Kiss the trail! My first trail run. ~Bianca Boudreau

For the longest time, I have been intrigued by the outdoors. But for some reason, hitting the trails or any kind of outdoor activity very rarely happened. Maybe because of a fear of the unknown, not having friend interested in outdoor adventures, and not wanting to be by myself, alone, outside, in the woods. I grew up in a city. What can be more foreign than a quiet forest for a city girl?

I started running in my late twenties, mainly because it was convenient and a quick way to exercise, and (eventually) really enjoyed it. I ran by myself or with friend, sticking to roads, bike paths and sidewalks.

And then... I met Krista, outdoor enthusiast and owner of a dog pack.

One day, she invited me to join her and her pack of dogs for a trail run. Within the first 30 seconds of the run, not even 100 feet past the trailhead, I fell. Tripped on a small tree root and landed horizontal on the muddy trail. Kissed the trail, literally. I got up, with my ego more bruised than my body, brushed off the mud and dirt off of my clothes and then, we laughed and kept running.

Sleepy Hollow State Park has sealed the fate of many a trail runner by quickly landing him or her in the dirt!

I don't remember how any miles we ran that day. But after the run, I was hooked. The fresh air, nature, quietness, peacefulness. It made me question why I had ever been scared of the great outdoors. That day was also the start of a great friendship... and oh so many more adventures on the trail.

From then on, I've needed my weekly dose of outdoor time. Whether it's a hike, a trail run, or paddle session on a lake. It's my quiet time, my reset from the hectiness that is life. No headphones, no texting, no cars, just the peacefulness that is the outdoors.