Day 6: Where do you “get lost”?
We know you’re Wonder Woman, but everyone needs a break sometime! When the go, go turns into no, no! Is there a place you go to tune it all out? Do you lose yourself on a hike in your local regional park or do you run until street names are unrecognizable?
The Challenge: Wherever it may be, tell us about this oasis that keeps you sane. Who knows? You might just inspire someone else to find their own private getaway. Submit your story and/or a picture of your favorite spot and you could win a limited edition Power of 9 Tee and Title Nine water Bottle. Who says getting lost is a bad thing? Don’t wait, get entered>
*Prize awarded based on availability – a substitute prize of equal or greater value may be awarded.
When I really want to get away and be where I am singularly focused, I take to the bright blue skies. There is nothing like freefall to get that overwhelming sensation of freedom, and there is no time for the myriad of chaotic thoughts often running through my mind. During freefall, I am fully living in the moment. Upon deployment of my parachute, I have a few lovely minutes gliding where it’s just me and the air and total silence since there is no ambient noise at 3k ft. Bliss!
My ultimate oasis was on a recent vacation to Pensacola Beach, FL. The early morning runs along the beach were by far the best runs I have ever been on. As I run back home, I envision myself back on the trail along the beach with the waves hitting the shore, the birds talking, the peaceful calm of the early morning.
I love this little beach in Corona del Mar, CA. It’s especially fun to watch the seals surfing the waves and looking in the tide pools to see the starfish and other sea life.
Just outside my door is a path that leads to an oasis of peace and solitude. Tucked into the middle of my residential neighborhood is a wooded area with old growth trees, a creek and trails for miles that lead up to the mountains or down to the beautiful Vedder River. Whether I am looking to clear my mind or challenge my body (or both), this is the place for me.
I live in a small neighborhood alongside Alaska’s Copper River. Near my house there is an island in the river. When the river isn’t too high, you can walk across the slew to the island. At the far end of the island there is a gravel bar that feels thoroughly wild — the silty glacial river, an eagle’s nest on the other side. And yet I’m really only about 20 minutes from home.
We live near Goose Creek, in Northern Virginia, and I run in the woods down there whenever I can. On quiet mornings in the spring, I’ve had to jump over turtles making their way down to the water; in the winter, I’ve startled grazing deer into flight, which is immensely fun, and makes me understand why lions chase them. There are usually herons on that stretch of the water, too. I’ll risk the poison ivy, and the ticks, and the mosquitoes the size of Tinkerbell any day!
As a first grade teacher and mother of 4, I begin and end my day in solitude by swimming. I close my eyes, concentrate on my stroke and breathing and for some reason find rythmically counting helps to push out the worries, sights and sounds of the day. Refreshing on multiple levels.
I walk out of my home and in to the Hyland Park Reserve, it feels like I am hours away from the city because it is so peaceful and quiet!
To get away I go down to a trail along the Missouri River. Trees everywhere, the river off to the side and animals everywhere. It is a quiet trail and I feel like I’m alone with nature during my runs. It is absolutely my favorite place to be :).
Several years ago, my husband and then two year old daughter and I went on a trip to Greece, Athens for a work conference, then a few blissful days in Santorini. A few like the one here met us in our cliffside hotel. That trip was more meaningful, then, as it was immediately before my husband’s unexpected deployment. Since that time, the spot and a view like this have got me through the birth of my son, work and life challenges galore, and even a bad run or race where I just needed to go to my happy place. It inspires me in good times and bad.