Running roads, running trails, Reflecting.: Running with new friends

Monday, July 28, 2014

Running with new friends

For me, the most fun and memorable runs have been those experienced with new friends.
What makes them even better is when the run with these new friends is someplace they have not run before, AND what makes it even MORE exciting is when that place is Hill Country State Natural Area. 10 miles south of Bandera Texas HCSNA is a very Rugged, Rocky, beautiful, Rocky, Hilly, Rocky, desolate park. No water here, no shelters, no paved roads, but there are beautiful views from hilltops and many trails littered with Sotol Cactus that bite at your legs. Did I mention it was rocky? An accomplished trail runner from the Rockies who was here for a race years ago said HCSNA was the place where rocks go to die.
Last Saturday I had the privilege of showing some new friends the trails at HCSNA, or as we refer to it, Bandera.
Mari loved the scenery, enjoyed the many birds, ran well, but after the first loop had enough of the tough climbs and relentless rocks. She'll be back though.
Chris and Jeremy loved it as well but were "humbled" by the difficult technical terrain. Chris referred to it as "Delightfully Painful."
Everyone was smiling all the while. I enjoyed pointing out the trails and leading the way. This is what makes trail running with friends so much fun.
What keeps me coming back.

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Why I Run

In reference to my running, I am often asked, "why do you do this?"
After contemplating the question.........................
I run for my Father. my Father who too late in life realized he wasn't invincible. My Father smoked for 40 years and did not always eat well. When he contracted Myastinia Gravis and Diabetes he was forced to change his lifestyle. An illness that doctors thought would take his life in 2 years was held at bay for 10! By eating well and exercising, my Father was able to hang around a little while longer. He knew I was on to something when I began long distance running. On many of my runs I still hear him saying to me "keep it up son, don't ever stop"
I run for my son Matthew, who left us too soon. He was almost 14 yrs old. I run for him because he no longer can. I feel him and talk to him on many of my runs. Before he left he had begun to be aware of his large physique and was trying to stay fit. 4 years earlier I entered him in his first race. He came in last in a field of about 25 kids, but he never stopped trying to run as fast as he could. I will always remember the smile on his face as he crossed the finish line while his name was announced over the loudspeaker. One day I will see him again. Until then I carry him with me on my runs.
I run for my friends and family. Not only those I run with now, but also those I hope to run with in the future. Those I run with with now help me as much or more than I think I help them. Running friends help to motivate me. We share stories, aches, pains,laughter, and encourage and congratulate each other. Those I hope to run with in the future are family and friends who are in need of someone to motivate them. People who know they need exercise but need that little push. I try to help them stop finding excuses and putting up barriers that keep them from walking,running and just plain exercising.
I run for myself. As a child I was always physically active. As a young adult I smoked for 16 years, did not have a healthy diet and sat watching television for hours on end. At age 27 (with a push from my brother Andy) I became active again and began associating with active people. Soon I was playing team sports, and biking, golfing, running. This change in lifestyle helped me to make better nutrition choices for better performance.
The human body is meant to move! A fit body functions better and lasts longer. I don't want to live forever, but as long as I am here I wish to feel my best. Running clears the mind, flushes toxins from the body and allows us to enjoy nature and relate to friends and Family who run with us, in person, or in our hearts.

Running roads, running trails, Reflecting.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Running with new friends

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Paul leading the way on the North Kaibab Trail_The Grand Canyon