In my quest to prepare for community runs and to justify the expense of my lovely new running shoes, I set out to run up to Herkimer County Community College (HCCC) the back way.
HCCC, for those of you who don’t know, sits on the top of a hill. The main road up to it is quite steep and forms part of the annual Dare 5K Run. I will tackle that soon but yesterday thought I could manage the back way, which is longer but not as steep. I’ll be honest: I was not sure I was up for that but talked myself into it by saying I could always get part way and turn around.
The back way leads through a suburb-looking neighborhood that gives way to a rural road with woods on either side. Lots of shade, which is often a good thing but this particular morning was cloudy and humid so it did not help much.
I met a couple running down as I was going up. “Did you come up the steep way?” I asked.
“Yes!”
“Good job!”
“Big mistake!” his voice floated back to me as we continued in opposite directions.
The road began to seem pretty steep to me. I observed a stream running down hill and reflected that I was going against nature by running upstream. I told myself it was man’s destiny to overcome nature for his own benefit. Then I remembered I was a woman. Then I thought I was getting silly and could use that in a blog post. The secret of running, I have learned, is to distract yourself with whatever thoughts you can so that you keep running.
I made it up to the college, enjoyed the view for the short time I was there, and ran down by way of the spring so I could pause and get a quick drink. It wasn’t a long enough run that I really needed the drink, but that was my reward.
Herkimer is a good village to take a run in, and HCCC is handily located as a destination. I highly recommend it.
Mohawk Valley Girl 