Millions of people will never see the spectacular sights you can see when you run on trails. This ultrarunning video by Matt Hart, member of the Montrail National Ultrarunning Team, illustrates some of the reasons why I love trail running…You have to see it.

Last week as I was running along the Crestline trail in the Boise foothills, I came upon a most unusual sight (for me at least) – thousands of sheep! They were on the trail, down in the valley, on the hillsides. They were everywhere!

When I run the foothills alone, I generally take my cell phone with me (just in case I fall down a steep hillside), so I was thrilled that I could get some photos of this spectacular sight. I saw a man and his dog coming up the trail, and he told me that this is an annual occurrence – “the trailing of the sheep” – from the lower elevations of southern Idaho all the way to Ketchum.

I did a little research on this and I found that since the early part of the century, sheep migrate north each spring from the lower elevations of the Snake River plain of Southern Idaho, traveling in bands of around 1,500 sheep, through the Wood River Valley to summer high mountain pastures. This traditional route takes them up Highway 75 through newly populated, residential areas and the towns of Bellevue, Hailey and Ketchum. Some continue their journey over Galena summit into the Sawtooth Mountains. In the fall, the animals retrace this trail south to desert fields. Every fall in Ketchum and Hailey, they hold a huge Trailing of the Sheep Festival as the sheep make their way back to the south. This year, the festival is October 9-11.

I felt so fortunate to see something that most people have never seen nor will ever see. I was definitely in the right place at the right time. Running can take you to amazing places – I love running the trails and hills around Boise, and I love seeing the deer, fox, coyotes…and now sheep!

What a terrific day! The Prickly Pear 50K was even better than I had expected – and harder than I expected. Each race has a personality of its own, and the Prickly Pear 50K was no exception.

I left Boise Friday morning with snow on the ground – I arrived in San Antonio to 80+ degree temperature and lots of humidity. What a shock to the system! But I wasn’t complaining – I was so happy to be able to run without 3 layers of clothes. I met up with my friend Isabelle (from Ithaca, NY) who was also running the 50K, and we went to check out the course. Even walking the first 3/4 mile of the course, we figured it could be tricky in some spots given the rocks and roots we saw. But the first section was just a tiny snapshot of what was to come.

Ten minutes before the start, the race director gathered the troops for a pre-race briefing. The highlight of his talk for me was his advice: “The rattlesnakes are waking up after winter…just be on the lookout for snakes on the path.” Fun! I wasn’t too concerned though because I figured since I wasn’t going to be in the first half of runners coming through, the snakes would get the heck out of there before I got to that part on the trail. (more…)

When I was growing up and things seemed to go wrong, my mama would always say: “If everyone put their troubles in a pile for everyone to choose from, you would probably want to pull your own back out. Your problems don’t seem nearly as bad when you look around and see what others are going through.”

Her philosophy was simple but true. I’ve learned to focus on what I have rather than what I don’t have. I learned to look for the “silver lining” in things that seem really bad. And I’ve learned to ask, “What is the opportunity in this?”

Last week, I hurt my hand while I was cross-country skiing. I had some x-rays done, and nothing is broken, but I was referred to a hand specialist. I’ve been to the hand doc twice in the past week, and he definitively determined today that I have a ruptured ulnar collateral ligament, commonly known as skiier’s thumb. So tomorrow, I’m having surgery to repair the damaged ligament.

The catch is this: (more…)

Early last week, I took Mark (and Fremont) to the upper trailhead of Hulls Gulch in the foothills above Boise. They had never been there, and I wanted them to experience the trails during the winter (I plan to take them back when the snow melts for a totally different experience).

Still quite a bit of snow on the trails, I had to be careful not to slide down the ravine. (I did, however, slip down once and flew head first into a snow-covered bush, but no harm done.)  I did manage to get in a beautiful 5-mile run while Mark and Fremont hiked the clearer sections of the trail.

Every time I run in Hulls Gulch, I experience such a sense of serenity. Usually the only one on the path at that time, I am surrounded by the vastness of nature and feel a true connection with the natural world. A couple of times, I have seen coyotes crossing the trail or running up the side of the mountain. It is quite a moving experience.

Normally, I run without my glasses, but on this particular day, I had my glasses on, and I was able to read a couple of the poems that are posted on the trail. I especially liked “Coyote” by William Stafford:

My left hindfoot
Steps

in the track of my right
forefoot

and my hind-right
foot

steps
in the track of my
fore-left
foot

and so on, for miles—

Me paying no attention, while
my nose rides along letting
the full report, the
whole blast of the countryside
come along toward me
on rollers of scent, and—
I come home with a chicken or
a rabbit and sit up
singing all night with my friends.
It’s baroque, my life, and
I tell it on the mountain.
I wouldn’t trade it for yours.

What a spectacular day! Two days ago I ran my first 50-mile race in Boulder City, Nevada – Running From an Angel 50-miler. The event was so well-organized, the volunteers at the aid stations were unbelievable, and my fellow runners were all super supportive.

We ran an out and back course in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Forty-eight of us started at 6 a.m. (in the dark), and many of us ran for most of the day. I finished a little after 4 p.m. – about 45 minutes before it got dark again. Can you think of anything more fun than running through the desert from sun up to sun down? Man, what a day!

