As I sit here, leg elevated and knee wrapped in ice, I’m inclined to look back at my life choices to reflect on how I got here and also to think ahead to the future and what comes next.

I’m grateful that I live in a gorgeous part of the planet. I’m surrounded by natural beauty and have access to thousands of miles of trails. Trail running is extremely popular here.

I just can’t keep doing it. I’ve been nursing a sore and swollen knee for weeks. Even without an injury the struggle to keep up is real.

I’m tired of fighting a losing battle. I just get slower. I fatigue faster. It takes longer to recover. I love being a runner, but I can’t say that I actually love running. And really, I just want to be outside.

Know what else you can do on a trail? Walk. That’s right! Believe it or not you can still put one foot in front of the other, see the pretty things, get your blood pumping, and not injure yourself! I know, I didn’t believe it either.