I Like Dirt

Corte Madera Marsh

I’m beginning to doubt the wisdom of my signing up for two road races, both 13.1. Yesterday I started a run on a paved trail. I was barely a mile in when I started feeling sluggish and wanted to walk. Then I turned on to a dirt single track and I was immediately invigorated and felt as though I could run all day. Could it be that I actually feel the earth’s energy surge up from the dirt, through my shoes and up through my body? It is a phenomenon I have always noticed when hitting the trails and the difference from dirt to asphalt is distinct and immediate. Don’t even get me started on concrete sidewalks. I love the sound of my steps on dirt, or gravel, or mud. I love the springiness of pine needles or grass. I love the contortions my core goes through when jumping or side-stepping rocks or roots or coyote poop. But I guess I’ll have to buckle down and put in some miles on pavement to ready my body for the races. Then it’s back to the dirt for me.