It's a bit like an ear worm. Try as I might, I can't get rid of it by trying to hum bits of my favourite songs. Those same 16 bars keep playing over and over in my head for hours. Or in this case days.
But it's not a song - it's a crazy idea.
It's crazy because as a runner, there are some things that I really don't like to do. Like running up hills. And for me a hill is defined as anything with a positive gradient.
See that yellow thing under the car? I would definitely call that a hill. A very small hill, granted, but a hill nevertheless.
So what I'm doing, thinking what I'm thinking defies logic, the laws of gravity and some of my own personal principals.
I want to run the Powerful Owl Trail at Mt Coottha.
There, I've said it and I've heard the gasps of shock resonating around Brisbane. I know I've said I'll never run it again. And I absolutely mean it. But I'm really referring to the downhill direction. The trail is steep and the ground is incredibly unstable - your feet can disappear from under you in a millisecond. And I am a huge coward when it comes to running downhill on unstable footing.
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| This photo doesn't do justice to the gradient of the slope. You'll just have to take my word that it's steep. And nasty. And has reduced many runners to a slow walk. |
No, what I want to do is run up it. All the way to the road at the top of the trail then run around the road loop so my downhill will be on solid ground.
I used to walk up Owl Trail with my sister about a decade ago and I found it tough. Then the first day I ever turned up at hills with Coach Chris he told us that we were going to run it. I thought he was joking. He wasn't.
One of my proudest running achievements was running up Owl Trail three times in a session without having to walk. That's huge for a runner who sucks at hills.
Since I've started running hills and trails again, I just can't get rid of the thought of re-visiting my old nemesis. I know it'll be tough. That my legs will burn and I'll feel like I can't breathe. But I also know that I'll feel awesome if I can do it. And I know that I'm not going to stop thinking about it until I give it a go.
And if I can't do it, I'll probably have to keep trying till I can.
You can SO do it!
ReplyDeleteDo it!!! Of course you can do it - you are strong in both mind and body!!!
ReplyDeleteHills are great and I know you are like me who when we are on a driving holiday has been know to get out of the car just to run up the pass we are driving on because the chances are I won't get to run it any other time! So get out there and climb that hill!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for a while now and based on that and your stories I know you can do this!
ReplyDeleteIf you are crazy enough to talk about it, you are crazy enough to do it! Go for it!
ReplyDeleteYou've probably already done it since you wrote this!
ReplyDeleteGo for it girl! I think you will surprise yourself! I am a fellow hill hater. I hate them on the run and even worse on the bike...at least on the run I can stop and walk...on a bike you have to keep grinding or fall over lol. Go get it!
ReplyDeleteWoo woo! Get up that hill - again and again! And then post the pictures so we can all be relieved that we didn't have to do it. Looks fun, in the weird way we runners think these things are fun :)
ReplyDeleteI think that sounds like a god idea: exhausting,but beautiful, and if you can't get it out of your head you should probably just do it.
ReplyDeleteYou will do it and we will see the pictures of your adventure.
ReplyDeleteI have good memories of the trails when I was in the Navy..... I miss that kind of races and the friends "in uniform".
Of course, you have to try! You are strong and motivated enough! The tougher the trail the more motivated you will be ... considering your craziness :)
ReplyDeleteYou will be ready for that challenge! Have you bought a pair of trail running shoes yet?
You can do this!!! Those trails look beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteYYYYEEESSSSSSSS!!!!
ReplyDeleteDo it! And make sure to bring a camera to get some trail pictures.