Bluff Creek Trail

This time of year, when things begin to freeze, I often think back to the start of my "running addiction." After I signed up for this particular race, The first Sooner State Winter Trail Run (a 12k trail run at the time) I began running on the trail quite a bit, although the race would have us running the course twice, and before then, I had never ran it more than once.



The area has changed a lot over the years, but still remains largely the same on the trail itself. They have added a large parking area, a bridge, a paved trail, and much more since then, but if you get out there on the trails you forget all that. The hills are still hills, the roots (stubbed my toes and/or tripped on those many times) still look like roots, the pine trees still smell like pine trees, the squirrels, birds...and snakes still scurry around you; and if you are lucky, you will still see a deer or two.

But after signing up for the race, it was getting cold, and I began to realize I would be running in the coldest part of the year. The beginning of February is usually snowy, icy, or just miserably cold in Oklahoma. This is why, on race day (which was almost cancelled due to the ice and snow on the trail) only the hard core and down right "nuts" showed up to run. It was then that I was first introduced to the world of totally insane athletes...which I was soon to become.

While some stayed in their cars with the heaters on before the race began, others stretched and jumped around to stay warm. Others even ran on part of the trail to stay loose. Whereas I remained outside in order to warn my body of the torture it was about to experience, I wasn't about to go running around. I was concerned about even being able to finish 12k on these hills and in these conditions, so why add anymore distance than I had to?

Long story short, I made it 12k that day. I didn't have an impressive time (finished somewhere in the middle), but to me this was a huge accomplishment. It got me looking ahead. I was ready to try a half marathon (more on this later).

The "Running Thing"

So after the "boxing thing" came the "firefighter thing," neither of which worked out too well. But soon I got comfortable with the whole "married thing" (one "thing" I am glad to say is still working out well some 13 years later). I gained several pounds, had a kid...loved the whole thing.

Knowing I had given my life to the ministry, however, I tried to stay focused on the "Bible college thing," but I made terrible grades and couldn't seem to juggle school, full-time job, church ministry, and married life...let alone the whole financial part of Bible college. I took some time out of school and started a cleaning business. When it was somewhat successful, I quit my full-time job and devoted more time to the business. I figured I'd be making my own hours and soon I would be able to finish my schooling...but the "business thing" paid it's toll.

Soon it seemed that all I did was work all day and night and seemed to be getting nowhere. Soon my life seemed so empty. I pushed myself to get through, day by day, waiting for some light at the end of the tunnel. We had another child, and somewhere around this time I got into a gym. I think I was trying to break the cycle, push myself to do more than just the "same ol', same ol'" I knew I felt so much better and had so much more energy when I was in better physical shape, and I knew if I paid for a membership at a gym I would make sure I used it!

My focus at the gym was more of a "body building" focus, but I spent some time jogging on the treadmill to get my lungs back into shape. Soon I was running 1 1/2 miles on the treadmill, doing my workout for an hour or so, and then cooling down on the treadmill for another 1 1/2 mile before showering and heading off to work.

I met a guy at the gym who had no body fat and TONS of energy. He would be running on the treadmill when I got there, and often would still be running on it after I ran my 1 1/2 mile, worked out for an hour, and cooled off for 1 1/2 mile. And it is not like he was jogging slowly like me...he was booking! I just couldn't believe anyone could run like that, but I was inspired and wanted to try.

I never figured I was built to be a runner, but I felt like I had to give it a shot. I remember calling my wife one afternoon, and then my mom and dad, and telling them, "I'm going to run in a marathon." Given my history of trying new things, no one was surprised...of course, before telling them that, I didn't even know how far a marathon was. I began reading running magazines and checked out some books. I was instantly hooked. I quit the gym after a while and started running instead...Outside!...Where running was meant to be done.

Before long I saw an ad for a local race that was coming up. And it wasn't just a "regular race." It was a 12k trail run in the middle of the winter. I had to sign up. I did. The 2006 Sooner State Trail Run was the start of it all.



I will write more about this adventure soon...stay tuned.