So, this weekend I found myself in “Amish Country” - Holmes County, Ohio, for a meeting. From the meeting place to the house where I was staying is about seven miles, so I figured I would go ahead and run “home” on Friday. The only problem is… hills… they are huge, and steep! Over the last six years I’ve become a bona-fide flatlander. There are a few very small hills around … [Read more...]
How I Became the “Darke Runner”
DarkeRunner.com is about my discovery of running and the role it is playing in my journey back to physical and mental health after a brain injury in early 2012. I have gone from being an injured and completely sedentary “desk potato” to having a goal of running every road in Darke County, Ohio - all 2500 miles or so, over the next couple years. You can see my progress as I … [Read more...]
A New Love?
I don't know if I ever really loved running, but I have some really good memories and accomplished some lofty goals (and didn't quite hit the big one). Recently I've discovered Onewheeling... Oh. So. Fun. Clears the mind when it's troubled, and the isometric work on the legs is kind of good too!I haven't been on a snowboard in over 25 years, and no longer live near any … [Read more...]
Seven Years Later… Fat, Out of Shape, and Wishing I Would Make Myself Run Again
I never finished. 7 years ago, I was working toward running every mile of every road in Darke County. I estimate I got to roughly 85-90%. Not bad! Somewhere in there I decided to run a Marathon. I did it. I may even write a post about it someday, it's something I will always remember. One downside though, training to run a marathon takes a toll on a "non-runner" runner. For a … [Read more...]
Just a Pretty Sunset
I freely admit that running in a place as flat and cornfield-laden as Darke County doesn't offer a lot of variety in scenery. It does however, offer an occasional nice sunset or sunrise. Here's one for you, a sunset: … [Read more...]
Grand Canyon – Rim to River to Rim in a Day
First things first, this was among the top favorite hikes I've ever done. If you ever have a chance to do it, get yourself in shape if you aren't already, and DO it! It's a stretch, yet within the limitations of most reasonably fit people. There are enough logistical challenges and safety concerns to keep it interesting, and the views are as exceptional as almost anywhere, just … [Read more...]
My Worst Run Ever. I Do Mean Ever!
I was recently told this blog is "woefully un-updated". I feel pretty bad about that (you can still check out my progress on the "Where is DarkeRunner Today?" page) so here's my most recent, and most awful run ever. Note to self... Don't try to run 11 miles the day after straining your calf, because you decided to do a full speed sprint without any warm-up whatsoever, with a … [Read more...]
Petey’s Pizza to Hursh Road
Tonight was a slow recovery run of 4.65 miles since my legs have been tired the last couple of days. I parked at Petey's Pizza (Thanks for allowing me to park there for a bit!) and ran south to Hursh Road, east to 503 and then back north and over to Petey's. It was a pretty uneventful night overall... no crazy drivers, no animals surprising me... peaceful and calm. I DID get a … [Read more...]
The Great Horned Owl of Lightsville
Tonight was a fairly routine run until the last quarter mile and then I had a n unexpected visitor. You can read about him here. I'm glad I still have a face. :) … [Read more...]
Close Encounters of the Animal Kind!
I do much of my running after dark, thus, I come across a fair number of nocturnal critters. I'm startled on a regular basis by their sudden (often violently so) way of announcing their presence. Tonight was the most interesting one I've had yet though... The most common ones that scare me silly, besides dogs, are deer. I always thought they just jump out in front of cars. … [Read more...]
Englewood Metropark – Montgomery County
I've mentioned before that Darke County is really lacking when it comes to recreational opportunities, and I KNOW that Englewood isn't in Darke County, but I think Englewood Metropark along the Stillwater River deserves a special mention because it's close enough to be fairly easily accessible by car. (Shhh, just don't tell the taxpayers over in Montgomery County that we're … [Read more...]
Eidson Woods Preserve Trail – Darke County Parks
If there's one thing Darke County is seriously lacking in, it's trails! It's been fun discovering places I didn't know about, but sadly there still aren't that many outdoor recreation opportunities here. To me, Eidson Woods Preserve is one of the most pleasant little gems in the Darke County Parks system. It has a nice, secluded feeling to it and I rarely encounter other people … [Read more...]
