with trail running! I have pretty much been a road runner for over 20 years. Since I have decided to run a 50k trail race in October, I figured it would be a good idea to start running on trails. I'm lucky to be only about 20 minutes away from the US White Water Center, so I drove up there Sunday morning to try out the trails. I took my first few steps and fell COMPLETELY in love!! I've always been an avid backpacker, so I love being on trails, and during my run I kept asking myself why in the world I had never tried running on them before now!! I had only planned on doing one loop, but I felt so good when I finished, I turned right around and ran the loop backwards. I honestly considered running it a third time, but I didn't bring enough fuel and hydration for a run that long, so I figured I should end on a high note. My mantra for this run? What I lack in speed, I make up with pure joy! Not a mantra that coordinates with my cadence, but it made me smile over and over again. :)