Entries RSSI duck out of the house trying to go undetected by the dogs. I love being on the trail with them, but sometimes I just need my alone time. I crave the feeling of placing my earphones in my ear, choosing a good playlist, adjusting the volume and pressing play. I head for the trail two blocks down the road. By the time I am half way through the first song, my run turns into an ass kicker hill climb, well ass kicker for me anyway. I hate it, but I love it too. It is an obstacle course for me.
Every rock, boulder, exposed tree root or gravel patch reminds me of a game I played with my mom when I was a little girl in the city. We called it “don’t step on the cracks”. There was no point to the game other than to make walking around more fun. This run has to be fun or I won’t do it. The chatter in my mind quiets and I am aware of my heavy breathing and how the music is almost keeping beat with my whole body. An odd affection for the stair-master condition of the trail swells in me. My quads take on any tension that my shoulders might be holding. I look forward to the first drops of sweat to fall. I am amazed at how my body can do what I ask it to do. Each lunge upward sets me free.
