Vagabond

Of Misfits and Monsters

In a common understanding, my brain doesn’t function properly. I see and hear things that don’t exist in the outside world. My mind creates and populates worlds fit only for imagination, and I can spend hours weaving through their streets and forests to try and understand the occupants of the fabricated existence. I don’t knowContinue reading “Of Misfits and Monsters”

Green Peace

I fell in love with Cane Creek Park the first time I ran there in late 2018. In comparison to several other parks, it’s relatively isolated and quiet. There have been numerous adventures in the woods there that I haven’t seen a single person save for the office attendant greeting me at the entrance. I’mContinue reading “Green Peace”

Stability

Feeling off-balance is troubling. The initial instinct to stretch out your arms and find some stabilizing structure of permanence is inevitable. Oftentimes, on the trails, that which we need to keep us upright is just out of reach. We fall. We bleed. We break. We mend… hopefully. This year I’ve been entirely off-balance. My mentalContinue reading “Stability”

Commit To The Script

In 1995 a movie of epically good/bad proportions was released. Mortal Kombat had become a sensation in the gaming world just a few years before, instantly capturing the hearts of young fans while repulsing their parents. If you were like me, you fell in love with the grotesque nature of the game in its twistedContinue reading “Commit To The Script”

The Rock: A Love Story in 14 Miles

When we first planned this course, it was designed to highlight the park and to give runners a chance to see how beautiful it was if they had never been there before. Being on Valentine’s Day weekend, we also centered much of the swag around that notion of love as well. In rescheduling this raceContinue reading “The Rock: A Love Story in 14 Miles”

Cardboard Castles

I was fortunate growing up. Our little suburb was tucked out in rural nowhere, and the developer left a large chunk of wooded area in the middle to match the hundreds of acres of undeveloped woods between us and the closest interstate (I-85 represent!). With this setup, there was little reason to use the roadsContinue reading “Cardboard Castles”

The Parting Glass

It hurts, in so many ways. But it doesn’t change, no matter the willpower you deign to throw at it. Our bodies, our effort, our lives are on a direct path toward decay. So, what do you do now? Do you fight the dying embers of reality? Do you acquiesce to the compulsive fear ofContinue reading “The Parting Glass”

How to Spend Your Reality Check

There’s an emotional cliff awaiting every runner after a major event. The cheers of the fellow runners and the setting of race day atmosphere have dissipated into your memories, leaving you with yourself; the harshest critic of your abilities you’ve ever met. Maybe you hit your goal, but did you feel as good as youContinue reading “How to Spend Your Reality Check”

Depression

There’s a brief moment of terror you may find yourself in on the trails, where you’ve misstepped and your body loses balance and begins wavering. Your stomach may drop. Your mind may rush through the tragedy that could unfold. But most likely you’ll experience nothing more than a grin as you regain control and carryContinue reading “Depression”

Goon Dock Running

“It’s ok. Goonies make mistakes. Just don’t make anymore.” You’re going to screw up during a run. At some point, you’re going to make a mistake and need to recalibrate, adjust, or bring yourself back from the brink of disaster. It’s ok. Plans are amazing and I make quite a few of them – fromContinue reading “Goon Dock Running”