I looked forward to my Gorham run today, knowing that I could go back on the gnarly, (not the 90's usage of the word) single track behind USM. I hadn't been on the trails since some severe weather so expected more trees down on the trail to scale. I was not disappointed - in any respect.
Not long into my first loop, I jumped a deer. It was very noisy in the dried leaves. Seeing the deer made me really see the woods around me. I still am stunned by how different the trails look in the different seasons. The last time I ran this trail, the downed leaves were brilliant (even the oak ones were a gorgeous coppery color) and, now, things were dead looking. I started getting down looking at the drabness, but soon was too busy picking debris off the trail. There were two large trees down that I have no doubt the school (or someone)will take care of since it's on part of the USM xcountry course. There was only one, new big tree down on the single track portion that I don't think is maintained. That's OK; I enjoy most of the ones I need to climb over (only one or two would be hurdle-able...even by those who can do hurdles). I think this course has a lot of the fun of an obstacle course.
The time of my first lap was pretty slow, but I even used some branches to "sweep" some of the less obvious trail. My second lap I was able to get close to my previous times. It was on this lap that an idea popped into my head. It started with the realization that people pay lots of money to run man-made obstacle courses. I thought, as I ran down a steep bank of a little gorge and then up the other side, that this was just as good - no, better. Then, I thought about Hell. Hmmm....Yup, a plan was forming.
Besides the plan for a TM event, I also had an idea pop into my head for a children's story. I have wanted to write/illustrate a kids' book for a while now. It will be interesting to see if I do anything with it. Running is great for ideas!
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