When you suck at something you love

In this particular case, trail running races.

I love trail running. Love, love, love. I pretend to traipse through the forest with speed and ease.

Am I fast at trail running?

No.

Do I care?

Also, no.

Glass ankles, a fear of breaking my face and a general sense of “it so does not matter” adequately describes my lack of desire to push for speed on the trails. I think of Gary Robbins leaping down rooty mountain faces and admire his bravery whilst I hold on to trees, picking my own way down. I watch my friends bound from rock to rock and envy their dexterity. I try to bring my heart rate down as those around me chatter on effortlessly.

And yet.

I can finally accept that I’ll never lead the pack in a trail race. And the very best part of coming to this realization/acceptance that I kinda suck is that I just. don’t. care. And it’s delightful! How liberating! How good for my ankles!

True acceptance of personal suckiness can lead to happiness. That, my friends, is the hot tip of the day.

Before the trail traipsing.

Traipsing locale.

If not for this girl, I would have walked the whole way.

After! It’s about as warm as Robin looks.

LC: Baby smuggler.

Edit: this in no way reflects on the trail capabilities of those around me during said race. In fact, you folks are the only reason I don’t walk off the course at the first available trailhead. Onwards!