Trail Sisters Half Marathon & 10k

September 14th • Buena Vista, CO

Strength and Love From the Trail

Tara Warren is a mountain runner living in Ogden, Utah with her ultra runner hubby and three crazy boys. She finds freedom running along the dirt ribbons in her area. Running has been a hobby of hers since the early 90’s. In the last two years she has begun to dabble into the trail and ultra running scene. For Tara, it’s not all about being the fastest, but learning more about herself during the journey and having fun in the wilderness.

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heart-shaped-rock

Many of you know that my beautiful mom passed away from ALS, or Lou Gerihg’s disease, a little over three weeks ago. She was originally diagnosed the previous year. She happily passed the time this last year surrounded by her grandkids and loved ones as this terminal disease shut her body down bit by bit.

Something that she and I shared regularly throughout this past year were my running adventures seen through pictures and tall tales. When she could still talk freely, she would analyze each shot and ask me specifics on the terrain or mountain-scape that the lens would highlight. She would ask me about the logistics of longer runs or about the character of my running comrades. These were precious times and special memories made in the mountains where I could take her there mentally because physically was just not an option anymore.

As her voice faded, not her mind, she would still nod and make the effort to let me know that we were behind on our trail tales and race recaps. I gladly shared all I could without alarming her as she was still my mother. She would show me the same type of interest as her eyes would sparkle with approval or roll with sarcasm.

She had always been my champion. As an athlete since I was young, she would be the mom in the stands at swim meets cheering for me in-between my breaststroke breaths. She would hug me tight when I would ride the pine during high school basketball games and assure me that things would be better. This was the lady who would drive a few hours from Colorado to meet me at a race so she could watch my kiddos while I ran. Always supportive, always my champion.
Although her death was certain, nothing quite prepares you for the void of loss. It’s been an emotion struggle; most of which I deal with privately. And when I can’t seem to get my crap together, I run. There has been no greater healer, for me, than to take my emotions to the trails for mountain therapy.

There’s so much strength that comes with reaching a summit, or propelling down a decent. Strength that seems to fill that void.

As I’ve been meandering around the peaks in my area, I’ve started to notice as I’ve never noticed before, heart-shaped rocks. Now, I’m not sure why I’ve never really seen these before. But, in the last several weeks four or five of these rocks seem to pop out on the trail out of nowhere during each run. I pick up as many as I can without overloading my hydration pack and take them to her grave.

I’ve learned so very much about life and love in this past year. It’s apparent to me that love  (or the shape of love) can be found really in the most obscure places: sides of cliffs, middle of a pile of scree or at the bottom of a pond. Love is wherever you look for it, but you have to remember to search for it. My champion mom is still just as a part of my daily training/trail time as ever. I find and feel her love in every heart I see.

Happy trails, sisters!

About the Author

Tara Warren is a mountain runner living in Ogden, Utah with her ultra runner hubby and three crazy boys. She finds freedom running along the dirt ribbons in her area. Running has been a hobby of hers since the early 90’s. In the last two years she has begun to dabble into the trail and ultra running scene. For Tara, it’s not all about being the fastest, but learning more about herself during the journey and having fun in the wilderness.

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Comments

7 Responses

  1. Thank you for this post. I, too, gather heart shaped rocks on my runs and take them to a special place. Love really is everywhere…sorry for you loss and thank you for sharing. <3

  2. Thanks for the beautiful share. I gather heart shaped leaves. I also ask my mom to give me wings when I want to give up on any kind of race/run. It pushes me a little more thinking that my legs and heart are lighter. missing your mama doesn’t get easier, you learn how to cope a little better. My mama has been gone for 25 years and I still miss her the day I lost her at 15. Thank you again for opening your heart and giving new perspective on ways to be at peace with the loss.

  3. Great post and so right on Tara. I lost my mom when I was 16 (now 39) and I STILL find myself climbing peaks, glancing at the clouds and seeing something that will remind me that she is watching, cheering and loving me still. Through the ups and downs you will undoubtedly have over the course of your grieving, you will forever have a trail angel now above you – the highest of cheerleaders. Many hugs!

  4. Can’t express enough how beautifully written this is and how much it touched me personally to read. Thank you so much.

  5. Tara this is so neat and I can feel the love you have for your mom. She is such an awesome person and by what I understand about life after death is that she is very much aware of you and your family. She prays for you and is pulling for you just like she always has, as you said. How wonderful that you have such a great outlet as running! I love you!!

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Sept. 14th 2024

Buena Vista, Colorado

Half-Marathon & 10k

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