Wild Fierce Trail Running

Wild Fierce Heart


Training Run-
Horsetail Falls Trail Recap
May 21, 2016

Loop starting at horsetail falls, cutting over to Multnomah on gorge trail 400, up larch mountain trail and Franklin ridge trail, then down Oneonta trail back to horsetail falls trail head- a little over 14 Miles and 4800 ft elevation gain

At first I thought I might give the technical play by play of this training run...but it meant so much more to me than that. I have learned since blogging that a lot of times the "exposed & vulnerable" posts don't get as much read time. Maybe showing this much of my heart makes others uncomfortable...I am not sure...But, I think that sometimes it's important to visit the reasons in why I do what I do, especially when it's out of the ordinary. So, heres's a tiny glimpse into this wild heart of mine......
Run 2 of back to back Trail training runs...
Last weekend I thought it would be a great idea to do back to back training runs on the trails out in the gorge. I still think I was right. Call me ambitious..maybe greedy.... I've been doing a lot of reflecting on the type of runner I identify with. I am most definitely a trail runner. I thrive out in the fresh air, dirt and trees. I've always been very "earthy". So, it's not really that crazy that I would prefer to be out on the trails more than anywhere else. I work in a office where I am chained to my desk for a greater portion of the day. The pull to the trails grows stronger as the week goes on. I am not meant for an indoor, chained to the desk, job. But, it is what it is. It makes me appreciate being out on the trails more.
The bulk of my Saturday and Sundays are spent on the trails. It's more therapeutic to me than anything. I have some pretty lofty goals for the future. . . .
ie


Mt. Hood 50K-July 2016 (wait listed)
Gorge Waterfall 50K (2017)
Smith Rock Ascent 50k 2017 (Round 2)
Mt. Hood 50 miler 2017
Volcanic 50k- 2017
* Among others *

As much as I love running in general, it's easier for me to get out there while I am sore and beat up ...if I have a purpose...a goal. And out of all of my lofty goals...my most important one is and will always be my quality time out in the fresh air, the squishy ground, crunchy trees and the time away from all of life's distractions. Call it prayer-call it meditation...as my feet hit the ground and take off across the roots,rocks and mud...I give thanks for the trail. This world can be so ugly and unkind...and has taken every opportunity to prove that to me. However, the moment I step out on that trail, I know that everything will be ok because this...this is bigger than life's punches. It's bigger than anything we can imagine. It's something pure and beautiful. It's a gift that can't be taken away from me ever....the gift of the trail. It's a secret present that I wait for all week during my "9-5". It's never the same but it's always rewarding.

This trail run was no different. We started at Horsetail Falls Trail head and booked it to Multnomah Falls Trail head...up the 11 switchbacks and towards larch mountain. Then swung left up to the Franklin Ridge Trail...and let me tell you....the name does give you a hint to what's in store but you need to see it to really grasp the beauty. UP up UP up and up....at 2900' elevation the trees were massive and towering...the ground soft and forgiving and the view...god that view. Between the view and the technical trail this will forever be one of my favorite trail runs. The technical aspect of the trail brought me to my knees and set my lungs on fire. When you come up to the top of the ascent and you see this trees towering above you while your insides burn....the beauty is intensified-because I did that...I ran to the top. I leaped over downed trees and massive roots. I jumped over creeks and climbed up huge hills...huge hills and more huge hills. Slid down landslides and flew thru overgrown trails of questionable 3 leafed plants. I did that. No cut corners and no shortcuts. Just me, the trail and this fierce wild heart. If you could experience every ounce of everything you are capable of feeling all thru the steps of the trail...wouldn't you want experience a glimpse of that? I do. And that's why I keep going back.