This past weekend we ran the Buffalo Runners 10K at Chestnut Ridge Park. It was a cool 40°, light rainy day run on the hills of Chestnut Ridge Park. The leaves were peakish, the beauty of nature made the hills easier (at least that’s what I kept telling myself).

It’s a BYO run, so everyone brings something to contribute to a fun after party. To the person who brought the enticing and delicious lentil soup – you made my morning!

Those hills, for me – living the flat part of town life – were challenging. My plan originally was to do my own thing while Porter rocked the 10K. I’ve taken a little time off/shorter distances so thinking a good 5K on the hills would be a better fit for my morning.

But here’s the thing… I love BuffaloRunners.com, use it and recommend it. And I guess my running has reached a point where I realize I need different things from a run at different times. Sometimes signing up for a run is all about the reach – running hard and reaching further; sometimes it’s about the motivation – having that next goal to focus the training; sometimes it’s about the cause and showing up with what I have where I am; sometimes it’s about the community.

Yesterday Porter grabbed some metal while I did my thing. Signed up to contribute to the cause but ran the 5K my day was calling for.

It was perfect. A challenging run, along a beautiful fall course, the way I needed it.

How was your running this weekend?