Running

Two years ago, I thought I'd never want to be a runner. It just seemed like something I'd hate, even though my Dad enjoys it. Over the last five years, I had gotten interested in surfing and cycling - purchasing my own Klein bike with a bonus, and trading a sweet TV and DVD player for an 8-ft. board. I liked these sports and put some time into them.

I'd have daydreams that all I needed in life was a pair of great jeans, a cool shirt, a beautiful necklace, long-flowing hair, a guitar, an old convertible cadillac, a surfboard, and a bike. I liked the idea of simplifying things. One day I thought, running is probably the most simple sport there is, in terms of what you need. You can do it anywhere, any time. All you need are the shoes. I think that's what got me started.

I thought trail runs would be a cool way to go because of the nature aspect and the softer ground. I was right.

My girlfriend Jenni and I have been training at 6AM on Mondays and Wednesdays, for a Half Marathon in SF soon. In preparation for this big event, I signed up for a 10.5 mile race in Big Basin, which is my third trail race.

Big Basin is California's very first National Park. It is a beautiful park with lots of big redwoods, and although you feel like you've gone to the middle of the earth, it is only one hour from many places in the Bay Area. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=540

Yesterday's race was the hardest run I've done, not only because it was it the farthest I've run, but there were a lot of tough situations - mainly the climbing. We ran up and alongside steep waterfalls, ran uphill for what seemed like forever, got stung by some angry bees at mile 5 (behind my ear - ouch!), and just the constant navigation of tree roots, rocks and tight spaces. My legs are completely sore right now.

But I did have fun, and I'm proud of myself. I even got a 2nd place medal, for being 2nd in my age group.

I thought I'd never want to do a marathon, mostly because I didn't believe I'd ever be able to. But because I feel good about yesterday's run, I'm contemplating signing up for the Big Sur Marathon in April, 2007.

I'd need to keep up and increase my training over the winter. A wonderful movie that I saw the night before Big Basin, will be one of the sources of my inspiration. It's called "Saint Ralph" and I'd recommend it to anyone, as my Dad had recommended it to me.

And now, I will hobble away from my computer.