05/05/2026
THE REAL CLIMB
The long trail beckons
Today’s training route. Part of it at least. The trail swaddles you in Mother Nature’s finest: thick woods, lakes and rivers and babbling falls, huge granite outcrops, steep cliffs.
I am alone on this journey. But I make friends easily with those trees and water, thanking them all for their stunning beauty.
It is a miracle, this vast expanse of nature, full of life. The mind’s worried thoughts about grinding out another long training run over many miles is soothed as long as I direct it to be in awe of nature’s grace and majesty.
It pours rain, and winds blow strongly. The mind’s worried thoughts imagines a warm coffee and nourishment in a dry setting. That reality is many miles and hours away.
But nature invites further exploration, as the long trail unveils such beauty with each step.
Such a contrast from yesterday when under a warm sun and with a friend and coach I zoomed along Halifax’s city streets and parklands.
Today is slower, too slow I fear. and the mind requires more management to curb its unhelpful attacks and diminishing tendencies.
It makes a difference when walking in life with another. Today I run alongside Mother Nature.
The spirit of my late dog and precious friend, Thoby, also runs with me, urging me on to play, smiling all the way.
I am grateful.
Peter Bromley
Applied wisdom for works in progress