MO

Fancy-Free... well that is just a way of life, being, a frame of mind. It is the idea that we are each responsible for fulfilling our dreams and desires. The knowledge that we can each do whatever we want, and recognizing the courage it takes to go after it- whatever It may be-

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A writer, a yoga enthusiast, a trail runner and real food junkie. I am constantly exploring new experiences, new challenges and new concepts.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

A New Frontier: the continual exploration of Lithia Park

There is something about the idea of coming home.  Something comforting, reassuring and the concept instills a sense of confidence in me. Now, home is a relative word when staying somewhere for more than a few weeks is rare. However, I do find myself continually inspired by Ashland.  I have spent the longest period of time since leaving my last home in Whitefish, MT. in and near Ashland. In my mind, after being away for awhile, I convince myself that I had glamorized it, placed this dear town on a pedestal and am just waiting for it to fall.  And today again, I am reminded why it is so great. Not only is there a magnificent food co-op, that I stop in at at least once day when I am here, nor is it just because I know right out of town, there are great places to sleep (for those of you who enjoy the nomadic lifestyle and live, like me, out of your car most of the time), and even a hostel in town (www.theashlandhostel.com). It also carries the energy of an amazing running community, everywhere you look you can see the active lifestyle, and the running store Rogue Valley Runners is an easy quick stop for motivation just walking in (today I biked there, soaked up the easy running flow, and headed to Lithia), but there is also the fact that within minutes of downtown you can disappear into Lithia Park.

After being on the road since I left here in December, moving along, staying for a few days in most places and a couple weeks in others', I find myself back up in southern Oregon for a month of housesitting. In between gigs, I have made a point to come in from the beautiful isolation of rural Oregon, to the bustling metropolis of Ashland. Even with a population under 30k, it seems busy to someone who spends most of her time alone, traveling in my car Stella. And the idea of coming back to a place where I know a few people and I know how to get around is appealing, comforting even. But, the idea of coming back to a place where I know the trails.... well that is just pure excitement.

So, yesterday, my first full day here in Ashland, I bust out my shiny Lithia Park trail map and decide to really try to connect some of the dots. I know sections, I know specific trails and how they meet up with FS RD 2060, which is the road the bulk of the Lithia Loop Trail Marathon  (www.roguevalleyrunners.com/LLTM/index.html) is ran on. My first marathon, so I will always be sentimental about it. Yesterday, I decide to find a trailhead located on the map and see how you can jump on the trails White Rabbit and all the connections you can make from there to other trails. These other trails have such great names like Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, Caterpillar, ToothPick, etc.. The names are not deceiving, you possibly have jumped through a looking glass, and after mile after mile of uphill, when you finally get loose, and you feel light, and the core muscles start carrying you gracefully over the rolling hills, and let you open up and fly on the descents... you know you are somewhere else.

And the last two days have been fantastic. I connected quite a few dots, I have found new trails, long runnable trails where you forget everything and are just there, reacting to the earth as you dance over it.  I am not sure how far I have ran. It is slightly irrelevant in my world right now. Knowing the distances can be gratifying it's true, and can serve as motivation if you are lacking it. But I have finally over the last month, fell back -  head over heels in love with running, the shear joy of moving, when you get to that space beyond the heaviness, beyond all the why not's, when your body and mind blend and your primal instincts kick in and your senses heightened. I love rushing through the trees, the Manzanitas and the Madrones, hearing Lithia Creek rushing way down below, and knowing that I will be able to find my way back out.  Because, like I said, I did connect those dots, and the dots will allow me to explore further, farther the next time, confidently. Exploring... there will always be a new frontier.

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