Lets Talk Running
I found running late in life.
Not just running, but trail running.
For a large portion of my life, I related running to punishment. Growing up, I had soccer coaches use running as a form of punishment for losing or not completing drills. Even my swim coach would make us run a lap around the school when our splits weren’t on point.
This relationship to running carried me through high school and into college until I discovered trail running at 22.
My first strides were on the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay campus. The university built a network of trails overlooking small ponds, wooded pines, a golf course, and the Lake Michigan shoreline. The UWGB trail system became my place to get away among the stresses of an undergrad program.
But as life kept pushing me along, I ultimately lost the drive to run and did not return to the stride until re-locating to Juneau Alaska.
In Juneau, I found short runs to my bread and better. Runs that no one knew where I went but just felt good complete. They were all short distance but were accessed right off the UA Southeast campus. I wish I had used a watch back then…
At this point in life, I was not focused on my physical fitness. Rather just finishing strong and finding a job post graduation. I used running as a once in a while thing to change up my routine. But generally speaking, I ran infrequently during my university years but loved every chance I got out.
After graduation, I re-ignited an ember that has now turned into a flame.
Over the last three years I re-discovered the joys of trail running and have begun a relentless pursuit to make up for lost time (a common trend in all facets of my life right now.)
My capacity to run longer has grown. My ambition to push past limits has grown. I am fast approaching 27 years old and I feel like I just started my life’s work.
None the less, I have been taking my love of running to new heights. Some days a run is just a run, but other days it’s the biggest highlight of my life.
Running is my freedom.
Freedom to leave the bullshit. Freedom to escape reality. Freedom to have gravity push you down just so you can get back up and push it back. Running is my release.
Following the headlamps light during a blizzard because their ain’t no rest for the wicked.
Patiently waiting for my family to finish their first Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Cedarburg Wisconsin
