It's a Miracle

It wasn’t on 34^th Street, we’re not on the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team, and we didn’t teach Helen Keller the meaning of water, but make no mistake, yesterday was a milestone.  A and I finally went on a trail run in foreign territory and managed to stay on route the whole way.  I couldn’t believe it.  A prouder moment have I had not, save when I made a coffee gateau that actually resembled and tasted like an edible, if not delicious, dessert.

In truth, the run wasn’t technically on foreign soil.  In fact, the only thing foreign about Ojai is its pronunciation.  It’s only ninety minutes north of us, although an unwelcome freeway detour added an agonizing forty.  Even at seven thirty on a Saturday morning, Southern California traffic will always find a way to make you question your sanity.

Despite the holdup, we were still able to start our run early enough before the sun got too high, and many parts of the trail were nice and shady.  There was a ranch at the trailhead and we encountered a few people horseback-riding.  We also encountered the detritus that accompanies said activity in various degrees of decompose all along the trail.  I tried to stay fairly light-footed, but considering the path was rockier than the Philadelphia Museum of Art, sometimes stomping squarely into a pile of horseshit was the best or only option.  At first I was disgusted, but then I began to embrace it.  I am a trail runner.  Shit happens.

I can’t take much credit for not getting lost.  The trail system was so well marked that every crossroads was labeled clearly with names and arrows.  Just to be safe and because I am paranoid, we did ask a few hikers if we were headed in the right direction.  They told us that it would be impossible to get lost.  We’ve heard that before, but fortunately yesterday it was true.  I’m hopeful this is the beginning of a welcome trend, but I still have my doubts.  As I’ve read elsewhere: once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, third time’s a habit.

Never thought trail running would be habit-forming, but I am already planning our next one.