Yes, I'll take trails, even if they come with hills

Anna and I often justify the outsized price we pay to rent our moderately-sized, cave-like apartment by reminding ourselves that we live across the street from one of DC's best-kept secrets: Rock Creek Park(map). Though Rock Creek's urban location and reputation for occasional trouble means that we avoid it once the sun starts to set and I don't go far in on afternoon walks with the dog, on weekends and during after-work daylight hours it's a perfect place for hiking, biking, and running. And, we've been taking more advantage of it as spring's arrival has meant longer days. We'll also be frequent visitors come full summer when the shady forest and proximity to water will make the Park one of the few places in town where we can move our bodies without collapsing.

This morning we did a new and beautiful run. I have no idea how far we went, certainly not more than 4 miles, but it was a wonderful workout none-the-less, thanks to the many uphill climbs. We took our little local spur trail down to the valley floor and then went looking for the Valley Trail, a path we'd been on once before, but hadn't tried for running. We caught it and immediately started up, passing through a meadow before immersing ourselves in the forest. After a brief respite of level ground, we plunged down again, crossing a wooden bridge over a stream, then a road, and then, sigh, heading back uphill.

Coming down the far side of that hill, we turned sharply to follow Rock Creek itself, a beautiful trail full of the sound of rushing water. We joined the road (closed to cars for the weekend) briefly to cross a huge boulder bridge and then headed uphill again. Crossing the bridge also gave us a glimpse of a full-sized tree leaning over the creek, covered with the clustered purple blossoms and spreading vine of some member of the grape family. I wish I could carry a camera while running, but alas.

From there, we returned to our spur trail on familiar paths, finishing with a sprint and then walking up, crossing Melvin Hazen creek a few times along the way.

I'll run on sidewalks if I have to and have no other options for exercise. I'm willing to work much harder, though, in exchange for trails like the trails of Rock Creek Park.