Learning the Trails

On Thursday morning, I traveled to Valley Green with my new interest in running the trails around the Wissahickon. The morning was unusually warm and humid for this time of the year. The temperature was probably in the mid-70s and the sky was clear. I had left the house without my sunglasses, but I also knew that I could run on the trails without them. I also arrived at Valley Green later than usual, so it was clear that I wasn't going to be able to get in a five-mile run. It also didn't help that I hadn't slept particularly well the night before.

I began enthusiastically--but, as it turned out, foolishly--by heading up a steep trail right by the Valley Green Inn on the Lincoln Drive side. Although I was trying to keep my pace down, it was clear that the sort of strenuous effort I was making was not what I wanted at the beginning of a run. In fact, at the 1'45" point, I started walking.

Soon enough, though, I reached a point where the trail was less steep, and I began running at a slightly more relaxed pace. Still, the humidity produced in me a sense of mild discouragement, and, although the run wasn't yet ten minutes old, I began to consider curtailing even this short run.

I did make some discoveries. I saw more of the yellow trail and discovered that it was even more extensive than I'd been aware. I also encountered some of the forks that the trail takes, and I made choices that I knew were to lead me to ... other discoveries?

After a little more than a mile, I found that I'd chosen a path that took me back to Forbidden Drive. At this point, though, I was already too discouraged to run on another trail when the opportunity presented itself. Instead, I continued my run on the familiar, less arduous path. Unusually for me, I didn't even push myself to get in four miles but, ended my run one tenth of a mile short.

Still, I think Thursday's run was anomalous. I plan to return to the trails on the weekend. I have much to explore.