Running in nature – the ultimate ELIXIR!

For me, the benefits of running by far outweigh the pain. And when I run on the incredible variety of Oregon’s trails, it becomes adventurous, therapeutic, inspiring, and healing all at once! My wife loves to run too, so we get to spend time adventuring together on mountain trails. We thrive on covering miles and seeing all this beautiful state has to offer.

Why do I like to run?

Running helps me push my boundaries and grow mentally and physically stronger. Many people I admire have said that you can not grow if you strive to stay comfortable. I absolutely believe this and have lived it. Every time I choose comfort, I don’t have growth in any area of my life and even see some reversal in any gains that have been made. I run to seek discomfort and I have learned that when I push further into ‘the pain cave” I come out a stronger person on the other side. The lessons learned from running carry over into other aspects of my life as well.

Then there are the health benefits!

I used to weigh 50 lbs more than I do now. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol and was on medication for both by the time I was in my mid 30’s. I was a dad with two young children, on a path towards chronic disease, and I wanted to make sure that I would be around to see them graduate and to hopefully even see their kids graduate. I began by walking some, then walking/running, and then started a workout program – P90X. This helped, and I lost weight, but I still needed medication. It wasn’t until adopting a whole food/plant-based diet that I really lost the necessary pounds and was able to get off the medications. My energy reached new levels which allowed me to start working out more and to start to push myself toward new levels of fitness. Two years ago my wife and I discovered that we loved to run trails. Trail Running combines our love for the outdoors and our passion for exercise. Running brought us to trails in Oregon that we had never really explored before. A passion was born! And now, I want to share the experiences from our Oregon trail runs (and hikes) and to hopefully inspire others to get out on the trails.