Dusty Shortcut

It was a sunny day and I wasn't looking forward to how much more I was going to sweat because of it. I told myself...this is NOT a 10 miler day. Not even close.
But it's been 3 days since I ran. Despite the weather and a pounding headache...I laced up my new shoes and fired up my ipod.

I ran to second gate, then down Otter trail. I only noticed a small dirt trail last week that connects Otter to American River Trail. It would be a shortcut if I took it, cutting out at least a quarter of a mile...maybe more. I certainly didn't feel like I needed a shortcut. I could have kept going and ran around the field like I always do...but there was something very appealing about that short little trail.
It had loose rocks and patches of rough grass. It sloped downhill then flattened out into a heavily pounded dirt surface just as you passed by Beth's house. She's a friend of mine. From there you end up running down Beth's rock gravel driveway before reaching American River Trail.
It was a small taste of trail running. I will venture into that world. I know I will. I can feel it starting to stir inside my soul. We have hundreds of dirt trails around here.
But for now- I will stick to pavement. I have dreams that are calling from blackened asphalt streets. Wings to take me higher down the broken road of life.

Today's running time: 42.08