The Covered Bridge

It's funny that I can point to the exact moment my running career began. Over spring break my freshman year at OSU I realized that organized sports were no longer going to keep me in shape, an epiphany based largely on my (frosh 15?) weight gain. I noticed an old pair of Saucony running shoes in my closet from my one year doing cross country in 8th grade. They were at least a half size too small, but the first day back in Corvallis after the break I decided to start running.

I woke up early that first day back so I would have plenty of time to spare before my 9 am class. Laced up the too-small Saucony's and headed out the door of Finley Hall. I didn't even know where I was going, but figured worst case I'd have to do an out-and-back. As I went, I realized the exercise was a side benefit of being outside and getting to go to parts of Corvallis previously unknown to me. I eventually ended up finding Campus Way and ran back through the covered bridge. From that moment on I was hooked. Probably did that route or similar, coming back through the covered bridge well over a 100 times while in Corvallis.

That first week after spring break I ran/walked every day. Probably logged 30+ miles. Ran 2 more days the next week and by this time was running the whole time. Amazing how fast I improved at the age of 18. Predictably got a running injury (that now eludes me as to what exactly it was - from the shoes?) that sidelined me for a few days, but the die had been cast: I was a runner.