Julie, reading your experience of running in the rain, your focus on the sounds, and your courage to complete 31 plus miles is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your experience in such a visceral, engaging way! I love it!
Hi Betsy! It's so great to hear from you. Thank you so much for your message and for reading. I fell in love with the trail that day...thank goodness. LOL!
Good morning Gary, I'm so happy to hear this post has energized you to head out on the trail with Izzie. Enjoy! I wonder what you will see and hear. :) Thank you for being here with me.
The walk was mostly a quiet one. I can say, with about 90% certainty, that I saw an Osprey, or Fish Hawk, as some say. At a quite high elevation, the sharp “vee” in both wings was unmistakable.
How amazing Gary! Thank you for sharing. I saw 2 red-winged blackbirds on the trail today. They were sitting on the cattails. The red was magnificent to see on this rainy gray day.
Very cool, Julie. Red Wing Blackbirds are regulars at the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge south of us. Their calls are strong, interlaced with occasional warbles.
In poor illumination I struggle to detect red and green reliably. Not totally color blind for those colors. The boldness of the red on their wings, as well as their calls, makes seeing them pretty easy as well as delightful. On a trip to Maine some time ago I remember seeing Gray Jays for the first time. Do they visit your area? No markings of a Blue Jay. More like an oversized catbird. Think of what birds you’ll be seeing on the trails a month from now! Whee!!
The “loneliness of the long distance runner” need not be if we realize we are nature and nature is us. Yes, we are made of the stuff of the Stars and All is Holy.
Nothing you don’t already know and have often experienced as your poetry so beautifully speaks…you are way ahead of the pack. So glad you are blazing more than just running miles Jules.
Jules, congratulations. You achieved “escape velocity” and broke the 26.2 barrier, running gravity free among the stars. Re-fueled by achieving the “impossible “ you return to earth where you “chop wood, carry water” and love your family.
Thank you Clark! What an amazing experience and I'm so grateful I pushed through the resistance and toed the line. P.S. Yoga Nidra was just what I needed yesterday. Thank you so much for sending and my goal is to practice it again today.
I thoroughly enjoy your descriptions. I’m not a runner— it even a marathon walker—but you put me in the place and I see and smell the forest. What a delightful read!
I'm so happy to hear this Cindy. I remember when first starting writing in WIC...I heard so many times show don't tell...it was the best advice ever for me. I'm still working on it but progressing. Thanks again for reading.
That's quite an achievement. At first, I thought you popped 31 miles today and completely blew away any last remnants of that nasty flu. I loved the story, and I look forward to discovering the rest of it!
HA! I'm glad to keep you on your toes Jack! LOL That would have been something. I was happy to get in 40 minutes today. Slowly gaining my energy back. Thank you for reading and your interest. I really appreciate you being here. I hope you are gaining a bit more energy and health each day.
“Pushed through the resistance” is what we all need to figure out in a world of modern convenience. Thank you Jules for doing what is inconvenient and pointing the way. Glad Yoga Nidra is helpful. 🤗
" If I wanted to make it three loops I needed to embrace the idea of walking the steep hills. I left my ego in the car. I walked too. I was new at this. These runners were experienced. They had several trail races and ultras under their belt. I was going to watch and follow their lead." This is such a great piece of learning. Learner mindset, watch those who have the experience and let go of judgement. I am so in awe of you running this distance. What a gift for you to have running to help you through such a painful time.
Thank you so much for this note. Running has been such a gift...I'm grateful it keep me going. I'm so thankful for my body allowing me to run that long too! It's a wonderful memory I have and I'm glad I had such a great expereince my first go at that distance.
Yes! Secret mission 3K run starts in 15 minutes...sshh. :) LOL ( i hope you have a great one too)
Julie, reading your experience of running in the rain, your focus on the sounds, and your courage to complete 31 plus miles is inspiring! Thank you for sharing your experience in such a visceral, engaging way! I love it!
Hi Betsy! It's so great to hear from you. Thank you so much for your message and for reading. I fell in love with the trail that day...thank goodness. LOL!
(It flew away). …positive prompt to hit the morning trail for Izzie and me. May today be just the one you wanted.
Good morning Gary, I'm so happy to hear this post has energized you to head out on the trail with Izzie. Enjoy! I wonder what you will see and hear. :) Thank you for being here with me.
The walk was mostly a quiet one. I can say, with about 90% certainty, that I saw an Osprey, or Fish Hawk, as some say. At a quite high elevation, the sharp “vee” in both wings was unmistakable.
“I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my Spirit carry me”
(The Steve Miller Band)
Not suggesting a wing suit.
How amazing Gary! Thank you for sharing. I saw 2 red-winged blackbirds on the trail today. They were sitting on the cattails. The red was magnificent to see on this rainy gray day.
