What is home? There are many elements to home, but for me, home is largely a place where I’ve memorized the paths, dirt roads, trails, trees, rocks and hills—a place where I have established dozens of different running routes and have re-visited them hundreds of times. Consequently, home is a place of memories; memories of people who I’ve run with, of races that I’ve trained for and of challenges in my life where running was where I found clarity.
By this definition, I have three very unique homes in constant rotation. I’m a North American mutt, a hybrid of three countries: Canada, United States, and Mexico. Yes, I’ve confused many a customs officer with my tri-nationality. My life at the moment is divided between Nayarit (Mexico), Quebec, Vermont, and Colorado. There are pieces of me in each of these three uniquely beautiful countries and landscapes.
My jungle lodge in Mexico is currently closed for the summertime and I have the good fortune of enjoying August in the Colorado Rockies and September in New England, where I grew up on a charming lake that is half in Quebec, Canada and half in Vermont. Though I’m generally very happy wherever I happen to be at the moment, I have to agree with whoever said that you really don’t realize how beautiful your home is until you leave. Returning to each of my homes after months of being gone is oh so sweet.
I’ve made a habit of stuffing my running gear in my carry on when I fly—my essentials in case my checked bags don’t make it! No matter the climate zone, the first thing I do upon returning is put on my dirty running shoes and giddily skip out the door. Heading out on a familiar trail is like being re-united with an old friend. Whether it’s running through Quebec’s maple trees, Mexico’s palms, or Colorado’s lodgepole pines, it is only after a long run that I feel like I’ve re-connected with a place and have actually returned home.
Yet, as I return to run these familiar paths I also often feel as though I’m seeing them for the first time. Things are different along the trail—fallen trees, washed out sections of road, different light patterns and, of course, the hills always seem a bit longer! Another thing that has changed is me—I am different from the person who passed along these trails many months ago. I realize the failures and successes I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned. Upon this return home to Quebec, there’s a new bounce to my running step and the miles fly by as I brainstorm new dreams and projects with my jungle lodge in Mexico, eager to pour my energy into another season.
If home is where the heart is, then my heart is running down a familiar trail somewhere in North America… a trail that I’ve run many times, but am seeing with new eyes!
TAMARA JACOBI is the co-owner, hostess, website-designer, bookings manager, and expedition guide for Tailwind Outdoor, a family-owned eco-lodge and adventure tour company in San Pancho, Mexico. She is a lifelong athlete whose accomplishments include completion of 2 marathons, sea kayaking 850 miles down the Baja's Sea of Cortez, mountain biking 2000 miles of the USA's continental divide trail, mountaineering up Pico de Orizaba's 18,700 feet, and more. She is also a passionate trail runner and practicing yogini... {more »}
I love checking the Chi blog especially because I love finding articles like this. How true it is… that you can run the same path months and years later and feeling how much things have changed, yet will always be the same. I find the same in running my loops, the fire red and vivacious orange in the beginning of autumn that adorn the path take me back and move me forward.
Thank you for the article. You are an inspiration.
Stephanie
Like:
0
Ah…I was hooked with the title! I lived in Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole for years, and after work I walked across the street and hopped on one of many familiar trails. Now I live in San Francisco, and don’t have the easiest access, but always feel at home with dirt underneath my running shoes.
The title brings so many happy memories…thanks for the article!
Like:
0
As an expatriate [from the French Alps] in the US, I completely hear you on this subject. You’re so lucky to be able to share your time between these wonderful locations. I loved Quebec and can’t wait to visit Vermont next summer. Thanks for the article.
Like:
0
I agree, living in Montana i’ve become a trail runner over the last 4 years. There is nothing like the trail under your feet to set your mind straight.
Like:
0