Run? HA!

So "run" turns out NOT to be the operative word. I "ran" the M trail. And by "run", I mean I jogged infrequently, hiked mostly, staggered occasionally, and on more than one occasion stood doubled-over, hands on knees, just trying to breathe.

The M Trail, for those unfamiliar, is a trail which runs from the University of Montana campus (at the bottom of the hill) up to the giant stone "M" which university students installed there in 1908. The guide book says that "Many local athletes and fitness buffs run the M trail as a regular part of their regimen." All I have to say is OUCH. The trail runs for a mere 3/4 of a mile... straight up. Elevation gain is 620 feet, and there are 11 (steep!) switchbacks in all. In case you can't see them on the picture above, I have highlighted the switchbacks here:
I managed a mere 1.9 miles in 35 minutes. I made it to the M and then went another few tenths of a mile farther before my legs were complete jelly and my head was getting light. I had intentions of doing a five-mile loop which climbed to the M then wound around and back down the mountain, but I think I'll put that off until another time. Having turned around, I started back down. But if my legs were jelly on the way up, they were literally quivering on the way back down. Clearly I have much work to do if I am ever to consider myself a "local athlete and fitness buff!" Still, the views from up there were amazing.

Missoula from above:

The green, wooded valley in this picture is Lower Rattlesnake, where I'm living.

Time to do a little strength work, and then I have half-a-pound of wonderful bison brisket waiting for me to eat! If anyone wants a recipe for bison brisket, let me know. I got the recipe (and the brisket) from the local Missoula farmer's market, and it was wonderful.

Until next time,

M