The middle of the week is always crucial. You are halfway in, working hard, but it’s time to start planning for the weekend. Usually on Wednesday, I have about 10 ideas that sound like the “best idea ever!”. But alas, not everyone agrees with me, nor do I have unlimited time to just wander about for as long as I would like, so by Friday, a reckoning has taken place, and my list is significantly shorter – and more realistic.
But on Wednesday, all adventures are possible, and no one has negged on any of my ideas yet, so I am in fine form. Like a pirate ship captain, I research routes, check gear, e-mail possible co-conspirators, and daydream about how glorious it will be when we are finally on our way. Should we run downtown on the urban trail system and then have Mexican food? Check out the Angeles Crest 100 course? Run up to Cherry Canyon along the horse trails? Or maybe we should go to Malibu and run the canyons AND the beach!
My favorite part of my Wednesday routine is the blogstalking that is necessary to my planning. I love reading about others’ adventures. Right now, one of my favorite bloggers, Jill Homer, is in Alaska while her BF is competing in the 1000 mile Iditarod foot race. While he is running, Jill is spending a month doing “mini” adventures around the state. I love that! And since I’m afraid of snow, I’m awed at her fearlessness. Of course, since I’m in SoCal, there is no chance I will be venturing out onto the white tundra any time soon, but Jill’s blog gives me a regular dose of inspiration. Maybe some snowshoeing at Big Bear this weekend? Hmmmmm…..
Whatever I come up with (and my cohorts finally agree to), I will keep you posted. The beauty of running is that we never run out of places to explore, mountains to climb, or roads to travel.
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
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I LOVE having friends who plan our adventures and just tell me when/where to show up…or, better, pick me up on the way! (And thereby ensure that I won’t make us late) If I lived near you, I’d totally sign on for your crazy plans. 🙂
I’ve been stalking the Iditarod like crazy on facebook, and I’m a little worried that it’s going to be the next race that catches my imagination…and my husband may up and leave me if I start dropping hints that now I want a snow bike when my cross bike hasn’t even shown up yet! The whole COLD thing…that might be a dealbreaker, but for now I’m enjoying reading Jill’s blog, other Iditarod blogs, and pretty much everything google will show me.
Yeah, that cold thing is kind of a deal breaker for me too, Kate! And you’re probably smart to hold off on your snow bike request for a few months (years) – husbands are funny that way :)! I’m totally with you on the Iditarod stalking thing – I’m obsessed!
Sounds just like my week. Planning a long trail run for Saturday (no “co-conspirators” found yet) and a team hill-climbing ride on Sunday, several conspirators for that one.
I HATE cold but thankfully Albuquerque is supposed to be in the upper 50’s Saturday and low 60’s Sunday. I wish I had the canyons AND beach option.
Do it! Go snowshoeing! You will not be sorry.
Thanks for stopping by, David! Albuquerque is a great training venue!
I’m definitely looking into it, Kirstin! 🙂
I spend hours creaming of adventures while at work (yeah, my job is like that), yet once the day is over, it’s back home to life:)
I spend a lot of time dreaming, too, Olga. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!
I love your adventurous spirit, Carilyn! I think I am going to sign up for some trail races this summer, because I am totally chicken when it comes to trying new things. That said, I never know how to train for those races, because I don’t feel comfortable exploring trails alone on in the early morning hours. How do you do it? I have major mountain lion phobia!
I am soooooooooo afraid of mountain lions, Rebecca! I just try to only go up on the trails when I’m running with people or it is a weekend. Brown Mtn., Echo Mtn., and Eaton Canyon are all pretty busy on the weekends, so I don’t feel scared going up by myself. I also don’t usually start until 7:00 if I’m alone. I hear the lions like to hunt before dawn 🙁
That’s why running is so romantic. It’s like going off to explore the world every time you pull your shoes and socks on. And it doesn’t even matter if you run the same routes over and over – there’s always something new to see or experience.
Wait , there’s an Iditarod FOOT race? I’ve always wanted to harness up the dogs and do the sled race. I’m finally going to Alaska in August!
I totally agree, Char!
I know, Marcia! Can you believe it? 1000 miles on FOOT! Yikes!
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