Caught in the Dark
Caught in the Dark

Daylight runs out pretty early here this time of year. Which, for those of us who enjoy being outdoors, means there are far fewer hours in a day to do so.

In fact, just recently I was trying to squeeze in a run after work and completely misjudged how much longer I had until the sun would be setting. I found myself still two miles back on the trails and surrounded by darkness. Like total darkness, as in even the moon’s light remained hidden behind a thick sea of clouds. Which normally wouldn’t have been a big deal had I brought along a headlamp. I just hadn’t thought that far ahead since it was still plenty light out when I’d left the house.

It sure made for an odd pace though as I slowly but surely eased my way back to the safety of the main roads and the streetlights lining them. For one thing, those hills are home to all kinds of animals (all vicious and hungry and just waiting for nighttime to come out—at least in my wildly imaginative mind, lol!). Thanks to this fear-factor, I was filled with all the adrenaline I needed to go as fast as I wanted. Both my thoughts and my heart were definitely racing! At the same time though, I felt forced to hold back. I couldn’t see the trail’s surface well enough to beware of all its little dips and obstacles, and I certainly didn’t want to trip and fall or roll an ankle (cause then I’d really be bait for all those wild things lurking!).

But it got me thinking—as running so often does—about life in general. About how strange and scary and frustrating it can be when we find ourselves facing this type of dilemma. Possessing all the desire, ability and energy necessary to move forward at full speed with something, and yet being forced to deal with circumstances that inhibit our momentum.

Not that we can’t get where we’re headed. Rest assured, I did eventually make it home. And of course we don’t always get there unscathed. I did acquire a few more scratches than usual as I couldn’t avoid the brush as well in the dark. But perhaps most importantly, it’s that lesson or two we stand to gain along the way that inevitably prove to be helpful the next time we set out. If only we can learn it. …and let’s just say I haven’t been caught in the dark again without my headlamp since.

*****************

Reposted with permission from 1BeautifulJourney.com

 
 
Seen a lot of slim chicks posting their

workouts on here so I thought I'd join 

the fun
Warning : I will bully every one of you

into daily stretches, plyo drills, crazy 

intervals, lifting heavy weights and 

epic long runs
104 °F.....  As my Grandma says, 

"Marathon training ain't for p*ssies."



Crazy old lady is right.

New Featured eBibs

I consider Monday a success if I've fully recovered from my Saturday long run or race
Congrats on finishing "Bark in the Park 5k".... Sorry your dog is in better shape than you
My friends are all "Fall... pumpkin lattes, Uggs, sweaters"...  and I'm over here...  "Fall... cooler runs... Duh!"
The next person to say "Oh, you're only running the Half", is going to get punched in the throat.
Runners be like... I have a better chance of winning the  Mega Millions than I do of running  a Boston qualifying time.
You could sleep in on Sunday. Or, you could drag your ass over 13.1 miles just for a cheap medal, t-shirt, and a  glass of wine. Welcome to the insanity!
So if I go running on weekdays just to burn enough calories to make up for  my drinking on weekends, does that  make me a runner or  an alcoholic?
Bottle of Wine = 487 Calories  ...or Five Miles.  (yeah, start running !!)
"Will Run for Beer 5k" done !! I'm just going to put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and  call it a day.
Runners be like...  I have a better chance of winning the Mega Millions than I do of staying up  late enough on a Friday to see if I won the Mega Millions.
I might get up and go jogging today.  I also might win the  1.6 billion lottery.  Same odds.
For me, a true champion is a guy  who'd never ran before and decided  it's time to change his life and start running. Believe it or not, that takes  a lot of courage.
I'm glad I'm only competing with  myself because everyone else is  kicking my ass.
I ran... and my house is clean.  One of these is a lie.
Marathon? Nah, I'm training for  Black Friday!
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