FOR THE FIRE

Fueled by a drive that seldom sleeps, I admit a predilection for extremes. Probably how I found my way to ultra running, yet the path from being a pack a day smoker seems at best circuitous and at worse improbable. In all honesty, I was a high level candidate to die an early, ignominious death. Yet here I am. Thank God. Here I am.

LobLolly Pine Tr.

Today was to be a 12 mile run with tempo work and work it would be as snow fell furiously yesterday afternoon, making my 45 minute treck from @Swiftwick to home a more than 3 hour ordeal. It was highlighted by being stopped by an officer for passing some non-moving vehicles on a hill. I apologized and he was reasonable, along with being irritated.

I took on Bowie Nature Park for my 12 miler, running the Perimeter Trail for a warm up 5 miles, then 2 miles on Loblolly in 13:10, then a recovery mile, and then another 2 miles in 13:32. I finished up shuffling the final 3m taking pictures and admiring creation. The snow kicked up like fine dust. Flecks of rainbow colors shimmered on the white cover from the light that made it through the pines.

I was the first human to run this trail today, fresh tracks. I say human because I followed the path of deer, rabbit, and even a dog or fox at one point. I love being wrapped in the solitude of my own breath.

It was good to get home to my wife and son and stoke a warm fire. I was eager to get my compression socks on and my feet up because Friday I have a 22m trail night run with @Mash.