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<\/p>\nHave I told you that I love to run? \u00a0Have I also mentioned that despite this love, and how great running makes me feel, I struggle to make time for it \u2013 especially in the dark, cold of winter?<\/p>\n
This conflict I have between wanting to run and making it a priority in my day, has been sorely apparent in my recent training. \u00a0Literally. \u00a0My ankles and muscles are a little tender from the long runs I\u2019ve been going on to prepare for what\u2019s to come this Saturday. \u00a0It came up way more quickly than I expected and I haven\u2019t trained as much as I had hoped to.<\/p>\n
So what am I running? \u00a0A 25K (~16 miles)\u00a0trail run \u2013 The Buffalo Run on Antelope Island. \u00a0And, yes, it is as wild as it sounds. \u00a0Antelope Island is a state park located in the Great Salt Lake, 7 miles from the shore of the nearest town. \u00a0There are pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, american bison (between 500 and 700 at any one time!), porcupine, badger, coyote, bobcat, and millions of waterfowl.<\/p>\n
This is my favorite kind of run. \u00a0I don\u2019t enjoy running in the city or between houses nearly as much \u2013 though I do often. \u00a0I prefer to run in small events (fewer people) and with amazing natural surroundings and wildlife\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026like the Moab Other Half that follows the Green River between tall red rock, where a lone eagle might make an appearance;<\/p>\n
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\u2026or the Little Grand Canyon Half in the San Rafael Swell \u2013 my favorite camping area \u2013 where all you see is red rock, blue sky, and green and yellow plants;<\/p>\n
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\u2026and my most recent favorite, the Wahsatch Steeplechase, that climbs a few thousand feet through spring wildflowers and melting snow before returning us to the city below.<\/p>\n
Each time I return from an event like these, I feel refreshed, inspired, and accomplished. \u00a0And, I also find that I have a sense of urgent creativity \u2013 not just during or after these events, but in training for them and spending time in nature and in motion \u2013 whether it\u2019s hiking with my dogs, working in the garden, or going camping with my husband and friends.<\/p>\n
They are all activities that get me away from my work and into a space where my mood is lifted and ideas have a chance to show up.\u00a0 The fact is, they allow me to clear my head of what I think I should be focusing on, as well as engage my senses and body. \u00a0I am present, so to speak. \u00a0And when this happens, my creative juices start flowing.<\/p>\n
On a sunny run one day last fall, for example, I ended up developing a fully-formed plan for an idea that I had barely\u00a0considered. \u00a0I came back from the run and spent the next half hour with my markers mapping the idea out on a white board in my office.\u00a0 Since then, I have been able to add to it and create something that I wouldn\u2019t have otherwise.\u00a0 And the really cool part?\u00a0 It felt inspired.\u00a0 Not rote or forced in any way.<\/p>\n
Healthy and creative \u2013 not just productive.\u00a0 What an awesome and powerful combination!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Have I told you that I love to run? \u00a0Have I also mentioned that despite this love, and how great running makes me feel, I struggle to make time for it \u2013 especially in the dark, cold of winter? This conflict I have between wanting to run and making it a priority in my day,… <\/p>\n