Week 6 - Day 4 - 10 Miles

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement." - Steve Prefontaine

DISCOVERY!!! Forest Park has a running trail! Forest Park is an absolutely breathtaking park in North West of Portland. This park is only a few miles from the heart of downtown Portland and while you are within it, you would think you are lost in the middle of Fern Gully.

Oregon does good forests, let me tell you.

I have only been in part of the park previously for hiking and the trails I encountered were not smooth enough for running unless you are quite skilled. However, I just learned that there is another trail that is gravel and quite wide that was intended as a roadway but was never finished. This trail is 11 miles long through the heart of the forest via a series of gentle switchbacks, plenty long enough for my long (and getting longer) runs. I took the trail with Margaret, Sean and Justin, switched on my audio book and began my journey.

The run went well for the most part. While the path was less smooth then I would like it to be it was still an absolutely gorgeous experience and my body felt quite strong. I will admit my legs were worn out by the end but I finished, smiling. I will never tire of the lovely trees covered in furry moss, the electric green leaves, the fiddlehead ferns, the clover. I do believe I have found heaven. I think often about all the sights I have seen in the last 6 weeks alone while training and realize the I am always a tourist, gazing upon new discoveries with wonder and true delight. I believe these experiences are as vital to my happiness as air is to my lungs.