It’s amazing what even a short session of trail running can do to clear your mind.
Friday night was rough. My daughter woke up screaming in the middle of the night, and I didn’t get solid rest. So instead of waking up super early and checking off my planned long run, I stayed in bed a few extra hours. Then We headed out to visit Zion National Park in Utah (a 2.5ish hour drive). By the time we reached our destination, I was fighting off guilt and anger at myself for not running.
We ate lunch, did some sightseeing in Zion, and checked into our hotel.
Then I went for a 10-mile run through the park that wiped away all of my stress and frustration.
Zion is one of my favorite places on earth. This past weekend was my third time visiting, but my first time actually running in the park. My previous two trips were in heavier snow and ice. This time, the towering Navajo sandstone cliffs had a dusting of snow, but the roads and trails were clear.
If I had woken up early and forced my long run, I would have been tired and sore by the time we reached Zion. My miles would have been over for the day, and I would have missed a magical experience running through the park.
I left the hotel and ran a mile to the park entrance. Then I took the paved Pa’rus trail for about two miles to the start of the Zion scenic drive. The trail crossed over the Virgin River several times and gave incredible views through the canyon.
Then came a few more miles along the scenic drive and up a trail with spectacular views of the Court of the Patriarchs, a set of three sandstone formations named Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.
The entire run was picturesque, but the sandy trail section leading up to the Patriarchs was special. The sun had dipped behind the peaks, so I was in the shadows, but it still highlighted the snow-speckled mountain tops.
Something about running with those incredible views gave me a flood of inner peace. I wasn’t checking my pace on my watch constantly (other than making sure I would return in time for dinner). I stopped and took pictures and tried to soak in the entire landscape.
Thankfully I don’t have to travel far to get a peaceful and scenic trail running fix.
With Red Rock Canyon just a few miles from my door, I have numerous opportunities to run through stunning natural beauty.
This past week was more special than normal. The Las Vegas valley received snow at the start of the week, which blanketed my Tuesday-morning trail run from Calico Basin the entire way. Even more snow fell on me during the run, and I finished just as daylight illuminated my surroundings.
Then I got a chance to run later that afternoon, after most of the snow on the ground had melted, with stunning views of Red Rock Canyon as the sun set (which is where I got the top picture).
I committed to doing more trail running at the start of 2020, and I finished the year with more than triple the total trail running miles of any previous year.
The start of 2021 hasn’t been smooth for my training. My motivation has dipped, and I’m feeling slightly off overall.
Maybe it is the race cancellations that are piling up, or the general chaotic state of the world. Maybe the shorter daylight hours are a factor. Or maybe I’m due for a few down weeks for my body and mind to even out.
No matter what is going on, this year has given me some incredible views already. I’ve recorded some of the most beautiful trail runs of my life in the first month of 2021.
Let’s hope the rest of the year has just as much stunning scenery.