Running Adventures

God Rays on Today's Run

If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, what I love most about running is the adventure of experiencing the immediate world around me.  Today was one such day. 

Not even a tenth of a mile into my run, and I spot a glorious God Ray Beam from the clouds in the sky.  I find it so beautifully glorious I am distracted by it for the next two miles, and eventually I run upon the view captioned above. 

Then I decided that I knew exactly where I can view this God Ray Beam close-up, and so off I go to run toward an adjacent field.

God Ray Beam Close-up

 Not five minutes later my hunch proves correct, and straight above is the small open portion of sky close-up. 
Although it looked stunning close-up, I decided that it looked it's most majestic from afar. 

Now, to cut through to the field above which the God Ray Beam shined, I had to run through some forested trails. I took a moment to take in the view of the river along these trails. 

Willamette River

I've been running in this area for over a year now, and I'm very familiar with it's ins and outs, but today I noticed a new trail, and so I decided to explore a bit.  I followed the trail, took in the greenery, and noticed a couple of other smaller trails which shot-off from the main trail.

New to Me Trail

And that's when I heard a pitter patter upon the tree leaves above me, and realized it had started to drizzle, and so I decided I would explore those trails another day, but before I departed, I stopped to smell the daisy's.

Daisy's

 
Off I went to continue on my way to visit my favorite oak tree as I haven't been able to take in it's loveliness for a few weeks. That's when, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a quick lightning bolt flash, and then soon afterward a fairly loud rumble.

My Most Favorite Oak Tree

 

And just like that I had a second wind, and found a renewed energy with which to run the 2.5 miles back home. 

And the thunder and lighting continued the entire way home.  And then, the large drops came down. And I mean they really came down. But it felt great to be rain soaked.  Lately my running has been blah in that physically I've been pooped out, but today's running adventure infused a new bout of energy, and I look forward to my next run and the adventure that will inevitably ensue. 

The Holiday Tree, A Bunny & a Nest

Yesterday was one of those runs which offered much to take joy

Bunny Foo Foo along the trail this morning.

in.  I'm not referring to a personal record; today was not my best running day--it felt like hell for most of the grueling 6.5 miles.  I'm referring to something much more special.  Yesterday I not only spotted a furry Bunny Foo Foo, but also spied an Osprey Nest, and my beloved Holiday Tree was all decorated for Memorial Day/4th of July.  

Osprey nest with Mom perched atop

What I love most about running is that you just never know who or what will cross your path, and you theirs.  Yesterday was one of those runs where every few miles I got to experience a moment of joy and awareness about the natural area in which I was running (and of course take a break from running to snap a pic).  Running is how I meet the world around me. 

Holiday Tree all ready for the Day of Red White & Blue