This picture just popped up in my iPhone memories and is giving me an appreciation for how far I’ve come since my first real endeavor into running. What a fun memory! Plus, Shepherd, you’re like two months old here. And now you’re almost 6!
During the Covid-19 pandemic, I discovered the Salomon YouTube channel and blew through every Killian Jornet video about running. They all happened to be about the trail, and nature was basically the one acceptable place (mostly) to be outside during the pandemic. I got sucked in. I wasn’t running a lot, but I was very intrigued. Found the Mt. Hood Timberline Trail and decided to run it when we went out to Oregon that summer to introduce Shepherd to Sadie’s parents.
This photo was right before I took off, around 8am if I remember correctly, and I knew so little about how to run this distance efficiently and with confidence.
I remember eating Clif bars for fuel, had this Outdoor Research daylite backpack for a pack, and just so little understanding about how to run.
It took me well over 12 hours I think, and I really made Sadie nervous because there were so many areas around the mountain with no service. I thought I’d complete it somewhere between 8-10 hours, so that added to the nerves.
I look at the picture and realize how silly I was with such little know-how, but how stoked I am, and sort of proud of myself, for having gone for it and done it anyways.
That gave me strong footing to start my running life.
It’s progressed a lot since then. Mostly what’s sticking with me is the merit of picking out big goals that are sort of hard to make out and just going for them.
And the whole thing so far has created lots of fun memories like this one – such a young and new family we were! 🙂