Running commentary

I am viewing this winter's mildness as a sort of an apology from Mother Nature for last year's historic and long-lasting snowfall. And though we all want the snowpack up in the mountains to build up soon for the sake of water supplies, I am hoping this spring-like winter is not going to turn into a winter-like spring.

The lunar eclipse last week pulled me out of bed early in the hopes of a peek of the blue moon being overtaken by earth's shadow. When I headed out the back gate with my two dogs the sky was very dark and I wasn't sure whether it was from thick clouds or if the eclipse was in full swing. It was not until heading back home at the end of the short run that I caught a sliver of moonlight through the ponderosa branches. Instead of heading home, I jogged to the eastern edge the pasture at Reed Ranch so I could get an unobstructed view.

Clouds threatened to hide the moon completely, but clear skies prevailed and I got to stand for a few minutes in the quiet of the morning relishing the relatively rare event.

In a sense, this is a story of motivation. I had not gotten up to run in the morning for more than a year as of last Wednesday, but the wonder of nature tipped the scales for me. As soon as I was out the gate and trotting down the path with my new headlamp lighting the way (and spookily reflecting back to me in the eyes of my canine friends), I felt the sense of adventure and the joy that being out in the woods before dawn brings.

It felt like getting reacquainted with an old friend.

Not every day includes an eclipse, but morning runs are always good for the soul.

With trails, roads and tracks free of ice and snow, runners may be more ready than ever for races coming up this spring, including a couple of local favorites, the Peterson Ridge Rumble on April 8 and the Sisters 'Better Half' on April 28.

The Rumble, which supports the cross-country and track programs for Sisters schools, features a 20-mile race and a 40-mile ultra, while the Better Half includes a half-marathon, a quarter marathon, and a two-person relay that covers the half-marathon distance. The Better Half is a fundraiser for the Outlaws' swim team.

Footzone, Bend's one and only running store, keeps an updated list and links for local and regional races, including the Rumble and the Better Half, on its website www.footzonebend.com/events.

Whether the snow and ice return or not, my motivation has been sparked and I sense some more morning runs in the days ahead.