My mind has been on trails after our camping trip to Jasper a few weeks ago. I went out to the river valley last week to run. And I am constantly dreaming of signing up for an ultra trail race next summer.
Have you seen Runner’s Ramble’s/Aron’s or Wandirtlust’s/Jojo’s Instagram feeds? Drool worthy. It makes me want to pack our bags (and Harold), load up a vehicle and head to the coast right now.
I’ve mentioned my awe of Kilian Jornet, the Spanish trail running and ski mountaineering phenomenon with mesmerizing running style. Trail Running magazine has an excerpt from his book, Run or Die, due out in July. Completely inspiring.
“Winning isn’t about finishing in first place. It isn’t about beating the others. It is about overcoming yourself. Overcoming your body, your limitations, and your fears. Winning means surpassing yourself and turning your dreams into reality.”
– Kilian Jornet
Speaking of trail races, check out this listing for running vacations in Western Canada.
If you ever needed an excuse to check out our mountains, this might be it!
Do you trail run, hike, or mountain bike? Where is your favourite trail?
Change of Pace 
This makes me want to get back out west tomorrow!!! Hiking and I are also best friends.
You should make a trip this summer!
I would LOVE to go on a trail run. We went hiking last week during our mini vacation and we had so much fun! It was just a short hike, but that definitely has given me a “bug” to start going more. I’ve already been researching local hiking trails.
Your photos were so beautiful and green! I’m not surprised you got the bug!
Maybe I could convince Justin to do one of those trail races! He wants to do Whistler one day!
Emma @ amomrunsthistown.com
I just got an email from Whistler; I think it’ll definitely be different than most Ironman events (no big athlete dinner, shuttle to the race start).
wow your pictures are always so amazing- you should really consider submitting them to magazines. I just browsed the beginning of the nyt article on kilian jornet and he is a remarkable guy. talk about inspiring!!
Thanks, Charlotte! We always say we’ll take our nice camera and take ‘rave run’ photos but never do. Once day!
Seriously- I can’t read enough about Kilian. You should watch Unbreakable to get a better feel for his running!
I just got back from a trip to the mountains and am already wanting to go back! I love trails 🙂
Wow- your photos are incredible! I can see why you want to go back!
I love trails! We hike a lot in my family; my parents live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, so there are a bajillion trails nearby. I fully intend to hike like a madwoman when I’m home for a visit this summer. 🙂
So lucky to have a great place to visit and hike!
Trails look like so much fun, kind of like a mini adventure. Do it!
That’s exactly it! It’s a mini adventure every time you hit them!
I love trails. They are so much more peaceful. I like to trail run and hike. My favorite is Forest Park. It is so nice to have a trail system inside the city. I like going out to the Columbia Gorge to hike as well!
I bet it’s beautiful at the Columbia Gorge. We’ve driven through that area a few times and it looks like a great place to explore!
I’ve run on trails a few times, and did one trail race and it was SO hard!! I do love being submerged in nature though, it always makes me run better! I want to come get lost in the mountains around you so badly! Safely of course! 🙂
I haven’t done a trail race in years. I bet they’re hard!
I have been trying to find a trail race because I really enjoy trails. That is an awesome quote, thanks for sharing!
I LOVE the quote, especially considering it comes from such an accomplished athlete!
Thankfully there are SO many trails (technical all the way to paved) in Flagstaff that there is no shortage of places to run and ride. I love trails… though some that are on the hilly/rocky side are hard on my knees.
That’s awesome you have such a great variety! I hear you on the rocky ones being hard on the knees. But the soft ones make up for them!
Beautiful pics! My husband and I love to trail run and hike so Western Canada sounds like the ideal vacation destination! We used to mountain bike in college, but I really don’t miss it that much. I felt like I spent a lot of time pushing my bike uphill!
Ha ha- I’m running uphills with the mountain bike a lot, too! It’s a good workout!
I am itching to do a trail running race but so afraid I’ll tweak an ankle or something.
BEAUTIFUL pics!
Love, love that quote. Moving:)
I don’t imagine a bum ankle would be easy with a baby to take care of!
I love hiking and trail running and mt. biking! All of it! Ironically I despise camping though.
That is funny to despise camping when you love everything else outdoors!
I love hiking, but have never tried trail running! I think my inner tom-boy would love it, and would never want to leave the woods! Just found your blog, the pictures are gorgeous and are making me really want to go find some mountains asap!! 🙂
I’ve never tried trail running but I think it would be a blast! I love hiking and being in the woods. Jasper looks beautiful! I haven’t been to Canada but I hope to go some day. Until then, I will have to live vicariously through your pictures! 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
If you love hiking, I’m sure you’d love trail running! If you do make it to Canada, I’d highly recommend coming to the Rockies! They are breathtaking in any season!
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