I have been running for exercise for about five years now. Running is a great way for me to stay fit for my sports, especially on the off-seasons, as well as relieve stress. However, despite the benefits of the sport, I have never really been fully committed to it- until Ecuador. Before my cross-continental journey began, I had never ran consecutively for more than thirty minutes. Running the exact same route for two years, passing the same cookie cutter houses in the same concrete jungle provided little motivation to increase my distance or pursue greater challenges.
When every run becomes an exciting new experience, inspiration erupts into a desire to push oneself; motivation to run harder and faster every time is found. My runs in Ecuador will be greatly missed. Scaling mountains, witnessing beautiful landscapes, observing local culture, brushing shoulders with horses and getting lost thousands of miles away from home has inspired me greatly in my pursuit of running. The sense of adventure and taste of adrenaline when trying to beat the sunset without any direction of where I am headed only pushes my desire to run further.
As I mentioned, I never ran more than thirty minutes before travelling to Ecuador. With the altitude against me, my first run in this country, only twenty mintues, was a struggle. Now I am running an hour and a half consecutively, with the challenge of decreased oxygen and steep mountains! I am still increasing my time with each run, now working toward a half marathon. My advice to you, if you want to pursue better health and fitness, is to find some inspiration. Although it will be tough for me to relocate my runs from majestic mountains back to concrete suburbia, the inspiration is still present. Whether its buying a new pair of running shoes, trying a challenging new trail, or joining a club with friends, the options to inspire are endless!
While on the topic of running, a humourous adventure…
Thirty minutes into one run, I was experiencing discomfort in my bowel region. I tried to ignore it, hoping it would pass. When it did not relent, I started to worry. I suppose this is where ¨moutain runs¨ takes on a dual meaning. I still had forty minutes left of my run, and knew I wasn´t going to make it that long. Three options stood before me, all requiring me to sacrifice at least a little pride.
1) Soil myself. Of course, wanting to avoid being seen in public with a brown snake crawling down my leg, this option was not even considered.
2) Pop a squat and take a nature poop. This idea seemed fine- I have been on enough camping trips to not be fazed by it. Despite my rural location, my only options here were to take on someone´s potentially rabid dogs as I invaded their front lawn, or hop a barbed wire fence, only to plummet two metres below into a stony creek, with no way of returning. Option two was eliminated.
3) Ask a friendly Ecuadorian for use of their toilet. The last, and perhaps most dignified option. With all the intimidating dogs and uncertainty surrounding strangers, I avoided knocking directly on someone´s door. Instead, I happened to pass by a modest little house, door ajar to reveal a young mother and her children in the barely furnished living room. Summoning all my courage, I promptly asked in Spanish to use her toilet, please. Likely baffled by the absurd request, I had to repeat my question, adding that I was quite far from home. She left her house, leading me around the back, towards a detached, outdoor bathroom. A barrier for privacy was created by hanging a black garbage bag. Peeling back the makeshift door, I was introduced to a very archaic toilet, lacking a flusher and water. There I sat upon the stone throne, emptying my thankful bowels, as she handed me toilet paper through the garbage bag, leaving a bucket of water outside to ¨flush¨ the contents down the toilet. Needless to say, I thanked her graciously and continued on my run.
What are your strangest running experiences?
Below I share many photos that I took along my running route (however I was walking this time!). Hopefully I have been able to capture the beauty that I have been so priveleged to witness with every run!
The very beginning of my route, showing the backside of one of the buildings on my property.
A few of our lovely chickens that are confused and believe they should wake us all up at 3 am.
Often the roads I run on are in bad condition, but I have grown used to it.
It is a miracle I havn´t broken an ankle!
A beautiful view of a field I pass by.
Some interesting foliage.
I make many furry and feathery friends on my runs.
These trees seem to be shedding!
This plant is very common in the mountains of Ecuador.
A friendly dog roaming the streets- a rarity since most dogs are trying to guard their homes!
Her little puppies :)
A museum I pass by, though it never appears to be open.
A tricky hill to run down, even trickier to run down.
These plants grow on wires without roots!
This guy promptly barked at me and tried to chase me off after the photo.
A beautiful view of the mountians and distant cities.
A farm overlooks Yaruquí, my town.
Her is Yaruquí, the church marks the centre of the town.
Another piece of my route.
It is so nice to run in rural areas without the build-up of the city.
More mountains!
There really is no shortage of mountains surrounding Yaruquí.
A view of some farms.
Heading towards a nice shaded area of my run.
Ecuadorians think it is crazy that we all have dryers in Canada. I would like to see them dry there clothes in negative twenty degree weather!
Corn field.
These dogs look all nice now... but I really fear for my life when I pass them.
About halfway through my route.
There are so many pretty plants and flowers that I pass.
This hill is pretty steep, but I manage to get down!
Purple!
A few more flowers...
And one more!
Yaruquí, again.
Wouldn´t you love to run with this view?
Reminds me of bleeding hearts.
Another farm, there are so many in rural Yaruquí.
Working hard!
There is definitely no shortage of cows, both in rural and urban areas.
Okay so the camera really doesn´t provide how steep this hill is... but it is killer.
Un Caballo.
This guy was hanging out outside the fence, in an urban area.
A flower farm beside my house.
Another cow hanging out outside the fence.
Mini Cascada (waterfall).
Working with the cows, once again outside the fence.
Mas Montañas.
The mountians just never end!
Really, they just keep going.
More friends.
How cute!
This guy was quite intimidated by me.
Rinsing off the dirty horse.
And another farm!
