It had been four months since I last raced and the itch to commit to something had grown incessant. Following the lead of my running partner, Erin, I signed up for the Santa Cruz Mountains 21K, a trail race from Harvey West, through Pogonip, and deep into Henry Cowell, with two waist-deep river crossings.
Your 8-year-old Can Run a Marathon
Every child should have the opportunity to experience the sense of pride that comes with physical accomplishment. While not every kid will excel at sports such as baseball, soccer or football, all able-bodied kids can run. And most love it.
As writer Christopher McDougal says, “We are born to run.” He describes running as “mankind’s first art, our original first act of inspired creation, … combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion.”
Jump-start January resolutions
It may feel early to begin thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, but now is the perfect time to take action and set your self up for success. By choosing a fitness plan now, you will beat the January rush, have first pick of the services available, and can relax in knowing that you are locked in to start the new year off right. This seemingly daunting task will feel easy and approachable when you follow these simple steps.
Drenched with happiness
“Drenched with happiness after running intervals in the rain with Julia”. This was my husband’s Facebook status last Saturday after an exhilarating run in the woods. Thoroughly soaked and physically worked, we giddily welcomed the first storm of the season. I was perfectly content savoring the experience between the two of us, however, and had trouble understanding why he felt the need to share it on Facebook. He argued that while most people are bundled up in their homes during the stormy weather, we went out and had an incredible adventure. He believed that sharing this with others would inspire them to get out there too.
Barefoot Running Frenzy
I recently started reading Born To Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and The Greatest Race The World Has Never Seen, by Christopher McDougall. From the moment I dove into this book I’ve been itching to get out for a trail run. I read about how the greatest runners in the world run for the love of it; for “sheer joy.” McDougall describes running as “…mankind’s first art, our original act of inspired creation…combining our breath and mind and muscles into fluid self-propulsion over wild terrain.” Who wouldn’t want to run after reading that?
