One think I really like to do when I am in a new place is run. I just look on Strava to see if there are any local routes and kinda half ass it to them.
Now. I realize it isn't practical for everyone all the time. Example: I'm in Africa. No cell phone. No wifi. High crime rate. No idea what I am in for running in a certain direction.
Strangely, I've never run into a problem.
My wife thinks I'm crazy. Like, no way is it worth it.
Well, it is.
As a recovering addict and a person that feels like he's lived quite a bit, I refuse to avoid experiences based on, even well-founded fear. I take a healthy dose of alertness and take the chance. Why? Because 'he who is not busy living is busy dying.'
So today I woke up in Mossel Bay, S.A. and had no idea where to run. I saw a couple of Strava segments. One on a road and one on a waterfront. So what the fuck, why not try.
I started jogging easy down this road and was thrilled to come upon a Led Zeppelin-themed joint...which I took a picture of and assumed it would be the highlight of the run.
Then I got the waterfront, which was spectacular. This place really was cool.
But where was this 8 mile "trail" segment. Well, first I climbed stairs forever. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks. This trail was single track on the edge of the earth. It's about 500 feet down a rocky coast to the Indian Ocean. All I can hear is waves. And behold, the most beautiful trail in the world. (and I have seen some trails). I just couldn't believe my eyes. At every turn it got better.
Until I had to turn back because my wife would for sure fear I died. No worries though, I bought her back to it before we hit the road again.
Yea, I could have gotten attacked by wildlife Wednesday. I might have been kidnapped today. But you know what, you only live once. So I think I'll get up and do this again tomorrow.
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