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Clarity After the Storm: Coffee, Trails, and Companionship

This morning was the turning point in a saga of stress that had lingered like a persistent fog over my workdays. Solving the intricate puzzle of a development pipeline issue not only cleared the haze but also set a triumphant tone for the day. With a sense of accomplishment, I met with my friend Ty and his father for our weekly coffee engagement—a ritual that has become a beacon of warmth and connection in my routine.

Our meetings over coffee have turned into a cherished tradition, a space where time seems to pause, allowing us to revel in the simple joy of conversation and the quiet hum of life around us. Being invited into this fold by Ty and his father has added a layer of interpersonal richness to my life, for which I am deeply grateful.

With spirits buoyed by caffeine and company, I proposed a trail run to Ty. The opportunity to lace up and hit the paths of Emmenegger with my loyal companion Goat was met with enthusiasm. Our run was mapped out as a 'yin yang' course—a trail loop we've come to know well, yet each run feels like a new experience. The harmony of movement, the rustle of leaves underfoot, and the camaraderie of good friends made for a run that felt more like a celebration of the moment than exercise.

Adding to the day's refreshment, Goat found joy in the slightly fuller stream, a natural feature that has become his favorite cooling-off spot. The mild weather, a serendipitous warmth in the midst of a season known for its chill, granted us an interlude from the typical briskness of late autumn.

Today also marked the trial of my new trail running companions—my Altra Lone Peaks All Weather Mid Tops. I've come to rely on the comfort and stability of the Lone Peaks for my trail adventures, but the Mid Tops were an untested variable. To my delight, they enveloped my feet with familiar comfort, unnoticed and unobtrusive, as I navigated the terrain. The true test will come with the winter's cold, but the initial miles have cast a promising light on these new arrivals to my running gear.

As the trails wound down, so did our conversation turn to a mutual exchange of life's recent complexities. Ty and I found solace in sharing our frustrations, each serving as the other's confidant against the backdrop of nature's own therapy. The catharsis of conversation, matched with the endorphin release of a good run, was as potent a remedy as any therapist's couch.

As I prepare for my upcoming therapy session, I carry with me the day's lessons—the power of problem-solving, the strength found in friendship, and the restorative embrace of the natural world. Until the next time we meet, the trails, whether of earth or thought, await.


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