Waypoint Narrative #7
Waypoint Narratives: Five questions, one objective - share stories of people who have experienced the impact of the outdoors.
Luke, or as seen on Strava as “Luke 🍖🏀,” is joining us to share his experiences on the trail! I met Luke one of the first times I attended a group run at our local running store. He and his wife, Kara, were two of my first friends in that community and played a huge role in making me feel welcome and an overall sense of belonging (despite my internal struggle of feeling really out of place). They also were a major part of why I signed up for my first trail ultra-marathon. Luke recently completed a tough 100-mile trail race through the mountains of West Virginia, so don’t let his authentic humility fool you! Here are Luke’s responses:
Do you have a trail name, and how did you acquire it?
I don't have an individual trail name, but our trail running group does. We are called the Meatball Gang. One of our wackier friends came up with the name out of the blue. It started when he was running a home made Ultra Marathon, and he was fueling himself on his Mother's meatballs. At the end of the run, he said that it was a "meatball run", and those who participated were in the Meatball Gang.
What is the most prominent thing the trail/the outdoors has taught you about yourself?
The outdoors is a special place. We are at the mercy of mother nature and we are just one small part in this big whole world. The other thing it's taught me is you can find peace in the strangest of places. I find it most at one particular place on our local trail, where the hillsides are steep, and the trees seem tallest. Every time I run through the area, I feel a sense of solidarity with my surroundings.
What are the key waypoints of your life that ultimately lead you to the trail in the first place?
Before the trail, I found the woods. Growing up in a hunting family I was exposed to the outdoors in a unique and wonderful way. Beyond the hunting my favorite part was listening to the woods wake up in the predawn hours. Watching the forest floor change from black to grey to full of life and color in what seemed like minutes.
My running career and friends have since then led me to the trail. It can take you to some very special and meaningful places, but the time spent with my friends is what I really value.
Share about one of the most memorable problem-solving moments you’ve had on the trail.
I don't have any direct moments for on the trail problems. However, running on the trails provides you the time to think, wonder, game plan for future activities. I often come home after a long solo trail run with a plethora of ideas/fixes to simple everyday problems, or solutions for a work item I've been having trouble with.
Who and/or what inspires you to keep moving forward?
Have you ever been kayaking or canoeing, and wonder what's around the next bend? That is what keeps me moving forward. The unknown. Unless we try it as individuals, we'll never know what's around the next bend.
