Back on the trail again!

My last post reminded me of all the trail running I did last summer and fall in Colorado, and how much I fell in love with it. I've always loved running, getting to turn my mind off, getting to the mindset where you're only focusing on slowing the bellowing breath and putting one tired foot in front of the other. But there's something wonderful about getting lost back in the woods, being on a secluded trail where you hardly see a soul, pounding dirt/sand/pine needles rather than concrete. Being one with nature, if I can get a little granola for a second. Sometimes it helps to be running amidst the city, with the cars and people and noise and energy. Sometimes there's no where else I'd rather be in the world than on a trail with tall tall trees and green so bright my eyes hurt around me.

Happy June 1st! … Today I went back to Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge outside of Portland. This was the trail I ran/hiked on my first trip to PNW, the trail that had me falling in love with the Portland area, the trail that convinced me to move to Portland. That day I waded my way through the (other) tourists (Multnomah are the second tallest waterfalls in North America, and right on the gorge highway) to get to the trail that goes behind the falls. Not having done my research, I made my way back for a while, and then turned around to run back down. A couple of weeks ago, my roommate and I did the loop between Multnomah and Wahkeena Falls, back on that trail I was on before but leading to the latter falls. So gorgeous, seriously it's like Narnia back there, and coming in at about 6 miles. 

Since the trail running season in the fall, winter (aka ski season) hit, I moved from Colorado, traveled about every other week for 3 months, moved to Oregon, found jobs, and was sick twice in the last month. So needless to say, my trail running has been sporadic. I've been hiking a ton, spinning, swimming, and running around town, so I decided to test out how I felt on the trails again today. 

 I power walked the STEEP incline to the top of the falls, hiked/ran the rest of the rocky and slippery incline behind the falls, and then ran the flat and down the rest of the loop. It was rainy when I left Portland, but stayed not-too-hot and misty throughout the whole run. Sunshine snuck out between the clouds as I raced down at the very end; I like to think that was a reward. It's been an unusually warm and sunny winter/spring, so I was actually really glad to have the ethereal mist throughout the woods. So gorgeous! So PNW.

With this trail, I start and end with GORGEOUS waterfalls! Plus, more waterfalls "decorate" alongside the uphill and downhill portions.

It felt SO good to be back out there! Already jonesin' for the next one…