Trail Blazer....

..... well not exactly. However, it was fun. I am not talking about a Portland Trail Blazers game either. Sorry, I am still not over the loss of my beloved Seattle Supersonics. Could never be a Portland Trail Blazer fan. Even though Brandon Roy is a Husky and Nate McMillan is almost Supersonic legend.

Anyway, I am talking about trail running. Sorry Happy Trails, no pix from the event. Although after running the trails, I do think there are at least 3-4 shots worth taking. It gave me a chance to break in these New Balance Trail shoes I bought that have been gathering some dust. Now, they have lots of dusts. Shoes, once white socks covered in grey, brown and yellow dust and desert soil.

Trails were near my house actually, and just above the Soccer fields of my kids games on Saturdays. I can actually see the the dirt road/path the trails feed on/off from, from our house. It goes up a Desert looking Mt./Hill. At the top are some antenna/communications towers. The dirt road also acts as access road to the power lines/utility towers which march on thru the Mojave Desert taking power to SoCal locations from Hoover Dam. Does it sound exciting yet?

Well, it was. Great panoramic views looking over the Vegas Valley. Also, call me less than my Washington/Cascade Mt. upbringing - but I kinda like the look of the desert Mts around us (well, sometimes?). They have a from-some-other-planet-look of large/tall rocks protruding from deep within the earth. No trees, with only small low ground sparse desert flora and fauna. Very jagged looking in parts. Reminds me of a Sci Fi set/backdrop for Star Trek, Dune or Planet of the Apes (the forbidden zone), so I guess this is the appeal.

I found it to be a challenge. Not sure how far I went exactly? Santa has yet to bring me a Garmin. Someone else running them - yes I found a friend or two out there as well - thinks my route was only 5 miles round trip. Yet, it was mostly up. Some climbed hills led to some steep downhill portions, however it was mostly an upward climb going out. Very steep at times, and all the signs I ran past marking the difficulty of the trail were accurate. I had to stop and walk more than I liked. As a become more familiar with the trails I am sure I will transition into more running over walking.

Yes, that is right - "as I become more familiar" - means I will be doing this run again. Maybe quite a number of agains. I liked it. Nice break from the roads. Which is what I really needed yesterday. After a week of being less than healthy and getting more than a little tired of my usual early AM running routes on asphalt - this was a well timed runners treat! The scenery is okay. Yes, nothing like a good Cascade Mt or foothill trail run. However, it had enough to get me away from the same ole, and it was a challenge of steep hills and some technical work. The big thing very close to the house. No long drive needed. Just kicking myself I have not blazed this previous! So, yeah, a nice treat. Something I can call an adventure.

I don't think I am giving up road running for the trails. I like the tempo/pacing of the roadwork. I struggle getting to a pace or sticking with one I like on the trails. There is just a tad too much thinking ahead of where my feet are landing and what lies around the next turn or hill for me. I do like that. I like the challenge of it all. However, I also like the predictability of the road run. I think doing both gives me something I like about running - adventure when I want it, and being able to gauge/predict personal outcome/results of hard work.

Keep Kickin'!