Saturday arrived grey and rainy, much like the day before. I was happy I'd chosen to run The Highland Forest 1-2-3, 20 miles through the woods with others, and my son Brindsley joining me for the first loop. I’ll manufacture my own sunshine, as my friend Terri would say.
Given all the rain over the past few weeks and the downpour hitting my windshield as we drove to the race, I knew the trail would be muddy. Despite the small crowd of runners, it was wonderful to see so many smiles as we lined up for our bib numbers.
I'm grateful each time I get to pin a bib number on my chest—it's a celebration of toeing another starting line and moving alongside others. Thank you, body. Thank you, mind.
My goals for this trail run were to test last-minute nutrition strategies for my upcoming 50-mile race this Saturday and to practice my mantras. The steep climbs would provide a good test for this upcoming run.
The one thing I couldn't control was the mud and rain, so I didn't worry about those conditions. (I did make sure my sneakers were laced good and tight.) Instead, I focused on what mattered: nutrition, mantras, spending time with my son, and enjoying the company of fellow runners on the trail.
A mile in, and we were slipping and sliding. Let's see if I can stay upright, I thought. Sections of the trail were ankle to shin deep with mud. The sounds of squish, plunk, and pop as my feet pulled free filled my ears. The trail was talking back with each stride, bringing back memories of cross-country running and my love of mud runs.
It was comical at times—my arms flailing as my feet slid left, then right. I kept my balance and laughed to myself. Then we ran through a section where towering evergreens rose above us, enormous roots crossing the forest floor, and the smell of pine filled the air.
Glorious.
I had the best thought: This is so fun. I feel like a kid in the woods, along the trails, sloshing through the mud.
What a great day to be a runner.
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