Skip to main content

Rediscovering Midweek Trail Runs: A Yin-Yang Adventure with Goat


Today was one of those days when the midweek blues needed a swift kick to the curb. So, I made a spontaneous decision - Goat (my trusty four-legged companion) and I were going trail running. It used to be a midweek ritual for us, but lately, the weekdays have been filled with pounding the streets of Kirkwood while we save the trails for the weekends. Today was different, though. Work was under control, and the trails were calling.

We ventured to Emmenegger Nature Park, a familiar haunt for us. The trail system here holds a special place in my heart, and I have a peculiar tradition I call the "yin-yang of the trails." It involves creating a course that takes me both ways on every trail in the system, exactly once. The resulting map from the first time I did it reminded me of a yin-yang symbol. But beyond the aesthetics, running each part of the trail in both directions brings a sense of balance to the run.

Emmenegger's trails aren't for the faint of heart. Over the course of roughly 3.5 miles, a yin-yang run presents us with about 700 feet of elevation gain. The terrain is a rollercoaster of hills and valleys, a challenge that both Goat and I relish. The promise of breathtaking views and the thrill of conquering those uphill climbs make every step worth it.

One of the highlights of this route is the babbling stream that crisscrosses our path three times during the run. Goat absolutely adores these moments. He splashes in the water, quenches his thirst, and emerges with a spirit refreshed. Today, however, was different. As we approached the stream, anticipation hung in the air, but we were met with a dry riverbed. It seems nature decided to keep its secrets hidden today.

But Goat's adventurous spirit wouldn't be dampened so easily. A little further along the trail, we stumbled upon a puddle, not as grand as the stream, but good enough for a quick cool-down dip. Goat's joy was palpable as he frolicked in the water, reminding me that sometimes, it's the simplest pleasures that make our adventures memorable.


The weather played its part too, as if knowing it was meant to be a special day. With temperatures around 50 degrees, the late morning sun warmed our spirits without making us break a sweat.

As we wrapped up our midweek trail run, I couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of vitality. It's moments like these, with the wind in my hair, the earth beneath my feet, and Goat by my side, that I'm reminded of the pure joy of trail running. It's a balance of physical challenge, connection with nature, and shared experiences with a loyal friend.

So here's to the midweek escape, to rediscovering the trails we love, and to embracing the unexpected puddles in life that make the journey all the more enjoyable.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Poky Little Puppy

Sometimes Jupiter likes to read the classic Golden Book tale, The Poky Little Puppy before bed or nap time. This is another of many children's stories where the intended moral of the story seems to have been surpassed by a message that, I think, conveys the nearly the opposite message. The Poky Little Puppy is a story about five little puppies who dig a hole under the fence to go out for a walk in the wide, wide world. The fifth, poky, puppy is always behind the others. Eventually the poky little puppy smells the dessert that is prepared for the puppies each night. The four other puppies smell it too and hurry home while the poky puppy takes his time. The four puppies then eat their dinner and are scolded by their mother for digging a hole under the fence with the punishment being that they do not get dessert. Then along comes the poky puppy after everyone is asleep. He is met with no dinner but left over dessert, since the four puppies were not able to eat it. This scenario takes...
6 comments
Read more

Kid on a Leash

Has anyone seen these kid leash products around? Sometimes I see them at the zoo, farmers market, or other crowded areas. If a company can make a product that will make a parent feel a little bit safer, there will always be people out there to buy it. When I see one, it reminds me of that scene in Rise of the Planet of the Apes when a leashed Caesar sees a dog on a leash and turns to Will and signs, "Am I a pet?" The idea of the product is that it will keep the child safe and nearby. It is designed to subside the fear that a child will run off or get abducted. I think that if someone is out to abduct a child during the few seconds when a parent is looking away, a leash is a very small deterrent, and likely, not effective. All the abductor would need is a nice pair of scissors or simply their fingers. The latch cannot be that hard to work. If anything, having a leash might give a parent a false sense of security causing them to pay less attention to the child. In that case it...
3 comments
Read more

The Santa Lie

When I was young my parents followed a tradition which I imagine was passed down to them from their parents who received the tradition from their parents before them and so on for a generation or two before them. I am of course talking about the yearly tradition of deceiving their gullible offspring with myths of a jolly man who lives at the North Pole. I fell for it. They were fairly elaborate to the point of even having a man dressed up as a Santa come to the front door one year. This of course sparked my suspicion a little. Why the front door and not the chimney? Though I do not remember what it was, a satisfactory explanation was given and I continued to believe in it. Eventually I did finally figure it all out, mostly through ridicule from schoolmates and my 3rd grade teacher for still believing it. I did not take the news well. I did not understand that my parents, who regularly told me that lying is wrong and makes Jesus cry, would keep up such an elaborate and ultimately pointl...
6 comments
Read more