Monday, April 21, 2008

Why We Wear Trail Shoes

One of the best reasons to have a running buddy is knowing that early in the morning, with severe thunderstorms forecast, someone is waiting for you. You could either keep him or her waiting (and be a big fat jerk) or you can drag your sorry ass out of bed. Yesterday I did just that (not the jerk part).

My buddy, Chris, and I had been running for all of five minutes when a little sprinkle started. A little later it was raining pretty steadily. And before long, we were in the midst of a full-blown thunderstorm. I was getting wet from overhead and underneath simultaneously: some puddles and creeks were up to my calves. Splash, splash, I ran right through them, whooping and giggling.

Two hours and fifteen minutes later, I was soaked, exhausted, and satisfied. (Of course I chose to wear a brand new pair of white socks, which are now discolored beyond recognition). Chris had led me up some serious hills, and it felt great to be heading off to a nice, warm shower.

Although I was worn out, I wasn't as useless as I thought. The rest of the day I spent grocery shopping, vacuuming, scrubbing the kitchen floor, and making dinner. Trail running really is better for your joints and your legs - I feel great today. But trail running shoes really are necessary. My nice, white running shoes are gross and smelly. Oh well. It was worth it.

3 comments:

g said...

I bet you were pretty gross and smelly for a while too.

chia said...

Upon retirement, my trail shoes usually smelled like a yak died in them... I can only imagine what cute little meshy ones would smell like - ha!

Glad to hear training is going so well! Welcome to spring my friend!

chia said...

Speaking of reading and wanting to bust out sprinting... Tomorrow I booked a play date with some buddies to go out on the trails at the nature reserve :-). If I don't come back alive, you know what happened ;-)