I stared up at the shadowy silhouette of the mountain looming against the clouded sky. My anticipation grew. I'm going to run up that? And then another 12 miles, up two more mountains, after running up that? I must be insane. And can I really do this? I was going to find out. It was …
Where not to be in a thunderstorm.
I guess I had asked for it. I said a storm might be nice. Really, all I wanted was some rain to cool me off a little. It was one of the first warmer days of the spring, and my body was rebelling against the drastic change in temperature as I sweated my way up …
Canoe trippin’
I threw my drybags, PFD, and assorted other paddling and camping gear in my car just as a hint of light was beginning to illuminate the sky that Saturday morning. Soon, I was on Rt. 80, cruising east. I was bound for the Delaware River, where I was meeting up with a group of canoeists …
Wet, muddy, happy.
Trading a warm bed on a lazy Sunday morning for the promise of legs burning with exertion in wet 45-degree weather, I stand, slightly chilly, in the parking lot as the rain comes down and he gathers the last of the gear. Riding to the lake, in slightly-nervous anticipation, raindrops pattering on the windshield that …
A return to the love of mountain biking.
As a preteen to young teenager (about ages 11-14), I went through an intense mountain biking phase. I biked nearly every day, having fun pushing myself to get better and better. I got into racing for a while, which resulted in several medals that are still hanging somewhere in my old room at my parents …
To the woods.
It's about that time of the semester when there are more and more afternoons that I just can't stare at a computer screen any longer. I can't spend another minute in a room without windows, cooped up in a world of papers and projects and deadlines. Some days, the pull of the fresh air is …
Running with the boys.
On a Thursday evening in mid-March that was a lot colder than it should be for the time of year, I found myself stumbling up a trail that bore a slight resemblance to an ice skating rink after a group of serious runners. Runners who were talking about the 15-mile run they did a few …
Climbing on rocks and sliding on ice.
It was one of those typical March days---cold enough to let you know that winter isn't quite ready to let go, yet with a hint of spring in the air. One of those days when you have no idea what to wear because there is a good chance you could end up either freezing or …
The Runner’s High.
This afternoon, I ran 7 miles, a new personal best. I began running regularly about three and a half months ago, as a way to keep up the physical fitness that I had gained working in the field in Alaska all summer. Before this fall, I was never a runner. I have been in good …
helena kotala 