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Mt Greylock Road Race in North Adams, MA
May 5, 2019
This race is part of the USATF Mountain Series, I ran as a Gate City Strider.
I'm a Mountain Goat! This was my 6th race to qualify. Next year I will tackle Mt Washington!
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Walking through fear
In 2006 I traveled to Arizona alone to visit family. This was written back then.
On Saturday I conquered my
first fear of my vacation. I was a bit worried that I would fly out to Arizona
and then sit around waiting for someone to plan something or someone to do
activities with. For about an hour I puttered on that line, before deciding I’d
just go for a drive. To know my area, I’d drive out to the place I wanted to go
on the trail ride. A few minutes later on mapquest, I discovered how close I
was to the ranch, the plan was set, and off I went.
As I headed off in my boat of a rental car over the dry river, a level of calm came over me. I was out on an adventure, driving to who knows where all by myself. A few turns later I discovered I was in Saguaro National Park. I pulled over at a picnic area to change from my tevas to boots. It was rattlesnake season after all. While there I bumped into a pair of rangers, the younger of the two walked me to his truck, gave me a map and suggestions on where to walk. I had no idea I could pull over anywhere, just get out and walk.
I drove back to the edge of the park where I entered, pulled over and started walking. Once I was away from the road, the fear hit me. The rational logical voice started in saying “Johanna, you are a 5’3” female, you are in a strange area, you can handle city, but no one will hear you scream out here” I paused, listened, and kept walking. The voice continued, and I pondered it moving slower, wondering should I turn around now, if something happened it would be days before the connection was made as to who disappeared. I kept going having decided I would not miss out on this opportunity just because of a fear of a minute chance that I’d get killed in the middle of no where. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I was scared, and the next 20 feet I could feel every hair on my body, would life call me on my decision, was danger right around the next rock face. The ground turned to sandy gravel, not a terrain I could run quickly in and then it passed. I had accepted my risks and preferred the rewards. The weight of the fear removed, I walked on.
Eventually I found a patch of shade, sat down, took out a journal and wrote. I listened to the birds, the movement of bugs and small animals I could not see. I watched the surroundings. I breathed. I was for a moment without fear.
As I headed off in my boat of a rental car over the dry river, a level of calm came over me. I was out on an adventure, driving to who knows where all by myself. A few turns later I discovered I was in Saguaro National Park. I pulled over at a picnic area to change from my tevas to boots. It was rattlesnake season after all. While there I bumped into a pair of rangers, the younger of the two walked me to his truck, gave me a map and suggestions on where to walk. I had no idea I could pull over anywhere, just get out and walk.
I drove back to the edge of the park where I entered, pulled over and started walking. Once I was away from the road, the fear hit me. The rational logical voice started in saying “Johanna, you are a 5’3” female, you are in a strange area, you can handle city, but no one will hear you scream out here” I paused, listened, and kept walking. The voice continued, and I pondered it moving slower, wondering should I turn around now, if something happened it would be days before the connection was made as to who disappeared. I kept going having decided I would not miss out on this opportunity just because of a fear of a minute chance that I’d get killed in the middle of no where. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I was scared, and the next 20 feet I could feel every hair on my body, would life call me on my decision, was danger right around the next rock face. The ground turned to sandy gravel, not a terrain I could run quickly in and then it passed. I had accepted my risks and preferred the rewards. The weight of the fear removed, I walked on.
Eventually I found a patch of shade, sat down, took out a journal and wrote. I listened to the birds, the movement of bugs and small animals I could not see. I watched the surroundings. I breathed. I was for a moment without fear.
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