Grind It

Today I finally get to do a “little” something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, The Grouse Grind. It’s one of those outdoorsy things that I would daydream about while out on my long runs along with kayaking, yoga, cycling, rock climbing, skiing… all things I don’t have time for, things that I get slightly jealous about when I hear people casually mentioning what they did for the weekend (OK for the most part people sans children)- things that I feel guilty for not doing when I live in one of the most beautiful and perfect places in the world for most of those activities, and things that I just wasn’t into when I was young and had no children. I always enjoyed the outdoors but sort of limited myself to a bit of camping and many trips to the beach while most of my youth was spent in dark musty theatres or dingy rehearsal spaces- good times for sure, but I wish I would have taken advantage of my freedom to get out there and ski or hike or something.

One of the many positive side effects of marathon training for me was discovering the joy of getting outside and pushing my body in ways I never thought possible- and while I like to be careful not to place my expectations about new experiences too high I’m pretty darn stoked about the hike tonight. Even if the actual hike turns out to be not as much fun as I had hoped the drinks at the top with the ladies and the opportunity to get out of the house without the kids will surely do this body (and mind) some good.