Coastal Trail
How I marveled when I first saw you spread before my feet
High above Stinson, hugging the contours of Mt. Tam
Trying desperately not to trip while taking in the view.
I returned again.
And came back with Jessica to run some more, each time going a little further.
And a little higher.
Until you revealed yourself to be almost entirely uphill all the way to Willow Camp.
And I began to rue the difficulty you presented coming at mile 7, mile 10 or mile 15 in a run.
But still I couldn't deny the sheer breadth of your allure and beauty
And the magazine-worthy pictures I took again and again in my mind.
I cursed you. I embraced you.
I watched as other runners passed, dipping in and out of sight along your curves far, far ahead.
I slowed to a walk.
I pretended to be admire the view while taking deep gasps of air.
I suffered.
It was a love-dislike relationship with you.
You tortured me. I came back for more.
And then fate brought us together again, but in the reverse direction
And I had only to follow you back to Matt Davis as you coaxed me along.
There was no struggle.
There were the same familiar contours, the sweeping views out to the Farallons and across Stinson Beach
I was lighter, you were kinder.
And I marveled anew as you lay spread before my feet.
And then I died a little coming up Old Mine Trail.
(Larissa running along Coastal above Stinson Beach. She's training for Pike's Peak 1/2 ascent!)
High above Stinson, hugging the contours of Mt. Tam
Trying desperately not to trip while taking in the view.
I returned again.
And came back with Jessica to run some more, each time going a little further.
And a little higher.
Until you revealed yourself to be almost entirely uphill all the way to Willow Camp.
And I began to rue the difficulty you presented coming at mile 7, mile 10 or mile 15 in a run.
But still I couldn't deny the sheer breadth of your allure and beauty
And the magazine-worthy pictures I took again and again in my mind.
I cursed you. I embraced you.
I watched as other runners passed, dipping in and out of sight along your curves far, far ahead.
I slowed to a walk.
I pretended to be admire the view while taking deep gasps of air.
I suffered.
It was a love-dislike relationship with you.
You tortured me. I came back for more.
And then fate brought us together again, but in the reverse direction
And I had only to follow you back to Matt Davis as you coaxed me along.
There was no struggle.
There were the same familiar contours, the sweeping views out to the Farallons and across Stinson Beach
I was lighter, you were kinder.
And I marveled anew as you lay spread before my feet.
And then I died a little coming up Old Mine Trail.
(Larissa running along Coastal above Stinson Beach. She's training for Pike's Peak 1/2 ascent!)
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