Looking Back on the Trinity (OTMT Revision)

For my final "revision" post, I chose to look back on one of my first blog posts of the semester, "Oh Trinity, My Trails". I think reviewing this post in particular allows me to reflect on the growth that has occured this semester. 

Quite by accident earlier this week, I found myself retracing the steps I took earlier this semester, down one of my favorite paths along the Trinity. After spending most of the week inside studying, working, and going to zoom class, I knew I needed some time outside. With the entrance of Daisy Ruth into the house, I haven't been spending as much time with Jack lately either, so I decided to take him on my jog. 

During the four and a half years I've lived in Fort Worth, the Trinity Trails have become a haven for me. I've spent countless mornings walking, jogging, and biking the trails: alone, with friends, family, or most recently, with my roommate's 3-month-old rescue puppy, Jack. (Peep the end of the post for pics!) Over 3 months later and I can still vouch for the Trails as my go-to spot! Jack still accompanies me but he is definitely not the tiny puppy he was three months ago. 

Forgot to take a pic at the Trinity but here's a shot from one of our neighborhood walks and a size comparison to Daisy Ruth (who is actually over 2 lbs now!)

My favorite route begins from my house and intersects the trails near the zoo before cutting under the bridge past Woodshed, down to Clearfork. My Saturday morning ritual has become waking early to watch the sun rise as I jog to the Clearfork Farmers' market via the Trails to pick up fresh produce for the week. This particular trail is still one of my favorites, though I've had to lay aside my Saturday morning routine for the semester since I've worked at 8:30-9am almost every Saturday for the past three months. I'm looking forward to restarting this ritual after graduation when I can hopefully readjust my work schedule.

Recently, I've been introducing Jack to the Trinity. His favorite way to walk is directly between my feet while he tangles us both in his leash, and he likes to stop every five seconds to sniff or bark, but I've been slowly convincing him to pick up the pace for longer stretches, and we managed a run together along about 2 miles of the Trails yesterday afternoon! I remember my excitement when my roommate wanted to get a dog because I thought "Now I can run in the dark early mornings because I'll have a big dog to keep me safe!" When we actually got Jack that dream was dashed; he's such a friendly playful puppy and he used to be so tiny. Well, fast-forward three months and I'm getting my guard dog after all! He's still quite a friendly pup, but he's definitely not tiny anymore and I'm amused that I used to complain his little puppy stamina couldn't last for a run. The last two times I took Jack out this week he quite literally dragged me! This boy has grown and he is FAST. Just yesterday we went for a short run around the 2 mile Greek loop and Jackie decided he wanted to sprint. UP the hill. the BIG hill before the 4-way stop that falls at the end of the loop. I was GASPING by the end of it. We definitely need to work on his pacing because Jack still likes to sprint then stop and occasionally run between my feet, but he's definitely improved since August.

In the spirit of searching for a "nature spot" for this class, I adopted a new approach to Jack's stop-and-sniff breaks. I stood with him and observed the swaying grass, felt the gentle breeze, and noticed the hidden wildflowers. I looked at a place I've seen a hundred times before with fresh eyes and fresh appreciation for the joy and calm that nature brings me, even just a smidgeon of river and growth beside a paved trail. So, does it still count as my nature spot if it spans half the city? I think "stop and sniff" breaks ended up being the theme of this class for me this semester. Whether I was setting aside physiology to delve into Thoreau or breaking from biochem to explore the outdoors, Treks has been a wonderful influence and motivator to get myself outside and appreciate the world around me. This is something I definitely want to take from the semester as I enter the crazy-confusing world that is pandemic post-grad life. 

  

A few "stop and sniff" moments from the past two weeks

P.S. If you read this far, here's a bonus pic of sleepy Jack after our run. Is he not the cutest?? Jack doesn't need to nap after our runs anymore - he just wants to keep playing! I can include bonus pics of my sleepy kitten, the newest little addition to our household. I wonder how much she'll have grown 3 months from now. I havent been able to convince her to like walks; I think that one's a lost cause, but who knows? Check back in February. 

Sleepy kitten