I run because...

Although I call myself a triathlete, running is still my sport of choice. It's what I do to clear my mind, to feel healthy, strong and alive. In a race, I can't wait for the moment when I'm done with the stress of open water swims and the adrenaline of bike racing, I can drop all the equipment, all the worry, and just do what I do best. Nothing to get in my way, and nothing to think about but staying relaxed and keeping my feet moving fast. People have been running since they stood on two legs. It's primitive, it's free, and it's something I'm so glad to have discovered a passion for. Three runs over the holiday break reminded me why I do this sport, and I've been wanting to write about them ever since.

#1: Annapolis, MD. From my house, over the Naval Academy bridge, past my elementary school and down to Greenbury Point, a beautiful set of trails right by the Severn River that I need to explore more often. It was late afternoon, the sun hitting the leaves and water in that perfect way. I wanted to know where every trail led, and I ended up running for much longer than I had planned. Back over the bridge just as sunset was approaching, and home again with the ever-addicting mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.  

#2: St. George Island, FL. On a family vacation, staying at a beach house just behind the dunes. It was morning, and heavy fog made visibility impossible beyond about 10 ft. I ran down a road parallel to the beach for about 20 minutes, then turned toward the sand to head back. I ran home on the beach, right on the edge where the sand was still hard-packed from the waves. It was the most surreal run of my life. It was as if this stretch of silent beach, the seagulls and pelicans that occasionally flew by, and I were the only things left in the world. Unable to see even to where the beach houses began, I took a guess about 40 minutes in and headed up to the dunes, fortunately finding my street right away. It was perfect.

#3: St. George Island, FL. Another beach run, but this one completely different. It was about 4:30 in the afternoon, and I wanted to try my first barefoot beach run ever. It felt summer warm, so all I needed was a pair of shorts and a sports bra. This time I walked right out to the beach so I could do my entire run on the sand. With slow sitar music playing on my iPod, my bare feet splashing in the waves as they hit the shore, I just kept going. All I could think about was how much beauty was surrounding me. I  ran as the sun set, not wanting to stop even as I could feel blisters forming on my toes. When I was finally spent, I collapsed in the sand and just stared at they sky turning to dusk. After a final soak of my feet in the water, I hobbled back to the beach house, not realizing how long I'd actually been gone. My parents were ready to come searching for me — (sorry for the stress, mom and dad.)

And Boulder, while it doesn't have rivers or oceans, is beautiful in its own way. Here, I get to run through the mountains, watch the sun setting behind the Flatirons, catch a view of the whole city from up on Flagstaff. I run because for me, there's no better way to feel like a part of my surroundings and appreciate what the world has to offer. I hope I'll be able to run until I'm old, because few things make me more content.

A sampling of perfect beach-at-sunset run music:

Maharaj Pariksit

Give and take.

Caryn

Rebounding

I still miss Italy... the experience, the people, the lifestyle. Being home is so different. Everyone speaks my language, an "antique" is something made in the 1950s, and coffee comes in a giant thermos rather than a sweet little mug. Instead of the beautiful view of Urbino's city walls, I'm watching sweaty kids playing in the pool from the vantage point of my lifeguard chair. In about a week the last of my friends that are still in Italy will be returning to the States, and I'll no longer be able to follow their blogs and photos, imagining I'm in Europe again. I guess it's time to get over being mopey and start focusing on real life.

Between my Italian trip and my return to Colorado in mid-August, I'm trying to work as much as possible and get back into shape. With humid Maryland days and a heat index of 115, though, finding energy and motivation is not easy. I haven't been able to go on a run longer than half an hour without feeling like passing out, and the pool feels like bath water. It's the first time I've taken such an extended break from exercise since junior year of high school, and it's a tough climb back up.

One thing that always gets me going, though, is a new piece of equipment. I just paid the deposit for my new tri bike, a Quintana Roo Chicqilo 2010. It's pink and white and super fast, and it's waiting for me in Highlands Ranch. The day I fly into Denver on August 17, I'm heading over to pick it up. Having a well-fitting, speedy bike will definitely make me want to get out on the roads as much as possible. I'm tired of spin class! I've also got a brand new pair of running shoes, the most recent version of the Mizuno Wave Riders, and my first pair of racing flats, neon yellow Saucony Grid Type A4s (free with the gift certificate we won at Nationals!) Who wouldn't want to get out and use all this fancy new gear?

I just keep telling myself that if I work hard through this part of the summer, bear the heat and humidity, and rely heavily on my iPod, I'll be back to my team in no time. In three weeks, I'll be in the foothills of Boulder trying to survive "Hell Week" with old and new Buffs. I'll be moving into a cute, spacious house with two of my best friends and one teammate that I'm looking forward to getting to know better. I'll have a class schedule full of journalism and education classes (no more calc!), and I'll go back to the CU Independent as an experienced returning reporter. I may even have a job at Boom Yogurt Bar, a brand new Ripple-style joint owned by a couple professional triathletes, Matt and Kelly Reed. (Just sent in the application, so it'll be a little while before I know for sure!)

Though I love being home, I get restless knowing that Colorado life is just around the corner. I miss being part of such a close-knit group like I had in Urbino, and it's hard to find that at home this summer since so many of my friends are traveling. Once in Boulder, I'll settle back into my CU Tri Team family, reunite with my best friends/sisters/roommates, and of course meet tons of new people. And being greeted every morning with the incredible Flatirons will be pretty cool too, I guess.

23 days. Hurry up :)

Give and take.
Caryn