Fitton Green Trail Run, An Adventure of A Very Good Kind.

I am attempting to morph into a trail runner. It is a difficult process involving many new conquered hills and climbing an average of 1000ft per 4 miles- then dropping back down again. Don't ask me how I do it because I won't tell you. Well, okay I will, it involves some walking at this point. Yep, we all start where we are and need to know our limits. My limits are mostly in my head, but even knowing that doesn't make it easier to shut that voice out that says, "stop, stop, stop- you can't do this". Although it is getting quieter and quieter.  Hills are a whole new deal, they are the hard core building blocks of a good runner. I'll warn you, it can be addictive- the views are incredible, and that feeling when you reach the top of a little mountain, not even all my babbling could do it justice.

Here is a trail run I'll take you on. Starting in Corvallis, Oregon at the Oak Creek Parking lot and heading up towards Mulkey hill. For the exact directions go here. It is about 7 miles there and back. Climb up 1,217ft, and then 1,217 ft back down...well worth every step.

The trail goes up and up and up. I wore a camelpack and realized early on that my dog needed the water much more than I did- also that he needed a summer shave when we got home, as it was just too hot for him to run with all his winter wool.

I decided to give Julius some water, with the intention of drinking after him.  When I saw the insane amount of floaties he deposited in the water after he was through and saw him eat horse poo all the way up I decided unless I was in extreme need of that water I would just let him have the rest. I was never in extreme need.

There was finally a tiny downhill after the whole way there of a climb- it is about 1200ft of a climb in just 3.5 miles. If it sounds easy, you either are a much better trail runner than I am, or you are clueless.

Then, the view. Wait for it, wait for it....Woah.

It is much easier to run up a trail, when your eyes are distracted by beauty.

The top of Fitton Green, God made beauty that I couldn't stop admiring. And it was a great spot to catch our breath!

I highly recommend this run up to Fitton Green, and even if you can't go that far there is a way to drive up most of the way and just see the beauty. Somehow though I wonder if something you work hard for is much more beautiful than something that comes easy.

What could be more beautiful than admiring this sight and knowing that the whole way back is DOWNHILL!? A beautiful feeling.

Believe it or not there are more pictures, if you are interested see my Running Set on Flickr

Wanna run??

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