I've been in Eugene the past couple days for a conference which allowed me to traverse the paths that Pre ran and helped build. The bark chip paths of Pre's Trail as the wind through Alton Baker Park are quiet though they are shared with many others.
For me they also are a historic, reflective place. A running path I get to run once or twice a year. A place to reflect on a 45 year running career and seek renewal in the meditative rhythm of my footsteps.
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| That Guy on The Stairway to Heaven |
This trip the meditation came with more difficulty as I'm feeling out of shape and heavy. I was able to get in the longest run in a couple months, 32 minutes of at 5:1 run/walk. It was a struggle more than anything. But it was a chance to run with That Guy and to once again enjoy the beauty and serenity of a special place to run.
It's always good when the meditation is brought on my the euphoric feeling of mind and body in sync. But sometimes it's a struggle. The struggle is part of the reality and makes the euphoric all them more special when it happens. Running is a continuum, a daily, or as the case is now, nearly daily effort of getting the physical in tune.
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| Sometimes I am still ahead of him. |
After 45 years of running I sometimes wonder if there are a limited number of miles in a pair of legs. I think the limit is really lies in how smart one trains in these latter years. Hard efforts are fewer, miles are slower, recovery longer. It's been frustrating lately with the nagging calf tightness/cramping. Now my back is tight, mostly during the day, but it does effect my runs.
As I unpacked on this trip I realized I had packed for cool morning runs rather than warmer afternoons and didn't bring any running shorts. Fortunately, the Run Hub store is just a few blocks from the Eugene Hilton so I went over there to purchase some shorts. And who would greet me as I stepped into the dressing room to try on the shorts?
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