SingleTrack

**originally written 2+ years ago**
Life has recently resembled a circus act, for which I have unknowingly applied. Ever feel like someone played a mean joke on your juggling act and handed you medicine balls instead of those fun, colorfully lighted circus balls? #theyarefired.
Here’s a small glimpse:

• At the end of February I spent several days (and a few long nights) in a hospital room, snuggled up with my very sick little girl who had Influenza B.
• I’ve held my 14 year old, 100 lb Weimaraner (Brody) and buried my face in his as we took our very last breaths together. I thanked him for all the miles we ran together but more importantly, I thanked him for the protection he diligently provided; he was the “Brody guard”. The miles that day were not my favorite.
• I’ve stared at a computer screen in complete shock, lost for words or a place to start; it was just the beginning of heart breaking information.
• The increasing pressure of the last stretch of graduate school.
• First time Mother to a teenager (that speaks for itself, right?).

After almost 2 months of this kind of craziness I now feel like things could be settling down a bit (don’t tell Murphy!).

Given how things have been lately~ you know, the circus career and all, I’ve been craving trails. Particularly singletrack trails. There is something about running a narrow path that does this woman good.

If you’re directionally challenged, it’s a smart idea. If you’re new to the particular trail, it’s an error proof out ‘n back. If metaphors speak to you, it never disappoints. 

I run this particular trail fairly regularly and feel incredibly blessed to call this home. I’ve never witnessed it myself but it appears that the cows walk this path every day as they head back to the barn. If it isn’t the cows I can vouch that something is in fact using the trail; think.large.piles.of.evidence (I’m not claiming those monsters and you're welcome for sparing you the visual!). They make for good hurdle practice and I’m in need of anything that would help jumping through hoops appear more graceful. I digress.

Anyway…I love running singletracks.
I love the feel; desolate. I love the room; for one.
I love the whispers; come this way.

The beauty for me recently in the singletrack is it’s steadiness. Counteracting the position of ringleader requires a balance of a simple place. A place to unplug from the over-stimulation. No decisions. No surprises. No detours or flexibility required. Steady.

The singletrack is an antidote in unpredictability. It’s stable. It’s obvious. It helps me self-regulate in the midst of uncertainties.

**Jan 6, 2016**
As I read these words that I found hiding in my drafts file, particularly the last line, I am struck by the truth of them still today. In the past 2 years I’ve trained on Monte Sano mountain on a daily basis; it’s truly where I love to run! The technical trails, the rugged, rocky mountains…it’s where I belong as a runner. However, I’ve needed to come back to this trail for much of the same reason as before…it’s steadiness. 
This time the more literal sense.

Stead-y: ADJ.- Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; 
not shaking or moving.
Firm in position or sure in movement. 
Calm or reliable; constant.

For these reasons listed in my old fashioned, paperback version of the Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, I am back to let this land do what it has always done; balance the unsteady life.