Returning Home

We can return home in many senses.  Literally, we returned from the Outer Banks two weeks ago and have been so busy with knee-high grass, gardens to plant, and a remodel project only partially completed that I have not yet had time to post anything on this blog.  Recovery has also been slow, and my runs have been short and uneventful (although I did climb Bearpen my first day back).  My "periformis syndrome" (if that is what it is) is slowly improving as my hamstrings loosen up.  Saturday I went nine miles and everything was turning over pretty well, although my pace was glacial and there were some walking breaks.

Today is the first day of the New Moon, and I am off to an auspicious beginning to the week (or the month, if we are considering moons).  Not only did I recover well from the long run, but this morning I ran up two mountains - Big Bearpen and then Sunset Rocks - something I had not done since last year sometime.  And it felt good.  On the way down the long, winding, gravel road from Sunset - partly to out-run a horsefly that was tormenting me for a quarter-mile - I picked up the pace, literally leaping over potholes and puddles.  I truly felt as if I had turned many corners, and was returning home to good running again.  Recovery is such a wonderful experience for the somewhat disheartened runner.  As in all goals running-related (and most other goals, too, it occurs to me) it is just a matter of patient hard work, and trust in one's inner strength.

And today I also planted this Japanese maple tree (Red Dragon, acer palmatum dissectum), a Mothers Day gift for Martha.  May it grow and flourish, and someday shade out little Folly Patio.