The day was slow to unfold. I didn’t plan to sleep in late; the time off of work has altered my internal clock. When I finally left the bed, I retreated to the downstairs and spent the morning in my PJ’s reading the blogs and drinking coffee. That was when I discovered that Jeanne was in her PJs too.
I thought of posting about my wasting the day away in my Grandma’s old flannel PJs, but I had a things to do. Running at the open space preserve was at the top of my list.
I exchanged the two small Under Armor shirts that I received as Christmas gifts. They were wonderful gifts however the fact that I sleep in flannel PJs should be a clue that I retain a little modestly. I don’t like the skin-tight look of Under Armor so I settled for a new jogbra and a Nike running shirt with a cool thumb hole thing that keeps the long-sleeve down over your fingers. It was the perfect shirt for this blustery day, so I was off for my run.
I realize that it seems silly to run with music while running in a place so lovely and out in nature. Nothing compares to the sounds of the great outdoors. But I really enjoy running to music, so I brought along myPod with the musical score to the movie “We Are Marshall.” The music was a wonderful match to the beautiful would all around me.
There were people all over the trails as I ran out towards the farm. The looks and smiles that people were giving me indicated an acknowledgement of my peace and happiness to be out there. I guess they were feeling the joy too.
I left civilization behind, as I turned onto the single-track portion of the run. I counted the switchbacks as I made my climb upwards. About halfway up, there was a downed tree blocking the trail. I crawled through the branches to the other side and continued on. My breathing was heavy and my heartrate was rapid as I ascended. I focused on the beauty all around me, and the soothing music coming from myPod. It seemed to work. Before I knew it, I was making the last turn and, therefore, ending the switchbacks.
I examined the trail signs, trying to determine my next move. My foot was holding up nicely and the day was amazing. I headed right in the direction of, what I thought was, the longer way back.
As I made the descent, I began to feel the familiar pounding on the outer edge of my right foot. Again, I focused on the beauty around me and the soothing music. I reminded myself to relax and roll down the hill. It worked. I felt the impact transfer from the outer edge to the heel. Within minutes, I couldn’t feel any foot strike at all.
That was when I hit another cross roads. The sign indicated 0.5 miles back to the farm (civilization), or I could take the trail to the right. I wasn’t ready for the run to end, so I took the trail to the right and ran on.
There was more tree cover in this portion of the trail. The chill made me shiver a bit. I pulled my left sleeve down to the edge of my Garmin, and the right sleeve over my thumb. I also picked up the pace a little bit. It felt good to be running along the green trees all around, with the creek trickling past, and the soft trail under my feet.
I have no idea how far out I was when I met up with the first life form. I slowed to a stop the moment that I saw it ahead of me on the trail. I don’t know if it was a bobcat or mountain lion, but I gave it space. It moved off the trail and went slinking down into the ravine below. I wasn’t sure whether to continue on the trail (it may have been near the top – meaning people), or turn back. I decided to turn back. I turned and slowly jogged away. I hoped that the creature wasn’t following behind or along in the ravine below. I did my best to stay calm and relaxed, trusting that it was enjoying the solitude of the trail as much as I was. As I got farther away, I relaxed and resumed my quicker pace.
By the time I approached the people walking around the farm, I was ready for civilization again. I wasn’t quite ready for the run to end though. I ran back towards, and past the main parking lot, and took the slightly longer way back to the van. Then I basked in the beauty for a bit longer before heading home.
I wanted to run on forever, but in the back of my head, I knew that I shouldn’t. *sigh* I can be thankful that I got a little help keeping my run to a reasonable length.
What a beautiful story! Ya know, that was just one of the things I could never get used to when I was in San Francisco. The hill behind you is beautiful, but the trees always looked so small. Here in the south, more often than not, our mountains and ridges are covered with majestic pines and firs of different types. That is a glorious picture. I need to find Dee Dee one of those shirts. She’s been asking for one, and I wasn’t sure what exactly it was she wanted.
Those are the kind of runs we all wish for. What a wonderful one to almost end the year on, huh?
What a beautiful run and yay for your foot behaving itself.
Yikes on that big cat! Heading away was a great decision.
This is my favorite place to run. It is wonderful and the hills offer a challenging run depending on which trail you take. I was running on a trail that is more frequently traveled by hikers, and runners. It was one that I don’t usually take. I guess that is why I should have told someone that I was running there.
I kept thinking that I had not told anyone where I was going, or even that I was going to be running at all. I had my cell phone, but it doesn’t always work deep into the park. I also have a road ID on my trail shoes (which I was wearing for this run).
I thought of Anne when I was running away from the cat (or perhaps a coyote). I was feeling a mix of being scared and trying not to be. I remember Anne writing that she was not scared when she encountered wildlife on her run – I wanted the same, but I *was* scared (a little).
As for the size of the trees and hills, they probably look small because I was back at my van in the upper parking lot. It’s a little paradise that is minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Silicon Valley.
The run was incredible and I felt great. It was like I never had been injured at all. I loved that feeling.
That sounds like a fantastic run. I think I would have raced back after seeing the “wildlife.” I had a similar encounter with a bear last year & I took off as soon as I saw it!
Wouldn’t it be awsome to feel taht way everytime we went out. I guess it’s the off days that make you appreciate these days so much!
Sounds like you really put your foot to the test, without negative effects. Crossing my fingers for you!
wow, what a great run! You make it sound so easy. I’m glad your foot behaved and that you didn’t get eaten alive. and all hail granny nighties!
“All hail granny nighties!”
beautiful post
and scary creature!!!
I just love those runs. It looks like it was a beautiful day.