Stages Of Being A Runner

 

 I do believe there are many stages to running - or, more precisely, to being a runner.

• First, you give it a try - most likely a rather clumsy or less than fluid try.
• If you stick with it, your runs grow longer, perhaps more challenging, and they feel more natural.
• You might start running with a friend or group or club adding a social component to the whole affair. You might even get a bit of a competitive itch, adding a personal challenge component to your running spectrum.
• That competitive itch - or maybe just a heightened sense of confidence - grows and you find yourself recording your times over your various running routes trying to set PRs or you may even find yourself at the starting line of a race.
• At this stage, you might even be identifying yourself as a runner and running is part of your daily routine, a key element of your lifestyle. This stage can go on for years.
• As you age, it's possible that your running, still a big part of you, may wind down a bit. Your mileage may slip, you may no longer be quite so speedy, the frequency of your runs may decrease, maybe you don't race as much as you used to. But - you still see yourself as a runner - or once a runner which, after all of the miles, played a huge role in who you are today.

What stage am I at? I consider myself to be firmly ensconced in the stage of "perambulating tourist." As I run I love love love to look around - at the trees, clouds, architecture, gardens, birds, storefronts, dogs, cows, insects, rocks, rivers, little free libraries, signs, fields, bakeries, trucks, mountain tops, crashing waves. You name it. If it's out there, I like looking at it. That is really why I'm still running hither and yon - just to see what there is to see, to feel the breeze on my face, to breath deep, sweat...feel alive and moving through this magnificent world, witnessing it via my own two feet.

Why do I bring this up today? Because today was a mighty fine perambulating day. I ran a loop that I've not been on since my hip went wonky and boy oh boy was I happy to be out there.  These photos are a sampling of what this perambulating tourist was treated to today.

Looking back west as I headed east. The dark sky surprised me.

 

The babbling South Boulder Creek and its
riverside wildflowers/weeds 

The elegance of field grass

A lovely little ladybug

 

 

 

 

 

So many beautiful colors in one sunflower patch!

 Ah the delights of looking all about.
Who knows what surprises may be lurking just in front/beside/above/below!