happy that you enjoy it. It will make you super strong - bonus!

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    1. I'm definitely honing my "trail feet" so find I"m not falling as frequently as in the early runs. Fear of getting lost is what finds me never running trails alone. I have to have my hubby w/ me. It's just the way it has to be :)

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  4. oh normal tired legs and eating on the run -- i hear ya! great job!

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    1. Thanks Kristy! The eating on the run is probably the most challenging thing right now.

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  5. This was a very fun way to describe your run! I hate horse flies. Great job!

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  6. Loved the recap! Glad to hear your run went well!

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