Very cool, Julie. Red Wing Blackbirds are regulars at the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge south of us. Their calls are strong, interlaced with occasional warbles.
These were the first ones to spot this year! Spring is coming. I'm so happy to know you see them often. They are gorgeous birds.
In poor illumination I struggle to detect red and green reliably. Not totally color blind for those colors. The boldness of the red on their wings, as well as their calls, makes seeing them pretty easy as well as delightful. On a trip to Maine some time ago I remember seeing Gray Jays for the first time. Do they visit your area? No markings of a Blue Jay. More like an oversized catbird. Think of what birds you’ll be seeing on the trails a month from now! Whee!!
We are not alone
And even when we think so
We must “feel” deeper….
The “loneliness of the long distance runner” need not be if we realize we are nature and nature is us. Yes, we are made of the stuff of the Stars and All is Holy.
Good morning Clark, what a beautiful response this morning. Thank you. Have an amazing run/movement session today. :)
Nothing you don’t already know and have often experienced as your poetry so beautifully speaks…you are way ahead of the pack. So glad you are blazing more than just running miles Jules.
Thank you Clark. I'm happy to recognize and continue to grow/learn. Blaze on! :)
🌞🔥🌻💥🌈
At least you “notice”. Most are unaware and wonder why little progress is made…
Keep fighting it Jules. It is an illusion that lets fear win…
Thank you Clark! I'll keep fighting.
No doubt❤️👣❤️
3,2,1 lift off
Ultra running inspires all
Escape Gravity….
Jules, congratulations. You achieved “escape velocity” and broke the 26.2 barrier, running gravity free among the stars. Re-fueled by achieving the “impossible “ you return to earth where you “chop wood, carry water” and love your family.
Thank you Clark! What an amazing experience and I'm so grateful I pushed through the resistance and toed the line. P.S. Yoga Nidra was just what I needed yesterday. Thank you so much for sending and my goal is to practice it again today.
I thoroughly enjoy your descriptions. I’m not a runner— it even a marathon walker—but you put me in the place and I see and smell the forest. What a delightful read!
I'm so happy to hear this Cindy. I remember when first starting writing in WIC...I heard so many times show don't tell...it was the best advice ever for me. I'm still working on it but progressing. Thanks again for reading.
Feels like I am right there with you!
Oh good! I was hoping to pull that off. :) Thank you Claudette for reading.
AWESOME work, Julie - this is such a joyful and inspiring post! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much Rebecca! WE missed you today but I'm sure you were writing along on your end. :)
I sure do. I have the Blue Mountain 30k in Missoula in May. Have a wonderful day my friend.
You rock Beth!! Have a great time and way to go!
Way to Go Jule!! So proud of you.
Good morning Beth!! It's so wonderful to get your message. Thank you so much and hope you and yours are doing well. Any races coming up?
That's quite an achievement. At first, I thought you popped 31 miles today and completely blew away any last remnants of that nasty flu. I loved the story, and I look forward to discovering the rest of it!
HA! I'm glad to keep you on your toes Jack! LOL That would have been something. I was happy to get in 40 minutes today. Slowly gaining my energy back. Thank you for reading and your interest. I really appreciate you being here. I hope you are gaining a bit more energy and health each day.
That was truly an amazing accomplishment Julie!
Thank you Mom. It wouldn't have been possible without you!
Inspiration and honest! Thank you for sharing, Julie. I was with you the whole way.
Thank you so much Sandy for reading and commenting. I truly appreciate you being here. Enjoy your day.
Beyond impressive. 31 miles! Wow! You run girl.
HA! Thank you Tracy! It was a great experience and hope to do 50 miles end of Nov. EEK!
“Pushed through the resistance” is what we all need to figure out in a world of modern convenience. Thank you Jules for doing what is inconvenient and pointing the way. Glad Yoga Nidra is helpful. 🤗
I hear ya Clark. The resistance is there everyday...I'm noticing. I won't let it win today.
" If I wanted to make it three loops I needed to embrace the idea of walking the steep hills. I left my ego in the car. I walked too. I was new at this. These runners were experienced. They had several trail races and ultras under their belt. I was going to watch and follow their lead." This is such a great piece of learning. Learner mindset, watch those who have the experience and let go of judgement. I am so in awe of you running this distance. What a gift for you to have running to help you through such a painful time.
I hope you have a great Secret 3k run today! :)
Good morning Linda,
Thank you so much for this note. Running has been such a gift...I'm grateful it keep me going. I'm so thankful for my body allowing me to run that long too! It's a wonderful memory I have and I'm glad I had such a great expereince my first go at that distance.
Yes! Secret mission 3K run starts in 15 minutes...sshh. :) LOL ( i hope you have a great one too)