Runners, Triathletes, Countrymen, Lend me your ear! I have awesome news: I’m going
to graduate school in the fall in Tuscaloosa, Alabama of all places. I’m beyond
excited, but what does this mean for my list of run-scuses? It means I have a time-frame. I have to find new
trails, train up, and race by the first week of August. I have an inflexible
deadline and no way to worm free. This is probably good practice for graduate
school, along with instituting coffee as a form of liquid sleep.
So, back to my list:
2) It’s too damn cold
3) I’m bored of running Seneca Creek/I don’t know other trails in
the area
4) I’m not
signed up for any races, so I don’t have a goal
Reviewing my run-scuses, I
should be on #2, facing the cold but it’s nearly April and winter is all but
done. So, I’m going to knock #2 out real quick and focus on 3 and 4.
To face those last bitter days
of winter, I’m looking to film again for inspiration. And who are my role
models, my fortitude when my fingers and toes feel numb? The brave crew of 4
men on the Jamaican bobsled team of Cool Runnings, who were actually based on a
real Jamaican bobsled team that competed at the 1988 winter Olympics in
Calgary.
If a group of Caribbeans can
compete in frigid Alberta, I can face a 40° day.
O.K., on to the last run-scuses
on my list! And this is where I’m really relying on help from you guys: I need new places to run. I run Seneca
Creek all the time, but I’ve gotta test out some new trails. And yes, I’ve
tried running the loop backwards.
And related to exploring new
trails, I need a goal race. I think
I’d like to do a trail half marathon, but I’m open to suggestions. If anyone
has a favorite race they want to recommend, I’d love to hear about it.
Readers, if you’re in the know, share your wisdom.
Your two-cents is invaluable to me— no pun intended. Comment below with trails and
races and help a fellow runner out. And if you’re susceptible to bribes, I’m an
excellent baker!
Happy running,
Maggie
