Most of today's run was above 10,000 feet on the beautiful Sourdough Trail. The group met at the south end near the Rainbow Lakes campground and headed north to Brainerd and then back. I've done a few high-elevation runs this year (about 7000 feet), but this was the first really biggie.
What I really liked above today's run was that almost all of it was runnable. I much prefer to keep an easy steady pace on an uphill that to be begging for up and having to walk up a steep grade. I also appreciated the cool air at that height which makes for some very pleasant running.
Having lived in Boulder for more than 5 years I was used to the mile-high elevation in Boulder and even fairly comfortable up to around 7000 feet. The race at Golden Gate State Park and today's run offer a truly different perspective on running and the need to slow down.
It was very obvious from the start in the parking lot that oxygen was in short supply. You are immediately confronted with the need to slow down and find the balance between oxygen to the legs and oxygen to the brain. Of course we usually want to run faster which means more oxygen to the legs so they can do what they do best. It doesn't take long after that before you caught a toe on a rock and manage an unsightly twist before regaining balance. What just happened? Well with all that oxygen going to the legs, the brain didn't have enough to pay attention.
I love running on trails and part of that is the required awareness and attention on staying upright, finding the perfect landing spot on each step to keep balance and forward movement. Some of the awareness is clearly in the realm of grace and cooperating with the energy of nature and the trail to guide you. Still there is some human attention needed as well, that's where the brain and oxygen come in.
What a joy today to explore and completely enjoy a new trail - all the while finding that balance of oxygen deployment on every part of the trail.
Dancing With the Dirt Rating Today - 9 out of 10!
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