Kirk blAug

The first race of this year's Frostbite Series marked a significant milestone in my running journey. It was not only a return to a cherished winter tradition after the pandemic pause but also my debut as a board member of the Saint Louis Track Club. The 12k race, part of a series I've eagerly participated in for years, took on a new meaning as I embraced my evolved role. The Frostbite Series has always been a winter highlight for me, a time when I push my limits and often achieve my best times. There's something about the cold weather that invigorates me, sparking a stronger, more resilient version of myself as a runner. Today, the weather was unusually mild for a winter race, hovering around the 50s — an ideal condition that blended the briskness of the season with the comfort of a cool autumn day. Running alongside Ty, a familiar and encouraging presence, added to the excitement. Our strides in sync, we navigated the course, each step a testament to our dedication and the

 This morning's run was set against the backdrop of nature's own amphitheater at the Bluff View trailhead. My friend Ty and I were the early birds, with a plan to meet others, but a small mishap with communication led us to different starting points. Nevertheless, the trails decided we should reunite, and they wove our paths together in their own time. What felt like a swift journey through the Bluff View and Zombie trails culminated in an 8-mile adventure that surprisingly left me no more fatigued than when we started. The trails here have changed character over time, mostly due to the Greater Ozark Off-Road Cyclists (GORC) reshaping them with mountain bikers in mind. Though it's lost some of its allure for those of us on foot, the trail retains a certain charm that keeps us coming back. I’ve noticed a shift in my trail running habits; where once the trails were my weekday sanctuaries, they've now become weekend retreats. Perhaps it’s the natural progression of growing