Why I love Tecumseh

      Running Tecumseh Trail Marathon has become a much-looked forward to yearly event for me (except last year when I did it in January AND October). There are SO many reasons that I have taken to Tecumseh in some very spiritual ways and why I do it every year without fail. 
       In 2012 I was still a very fresh endurance runner. I had only just started running the year before and had been training for it with some of my best new friends. The long runs leading up to it, the prep work was some of the most fun times I had ever had. I got to make new friends in the process of training for my second marathon. 
   

      I remember a particularly great training run with my friend Melanie. It was fun. It was relaxed and friendly. We took lots of photos. Cute photos. The trails were lovely and the day was perfect. 
     The first time I ran it there were so many friends there I felt surrounded by love and affection. It was like a party. Friends, food and beautiful trails. What more could you ask for? The weather that day was absolutely gorgeous!! I kept running into friends along the way at exactly the moment I needed them. Chris Banal was waiting at the top of killer Indian hill taking photos with a big smile. At one point Maria and Rachel were there with oranges. Magic! Later on I ran into a small tribe of hashers (Rebecca and friends) who gave me a bit of beer and a big send off to the final miles. 
   And finishing was a triumph!! I felt like a superhero! I felt I could run forever on that beautiful day! (well no my legs felt like jello but my spirit was definitely up for more trail running. Go spirit go! I'll meet up with you later)
    Then after there was a fire, beer, food, more photos, just having fun being together. I never forgot any of it. 

That is why Tecumseh is my favorite race. It reminds me I am never alone...that there is love always around me...that my spirit is always sharing that love and I can keep my friends close even when they are not actually here. The trails keep me happy. My friends keep me sane. 

LET'S GO GET THOSE HILLS!!!!!!