Yesterday felt like Autumn for the first time, the temperature dipped into the 40s and there was a crispness in the air. This time of year brings running to a new level for me and brings about a new level in my running. No longer panting from the exhaustive heat, just cool air getting inhaled, refreshing my lungs as I go.
It also brings about the desire to run trails as ticks are no longer hiding on every leaf and deers are less apt to sprint out of the underbrush. Recently, this got me in more trouble than I expected, but I also gained a great deal.
I ran the Long Hill Reservation today. It was just a short 3 mile run, away from the sounds of traffic and the daily grind. But it was reminiscent of a couple weeks ago when I took a different route, running along the perimeter of Gordon College.
Initially I planned to do a out and back run, 3 to 3.5 miles tops. But as I ran along the banks of Coy Pond (I found out the name later) I approached an enticing trailhead, a little blue marker tagged to a tree 20 feet down, and some small gravel paving the way. This is where my adventure began...
I assumed that the trail would circle the back of the property and come back out near the road that I started on. As I continued along the marked trail, I realized that I was getting closer to the opposite bank of the pond and began looking for another trail along the left hand side to take me back to where I wanted to go. Perhaps I got a little panicked and took a trail to soon.
Suddenly I was wandering off, up and down some rocky hills. And of all days to forget my roadID, today was that day. The fear of being lost and not getting home to my baby was motivating, I had to soldier on and find my way home.
Eventually, I cam back to well marked trails and began following them, I generally chose the option of going left but at this point I was so turned around that I was probably driving myself further from my final destination. At last, I began to see some daylight breaking through the trees and came to the main trailhead of the Chebacco Woods. (Sorry I can't find a real map, try the kiosk at the trailhead) I had a map of these trails left to me by Scott Karambis but I still hadn't run them yet. Well, I guess I got my trial by fire.
Too bad the trailhead was still close to 2 miles out from hitting the showers, but at least with roads I could find my way home. As I made my way onto Essex St. I looked back to see a sign welcoming individuals to the Hunt Club. I felt lucky to have made it out!
As I finally made it back to work, I realized that I got something out of getting lost. I found the motivation to go 6 to 6.5 miles whereas I was settling to go less and I pushed the whole time, mostly out of nerves, but whatever motivates you. And to quote Nietzsche, "That which does not kill us only makes us stronger."
So here is to a great season for running, however far that might be and the weather to making it enjoyable and I plan on hitting Chebacco soon. Caveat: there is one bad thing to getting lost...
You're Lost!
