Feeling the dirt under my feet and the cool breeze on my face was just what I needed. While I am so happy to be back running, I have been so uninspired by my running routes. They have been 98% on pavement where my views have been houses and a cacophony of vehicles.
I haven’t felt a connection with nature for a long time. So I jumped at the invitation to run with Diane along the trails in Lacombe. A couple years ago I ran a half-marathon on the trails but I haven’t been back.
As you can see it was a glorious spring day. We met at 9 a.m. at the college parking lot. I was early as usual so I took the extra minutes to warm up with lunges and squats. (Clearly I do not do enough all week at Crossfit.)
Diane is a member of the Lacombe Running Club and one of the keepers of the trails. I couldn’t ask for a better tour guide. She explained the history along the trail and pointed out landmarks. (Maybe I should have tipped her at the end of the run.)
Look at that view! This was just what I needed. My body responded well to the hills and the trails. We ran a moderate pace which kept the “ow” factor low. Lacombe is only 20-25 minutes north of Red Deer. I need to run here more often.
I assured Diane that I do not always take so many pictures when I run. But I couldn’t resist documenting along the way. Diane was on the look out for flowers and she found some on the way. (Don’t ask me what they were. No clue!)
I am the queen of the trail! This bench was oddly at a random spot on the trails. One could sit for hours and contemplate life while staring out at the lake. You could see for miles in each direction.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the late Bill Nielsen. An avid runner, Nielsen built the beautiful trail system in Lacombe. I didn’t know Nielsen but I did meet him at a few races as runners do. Proceeds from Bill’s Trail Run in October go to efforts to upkeep the trails. The city wants to pave a lot of the trails which I think is a damn shame.
In all we ran a nice 16K. I didn’t push it too much which is just as well. It was my first “long” trail run of the year. (I am not counting Riverbend as a trail run.) Every few minutes, I would proclaim how lovely it was to be in such beauty. I felt so refreshed and rejuvenated.
I have a little over a month before Blackfoot. Injuries aside, I am super excited to race! It may “only” be the 25K but it’s going to be awesome!
Looked like a great day! Need to get out on the (few) trails around here soon, they tend to be pretty mucky right after the winter. Good luck with the continuing rehab, sounds like it's going well!
Thanks Brian!
I want to go for a run there! lovely. Sounds like your mileage is coming along!
Yes it is so nice and a nice change from the damn pavement.
It was a fabulous run with you:). The flowers that are out now are wild crocuses that grow on Bill's hill- on Barnett, where Bill's Bench is located. Thank you for the great blog! We hope to get more people out using our natural trails. Anyone can contact us on the Lacombe Running Club FB page for 'tours' and we do have the BTR (Bill Nielsen Trail Run) on Oct 3- Registration is now open on the running room or billstrailrun.ca. Again thank you Crystal!
So nice! Thanks again Diane!