Kirk blAug

This morning's run at Castlewood State Park with Goat and Ty was a blend of physical exertion and emotional catharsis. Ty, a dependable friend, lent a listening ear as I navigated through the complexities of my divorce. The Skippo loop trail provided the perfect backdrop for venting and unwinding. Back home, the day unfolded with a comfortable laziness, punctuated by Jupiter's hockey game later in the evening. Meanwhile, Jupiter had his own adventure at Guitar Center, diving into the world of music with his friends. The highlight was witnessing him skillfully handle a $2000 Eddie Van Halen replica guitar, a moment that clearly resonated with his musical passion. During this time, Tsunami embarked on a unique culinary adventure, using ChatGPT to concoct recipes from ingredients we had at home. It was an experiment in creativity and culinary exploration. While the outcome, like breaded grapes in Parmesan and hot sauce, might not become a family favorite, it was a fun and adventur

Today was a whirlwind of tension, beginning with an anxiety-inducing co-parenting counseling appointment. To add to the strain, a complex problem at work presented itself as an unyielding puzzle, contributing another layer of stress to my already fraught day. In search of solace, I turned to my meditation practice, hoping to find balance in its calming repetition. When a single session didn't suffice, I doubled down, giving myself over to the practice a second time. Seeking further release, I laced up my running shoes and set out with Goat, my loyal companion, for a run that I hoped would clear my mind as effectively as it would energize my body. However, it wasn't until the responsibilities of work and the weight of the appointment had lifted that I truly found my escape. I delved into the virtual worlds of video games—a realm where stress and reality dissolve into pixelated adventures. Today, I lost myself in the creativity of Tsunami's Mario Maker level, then transitione

 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

This morning's journey with Goat, my steadfast four-legged companion, led us to the Lewis and Clark trail system in Weldon Spring, a place that holds a special spot in my heart. On a whim, I decided to break the routine and traverse the Lewis loop in the opposite, clockwise direction. This slight deviation from the norm felt like a refreshing change of perspective, a small rebellion against the expected. As we reached the point where the Lewis and Clark trails diverge, I chose the path less traveled by us lately — the Clark loop. The decision proved serendipitous. Away from my usual favorite bluff on Lewis, I stumbled upon a new bluff accessible from Clark. There, enveloped by the stillness, I paused to meditate. The tranquility was palpable, seeping into my very being and carrying through the rest of my run. The trails were quiet, with the overcast sky and brisk air deterring most from venturing outdoors. For Goat, this meant the freedom of roaming off-leash, a joy mirrored in his

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 cou