It’s the freedom, more than anything, that does it for me. Not just the sense of freedom that comes from the act of running itself — the wind rushing by, legs powering, lungs pumping — but a sense of freedom that comes from being immersed in nature itself. You’re freed from the straight road, the mundane asphalt (the most technical terrain on the road being the occasional, although sometimes terrifying, pothole), and the watch. The importance of numbers lessens — the marching on of minutes and seconds. It’s just a runner and a trail.
People often say it’s hard to write about what you care about. That is, to make others care about a topic you love. It’s something I’ve thought about as I sit down to write or head out on a trail run. How do you capture the familiar sensations for those who also run trails? How do you make those who don’t run care as deeply as you do? How do you capture their interest?
I believe the cornerstone in trail running, the point of access for those who take part in the sport, and those who don’t — and the reason I love it so — is place. I think it’s human nature to look for a sense of place. Some people find it in the comfort of their home, lounging on their bed. Some people find it through exploration, flying from one destination to the next — exploring beaches and mountains and hostels. Some find it in simply being aware. But I find I am most in touch with a sense of place when I am trail running…perhaps for all three of these reasons.
Nestled off the side of Route 123, about ten minutes from where I live is Casalis Forest. The small dirt parking area is unassuming — easy to miss. Even the grown-in “road” leading down toward the trails doesn’t seem like much special at first, like something you could find winding through the woods in any neighboring small town. But then the road narrows, the woods begin to creep in, and the paths run off in every direction. Some follow the banks of streams, some meander through ferns so thick it’s almost impossible to see the trail, and some criss-cross marshes with narrow board bridges. It becomes evident that this place is more than just an old road. Much more.