Prior to today, I have done all of 1.5 miles worth of trail running, and that was several months ago. Basically, I have zero experience. However, after after today I finally understand what all the hubbub is about.
My employer participates in the United Way Days of Caring. We are offered the option to sign-up with different groups that need help with manual labor or working with senior citizens and people with special needs. I always choose the manual labor - I'm a glutton for punishment. This year I signed-up to work with the Pennsylvania Trail Advocacy Group (PTAG) fixing up some trails at North Park near Pittsburgh. We dug several drainage ditches and performed other trail maintenance activities. It was hard work. So hard, in fact, I am considering this my cross-training for the day. (I sit at a desk all day. I'm not used to that kind of work.)
Walking along the trails to and from our work-sites helped me to better understand why some people love trail running so much. The scenery is absolutely beautiful, peaceful and the trails were delightfully challenging, and that was just walking in work boots carrying implements of trail maintenance. I cannot wait to strap on my running shoes to the hit trails running.
The nice thing about the trails at North Park - they are marked, and maps are available. The last thing that I want is to get lost in the woods. It's bad enough getting lost running in the City. I mean, not that that has ever happened to me or anything like that...
Stay-tuned and I will let you know how my adventures with trail running turn out. Happy Running!
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