onepinkfuzzy: Cactus Forest

This morning was a different sort of run for me. I generally run alone or with one other person, unless I'm on one of the trail group's runs (in which case, I'm usually alone, cuz I'm waaaay in the back).

Today, Lisa picked me up and we drove over to Beyond Bread to meet Kiera and Donna. We were a minute early - 6:16 - and piled into Kiera's new Pilot (very cool, although the seat belt for the middle seat in the middle section was very interesting - I had to put it together myself...). I admired Kiera's awesomely huge sunglasses (mine were left at S&S AS 4 in KY this summer) as we headed over to the Cactus Forest system of trails at the base of the Rincon Mountains. I was hoping desperately to not get us lost in the maze of trails!

It was a fantastic run. Four women, almost non-stop talking (of course, there were moments when we were all too tired to speak, but in a good way). It reminded me of running Sugar & Spice 50k earlier this year. Just a great community; great camraderie. The cactus forest was succently green. We saw a black snake, I saw a slug, lots of birds were out and something that was big that scrambled into the bushes too quickly for me to determine it's species. We passed two other women running, a couple of guys out running, quite a few hikers and two horses. I found someone who is willing to wake up early in the winter to run the River Path in the dark (Lisa (and possibly Donna, but it sounded like she'd have to go waaay early)), which will help tremendously while I'm training for OP50. Lisa may also join some of the trail group's runs - she comes from a hiking background like I do, and finds it fun to run the trails (you get to see so much more so much quickly!).Oh - and we did not get lost (thanks to Donna for reading the top of the Pink Hill Trail sign as I was trying to figure out where in the world we were). We enjoyed chilled gatorade at the finish (thank you Kiera!) as the gnats buzzed all around us.

We followed up with breakfast at Beyond Bread (maple scones...mmm....) before heading our separate ways.

No run with Kiera next Saturday; we'll both be too tired from watching Mike's band, Starcrunch, rock out at Club Congress on Friday night. Should be fun!

Comments

maybe it was a typo but did you mean you were a minute late at 6:16 - not early? Or where you planning on meeting at 6:17 ;)

Sounds like a great run!

Posted by: Jessica | August 26, 2006 04:32 PM

Not a typo - Kiera instructed us to be there at 6:17 : )

Posted by: angie's pink fuzzy | August 26, 2006 04:44 PM

awww. that sounds like so much fun. I miss having girl friends to run with.

Posted by: jkrunning | August 26, 2006 05:29 PM

Awesome run! Darn knats!

Posted by: Denise "Firefly" | August 26, 2006 06:01 PM

Yep. 6:17. I'm funny that way.

Posted by: Kiera | August 26, 2006 06:41 PM

Sounds like a great time. I was reading up on the Sugar & Spice 50K and that's such a great idea.
Sometimes it feels like you're an island with all those men out there.

Posted by: Renee | August 27, 2006 10:53 AM

Sounds like a beautifu, desert environment to run in. I'm jealous! Your run sounded so great you've compelled me to stop procrastinating and do my weekend long run - 16 miles today.

Posted by: bex | August 27, 2006 11:40 AM

Yay, you had a chick run too-fun times!!

Posted by: Kim | August 27, 2006 01:02 PM

Sounds like fun.

I enjoy running with all types of people. But I have to admit that it's fun to run with just a group of guys. Lots of "Smack Talk" and such.

I imagine that a all womens run is sorta similar except maybe a more sophisticated dialogue exchange.

Good times...

Posted by: Josh | August 27, 2006 02:10 PM

Angie,

I just love the term "Cactus Forest" and it is so apt for that area. It is defintely one of the "burned in my memory" places I have run. Your lucky to have such great terrain. Sounds like you had a great time!

Posted by: Steve | August 27, 2006 06:22 PM

I have read a couple of books on women's running this summer and they talk a lot about the bond women share when they run together. Your post captured it beautifully.

Posted by: Sarah Elaine | August 27, 2006 07:30 PM

cactus forest is what i need!!!

nice run!

Posted by: steph | August 28, 2006 03:08 AM

Very nice!

Sometimes I like running alone, But really, the camraderie of running with my women friends can't be beat!

Posted by: Sarah | August 28, 2006 08:40 AM

oh sounds like so much fun!

I don't have girlfriends to run with anymore around here! :(

Posted by: Tanya | August 28, 2006 08:46 AM

Sounds like a great time. It's nice to have others to run with early in the morning.

Posted by: Rob | August 28, 2006 12:41 PM