What a Run Adventure - June 10, 2013

Having experienced a long stretch of time when I would fear each step I trod, this new feeling of good, happy feet is like being unleashed after being imprisoned for a period of time. That being said, in the midst of juggling daily work life, kids' and husband's schedules, trying to reach my daily fitness goal is a challenge. However, I have been sacrificing other things rather than my daily workouts and it makes me much happier as a result, not withstanding the fact that I did shed pounds these last five months after starting to wear my Nike+Fuel belt. Most days I have to be satisfied with a treadmill run because that will be the only way I can get my 12 year old to do any exercise walk to the gym together, he will do his thing, I will run on the treadmill, he will go back home when he is done and I will continue with lots of stuff. Such has been our routine these past 2.5 months. School ended over a week back but I was time bound last week. This week, despite of classes and assignments and children's drop offs/pick ups, I have way more flexibility. So I thought, why not utilize it well by running outside? Park the car in the parking lot where my 12 year old is at summer school, go run and come back in time to pick him up. So, I parked the car, thrilled at all the empty spaces and the freedom to get a trail run in . The day had started out a little chilly and, in fact, I was contemplating getting a light jacket on my way, then deciding that I didn't want to lug it around for the sake of those first few minutes. I don't think I really run any more, just jog, maybe a little more than that but the mental feeling of running is strong. Once I started, it was a heady feeling - the weather was almost perfect, there was nobody on the trail, and I had plenty of time on hand. More than half way down the trail, I encountered person#1. We "hi'd" each other and within seconds, I saw this thing slithering right across the trail. Such a big guy (more than four feet long) that he had occupied almost the entire width of the trail. I was startled for the first fraction of a second. My next - get out the phone and take a shot. Then realizing that this creature really was crossing and wasn't coming toward me, I figured, why not zoom in? So I did, happy with the quality of the photo decided to wait a bit till there was more than a teeny bit of clear trail and started on, thinking to myself - well, this guy that I met didn't indicate in any way to me that he had seen this snake. Either he jumped over it, or really didn't see it - either way it was weird. I didn't move on before taking a photo. Went on to meet three other people and let them know that there was this snake a little further down. They thanked me and I went on. Off I then went on the trail branching off - a newer trail that opened maybe three years back. It is almost always deserted. And sure enough, not only was it deserted, there was this cool wind and perfect temperature that added a touch of bliss while running uphill on this trail. Got to see some beautiful landscapes as you can get rolling views of the bay as well as the hills on the other side. At every step though now I thought I might encounter a snake or a mountain lion that would suddenly pounce at me through the high reeds. I was really relieved to see the horses and some tar, knowing that I was reaching the end of this beautiful but secluded trail. I still had some time so thought I would take the longer way around back to the high school. Part of the route involved running along a highway. It being a Monday, I figured I could run in the bike lane as I hadn't seen any bicyclists riding for pleasure that morning - everyone must be at work. At my very first signal stop where I could cross and then safely run along a walk/run trail on the footpath, I encountered a bicyclist who was exercising on his lunch break. We greeted each other. I was stretching during the wait. At one point I was bending down when he said aloud "Oh, deer!" I heard "Oh, dear!" I looked up to see that he was actually talking about a real deer - it was bizarre - like out of the movies. This deer came bounding out of nowhere, then was about to cross this busy highway just as the signal turned green for those turning left to go along the same direction the deer was heading. The two of us literally watched with bated breathe fearing the deer's safety. He said aloud, "Not a good time for the deer to be crossing the road." The driver of the first car turning left was so busy staring at us who were staring at the deer that she didn't see the deer. I yelled aloud "She is going to kill the deer". And just as we thought we were about to witness her hitting the deer, she turned her head and realized what was a about to happen. That fraction of a second was enough for the deer to run to safety on the other side of the street while she decided to apply her brakes. I think this cyclist and I only breathed after we saw the deer go across unharmed. Hopefully, it made it across fine to its usual surroundings in the hills. Needless, to say the distance that remained between that point and the high school was run with fear, not knowing what might come about next. Fortunately, nothing unusual transpired. I was able to reach the parking lot safely, still hoping that the deer had indeed made it and wondering what would have happened if I had stepped on the snake. At the end of it though, I ran about 7 miles, don't feel like I did and am ready for a treadmill round when I take my son to the gym for a couple more miles. Oh, what a good feeling! p.s. In the attached collage, the bottom picture is that of the deserted trail, with the trail literally giving the impression of climbing the stairway to heaven!