PERSPECTIVE

I don't know how many times in my life I have gained a new perspective, only to lose it again. I do know it is many. It continues to amaze me how easily we take the blessings in our lives for granted.

Picture this: It is 0330hrs, it has been raining for nearly two weeks and you are climbing out of Makiki Valley via Nahuina. You are tired from weeks of training and you are seriously questioning what you are doing out here, at this time of day, in this weather. As you reach the switchbacks you sink your foot, well above your ankle, into a leptosporotic cocktail of fermented guava, mud, pua'a doo doo, mud, shi shi of at least 31 flavors, more mud, and I am certain numerous other tropical delights. If you are like me, at least on the day I am describing, the silence is broken by a string of explicatives that would have made Bob Murphy blush even back in his submariner days. You see, my plan was to keep my feet dry. I was in no mood for macerated feet.

There are days when I loath our trails. The thought of even a short loop from here-to-there is overwhelming. I just want to run on an even surface, that is reasonably non-technical, and dry, dry, dry. You know, the kind where you can almost take a nap while getting in a good tempo run. Well, my wish has nearly come true.

Over the last week I have been running on trails that approximate the above description. While more challenging than expected, that is semi-technical and hilly, they are very dry. It has been a great experience overall. A completely new area with dozens of miles to explore. I have had a chance to clear my mind and to realize the grattitude I have for the ability to run wherever it may be. But, I am especially grateful for the ability to run (and wallow) on our nasty, muddy, rocky, rooty trails, where it is hard to get in a good nap while finishing your second H.U.R.T. loop.

See you out there!

Brian Wilson

Comments

[Bob McAllaster]

So Brian,
Where are these dry trails you talk about?? Are you going to fill us in or keep us in suspense??