Hit the trails running.

 The feeling of fall excites me, I can step out side - at any time of the day and be struck with the motivation to run. No more sizzling heat, or relying on caffein for a jolt (but who I am kidding, I'll still suck coffee down like its my job anyways!) It's like having an entirely new world - a new play groud, and it's all yours.  Even "bad" runs are less crappy in the fall. So your legs hurt, your stomach might crawl up your throat, you're burnt out, your shoes are burnt out, bugs are flying down your throat and into your belly - but it hardly matters. You're not not being smothered by the sun - and thus, it is a good run (yes, bug guts and all. Mom says its a good source of protein. yum.) When the air changes like this, I always have the burning desire to do so as well. I could use a good change but for now, Im excited and content with watching my miles wrack up. I hope being a slave to the sun will pay off in the cooler months like every one says. I'll be mighty cranky if it doesn't. You've ben warned.

 I keep taking myself further and further away from home when I run - it's my (sometimes) cruel way of making sure the miles are getting in. I know that no matter what, I have to get myself back home - and if I run it, I'll get there faster. See the sick connection? Anywho, sick or not, I love pushing my limits and I feel like the fall months really allow me to do that.  These pictures are some of the GORGEOUS views from Monday's 7 mile outing. I find having pretty things to look at is great motivation/ distraction. You want to push yourself to and around the upcoming corner just to be able to see what might come next. Even if you've run that route before, it's never the same twice. A quick (or not because sometimes I just ramble) side note; running alone really makes you appreciate the volunteers from your races. Not only do they provide you with water so you don't dehydrate and die, but they protect you from traffic so you don't get run over. Even if I don't take the water cups from them (I have had bad experiences with it going up my nose. Not a good time.) I thank them. Without them, we would be dehydrated road kill. I wonder how many other runners realize that.

Yesterday I went out with my boys (the running club) and did over six glorious miles of trails. To say that I am in love with trail running would be a complete insult to how I really feel. I like racing (and placing) a whole lot, but long distance and trail running? That's where my heart really is.  Having them at the same time? Euphoric. It reminded me of camping as a little kid , running through the woods - those were some good times. And to relive something like them as an adult screams "I'm one big kid!" My shoes were a mess, as were my legs by the end but I could care less. I remember my parents would say (at camp, none the less) that being messy was the sign of a good day. Yeah well, I had a great day. It has become my mission of the fall the find more trails and run them until my legs fall off. I can hardly wait.



A lot has been going on in my world outside of running - like today for instance, I had an interview with that company I so badly wanted to work for and... got the job! My new title is "Coach Heather" and I will be teaching nutrition and fitness to younger kids. The irony in this situation? Before I left long island every one would ask me what I was planning to do for work.. and I would say (almost as if I was dreaming to be an astronaut or something) that I wanted to teach fitness to little kids or coach. In return, I would get blank stares. Maybe even once or twice I heard crickets in the back ground. Where they chirping or laughing? The world may never know. But any who, I actually got everything I asked for.  I am already in love with the job but there needs to be more than that; I need/want to be good at it. These kids deserve the best, my best. I want this to be everything I have hoped for and then some. Just like everything else I suppose, only time will tell. Im excited... and terrified, but I'm hoping only one will shine through.