I thought about a lot of things while I was out there for 10 hours. The one recurring theme off and on during the day was all the people who have inspired me throughout my running years.

I know it’s cliché but… “You can’t do it alone.” Although I went to this race by myself and was the only soul in sight for many miles, I was never alone. How many times have I been inspired by folks who were completing their first race? How many people’s stories have inspired me to go that extra mile even when it’s really hard? How many times have I crossed the finish line with someone who was accomplishing something they once thought impossible?

Everyone we encounter has some impact on our lives – we just don’t know what it is at the time. Everything that happens along our path is a part of where we are at this moment – both the good and the bad.

I am so grateful for all the people who have encouraged, supported, and inspired me in all aspects of my life, not just my running. You were all out there with me during my 50 miles, and you will be with me on future paths, trails, and hills.

I got out a little later than usual for my morning run today, but when I headed out, I decided that my purpose today was to be open to nature. I left the ipod at home and as I ran along, I listened to the rushing water and the sounds of the birds.

My schedule called for some speed intervals after a nice 2-mile warmup. As I rounded a curve on the Greenbelt along the Boise River – still in my easy and comfortable warmup – I saw 2 bald eagles standing on some rocks by the water’s edge. I stopped for just a moment to watch them just before they flew off.

I was still so thrilled to see them, and as I rounded another curve, there they were sitting in a tree beside the river. I watched them for a minute more before I continued on my run. I felt a new sense of energy and ran my intervals strong and fast. When I turned around to head back, one of the eagles was still in the same spot I had passed 15 minutes earlier.

As this was nature’s gift to me today, I said a silent word of gratitude for being part of their world today.

It’s been said so much that many people just sort of shrug and say, “Yeah, whatever.” But it is one maxim that I think cannot be overstated: “Have a attitude of gratitude.” We should celebrate “Thanks-giving” everyday.

I was overcome with a feeling of gratitude on my morning run today. What a week this has been. My daughter had her 2nd baby yesterday – November 24 – a precious little girl named Colette Soleil. Colette is strong and healthy, Mama Michelle is feeling great, Daddy Chuck is about as proud as can be, and Aunt Kelly is coming to town to welcome the new arrival. And, I am now a 2-time granny. How cool is that?

As I was running, I thought about all the things that I have to be thankful for, not the least of which is how lucky I am to be able to run along the beautiful Boise River path.

We all have challenges in our lives, but chances are that we have things to be grateful for as well. Many times, we focus on the things that are not going well for us because we are trying to find solutions. But remember: What you think about expands. So, my suggestion – especially this week as we officially celebrate Thanks-giving – is to spend some time focusing on all the things that are going right. When you do, you will attract more good things into your life.

Have a happy day giving thanks!

A couple of nights ago, my running group had the end-of-the-season’s get together. End-of-the-season doesn’t mean we stop running or stop getting together. For a few weeks, we’ll suspend formal practice. But soon, we’ll be back out there together to begin our winter running groups. We’re all still running and training for something.

Our gathering was a time for people to share their success stories with the group and acknowledge those who helped them reach their goals.

• Amber shared with us her accomplishments and how she got through the rough patches and crossed the finish line of her marathon with the help of her new friend Chele.
• Joyce shared with us how she reached her goals in events she’d never done before.
• Paul shared funny stories of  going the “extra mile” and expressed gratitude to his running partners and coaches.
• Machelle shared her personal story of weight loss and getting on the path to health and wellness.
• Sue shared with us her personal story of how Donna, her running partner, literally saved her life.

This is just a sampling of the stories we shared. Everyone has a story. Every race has a story. And, people (especially runners and walkers) love to get together to tell their stories.

Six months ago, I knew only a handful of people in Boise. I had lunch with Steve, the “head” of a local running/walking group and offered to help coach. He didn’t know me at all, but he decided to take a chance on me and allowed me to join his other coaches in a successful program known for its dedicated, knowledgeable coaches.

Runners are welcoming folks. At our end-of-the-season gathering, I looked around at all my new friends – just since I had joined the group 6 months ago – and I was filled with gratitude.

I’m looking forward to getting back on the path with them very soon…and hearing more of their stories.

Throughout my running life, I’ve had the good fortune to run (and walk) with so many different people. There have been days when I was the one who had to do all the talking so that the others could focus on breathing. Other times, I was the one who needed to concentrate on breathing.

Over the past 13 years, running has brought me so many great friends – I can’t even begin to name them all. Some of us have moved to different places, but the friendships that we forged have withstood the distance. One thing is certain: We meet as strangers, but we become friends as we run and walk together.

I treasure my running partners – there is a mutual sharing of who we really are as we’re out there on the road together.  No cell phones. No emails to check. No distractions. No pretenses. No judgment. Just time spent with a friend on the road. What could be better?

So, what is it that bonds people together as they run or walk long miles?  Is it common interests? Common goals? Common challenges? Common pain?

If you have made good friends through your running or walking, I’m sure you understand this concept. I’d love to hear your thoughts and/or stories.