Blisters: The Best Badge of Courage

A little theme music is most definitely necessary today:




And yes, that's what I did yesterday. I ran. I ran so far away. Up hills and down hills. Over trees and under trees. I climbed a river and a lava flow. 15K on the trails around my village and through it's ruined hameaux. My legs carried me to places I love and places I fear. I am exhilaratingly exhausted today.

Yesterday's run reminded me of why I like rock climbing. You have to focus so much on where to put your feet, where to make that next hold, that you forget you are scaling a rock face, and then next thing you know, you are on top of the world.

As I ran along, I glanced at the amazing scenery around me, laughed with the fast woman I trailed for several kilometers (until she left me in the dust on the last downhill section) and just ran. So far away.

I'm not a good runner. I'm built like a top heavy pear so it's a challenge sometimes just getting these legs to keep moving. At least with a trail run, there's no shame in walking the step bits. Out there it's obvious who's going to win every time. Her name is Mother Nature and she takes it all in stride.

And what beautiful, beautiful strides.

The loser yesterday was my favourite road route. I don't think I'm going to be able to enjoy that quite like I used to.

So raise your ibuprofen with me today. Here's to a year ago being one fat, pregnant spectator to this year, a mother of four who can run. Run so far away.