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One of my favorite parts of being a self proclaimed runner is that it is something I can do all over the world. As long as I have my running shoes in my bag I am good to go. When I came to Colorado Springs I decided I wanted to do something a bit more challenging than just a hike, so I logged onto my new favorite app: TrailRunProject brought to you by REI, and found a four mile loop that seemed too perfect for the day. I drove an hour from Denver towards Colorado Springs with nothing but blue skies and mountains in my line of sight. When I finally found my way to the trailhead I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the rocks that stood before me. I strapped on my running shoes, put on my water belt, and head out for a four mile run (that would eventually turn into a five miler) around the mountains. The trail started off super simple with an easy to follow dirt trail that had you weaving through some gorgeous plants and even more beautiful rock formations. What I assumed would remain a super easy and fun trail soon turned out to be more difficult than I originally thought. Having to navigate around rocks and roots sticking out from the trail while running up a steady incline proved to be slightly challenging, but well worth it! As I continued my run I couldn’t help but be so incredibly grateful for those sights. Being able to run in these parts of the country isn’t something you think too much about when you’re first starting out. I am so used to my easy rolling hill trails back in Ohio, that when you add mountains to the mix it feels slightly more badass.

As I continued to bob and weave along the trail the landscape seemed to change at every turn. It was seemingly quiet as the sun beat down along the trail. It is always a blessing to be able to experience a hike in a different way. For anyone who knows me well enough knows that running is my meditation. Being able to run for any amount of miles to clear my head is something that I will be forever grateful for, and if I can do that in the mountains?! Sign me right up! Here’s to so many more miles ahead in this life.