Friday, October 3, 2008

Reflections from a Nine Mile Run

I feel so blessed to live in a place where I can head out my door and enjoy a peaceful, serene run.

Before I hit mile one, I'm out on the trail, following the ditch bank, and encountering everything that this rural residential village in New Mexico has to offer.

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. It's a lot different there than it is here. Lots of houses. Tall trees and grass. Grey skies. More traffic. People are always seem to be in a hurry.

I wasn't a runner back then, but even if I was. I surely wouldn't find myself face-to-face with a llama out on a run, that's for sure.


I love running on the ditch bank. For one thing, the sand is nicer to my body than pavement. But I also enjoy watching the changes during the seasons.

The ditch doesn't always have water in it, but it does this time of year. It was a treat to find ducks swimming in it today.

When we first moved out here it was culture shock in many ways. My first impressions of New Mexico were blue skies that went on forever and the friendliest people I have ever met.

It took a while to get accustomed to the sand and gravel and lack of grass, but it quickly grew on me.


It seems like I always have to stop at least once on my long runs to let a horse go by. Today was no exception. In fact, I had to stop twice.

Not that it mattered that much to me. I'm never one to pass up the opportunity for a walk break especially if I happen to find a shady spot.


We don't get much color in the autumn, most plants and the leaves on the native trees turn yellow. I do miss the rich colors of autumn leaves back home.

I can't think of any activity that's better for both my mind and body than running. And what a great place to live for doing just that.

25 comments:

  1. I wonderful post! I have the same feelings having moved from PA to Arizona 12 years ago. Such a different place. I'm glad my kids are going to grow up here rather than there.

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  2. Thanks for posting this today. I've been putting off my run but reading this makes me want to do it instead of feeling like I "have to" do it.

    Great post! Great pics too.

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  3. You need to adopt me. Mom? :-)

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  4. I love the pictures! I am with you, I never pass up the opportunity for a walk break. I have been running with some people that don't stop and walk and I look for little reasons to stop...gah! LOL

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  5. I love, love, love running recaps with pictures. Such a great post today, looks like you had a beautiful run. I'm so jealous.

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  6. We love llamas. They're such funny creatures. And I think your schedule seems full in a good way. Lots of fun family stuff going on.

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  7. Wow what a wonderful run!! So different from my runs on the boardwalk. No animals, unless of course you count the guys that like to spit as they run....

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  8. Beautiful journey..

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  9. Thanks for sharing, many sights I'll never see on a run around here, for sure.

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  10. Looks like a great run! Thanks for sharing the pics!!!

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  11. Lovely post. I moved to New Mexico from Chicago when I was 24, and fell in love with it.

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  12. Love the pics - especially the llama!

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  13. i LOVE THE PICS OF THE RUN!

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  14. What a great post and great pics. I would love to join you for a run along the ditch bank and yellow plants and llamas, etc.

    You have captured the serenity and beauty nicely.

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  15. Lovely pictures! I felt I was with you on that run.. I love the trail!

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  16. Looks like such a great run.

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  17. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Thank you for the great pictures. LOVE llamas, horses, and ducks!

    I grew up in a rural area and always still consider myself a country girl even though I have been in the city (city-ish, the snobby San Franciscans look down on poor San Jose as not a real city)for almost 20 years now.

    Glad you had a beautiful and pain-free run today!

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  18. Your route seems very nice. I usually run around neighborhoods or parks. I wish I lived more in the country where there's just long stretches of gravel roads to run on and quietness...Someday...

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  19. Pics are great. Looks peaceful!

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  20. What a lovely post :)
    thanks for the get well wishes - I must have put things wrong in my post, becuase I AM all better now!

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  21. Very nice post and gorgeous pictures :)

    My bike ride yesterday took me through your neck of the woods. It was really pretty!!

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  22. Thanks for introducing New Mexico in word and picture. I love seeing other parts of the world.

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  23. Fabulous pics. I can't imagine such beautiful scenery. I grew up in Ohio also.

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  24. Like a wild but serene oasis. Beautiful!

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  25. Running in a beautiful place is what make it so worthwhile...at least for me. I'm glad you enjoy that aspect of it too.

    I always run through the park. My most recent favorite memory was running through a grove of tall sequoias surrounded by a bit of ocean mist that highlighted the beams of sun shining in between the shadows of the leaves. :)

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