In my backyard or why my treadmill will be gathering dust

Earlier this week when I ran this trail I was dying, but tonight I had such a great run and it was just so beautiful.

From my house to where I was taking this picture only took me about 25 minutes and I'm not even very speedy...

...yet:)

 I really haven't done a lot of outside running since I have ankles that seem to get twisted a lot when I run outside, but I have been working to build up my leg strength. I am already addicted to this beautiful, beautiful mountain that is right in my backyard.

 I have always been sort of a treadmill girl, but this changes everything.

 Taryn, one of my running friends, and I kept our eyes open for mountain lions, but the only thing we ran into (almost literally) was our stake president on his way down the mountain.

During my run today I was thinking about how life and mountains and treadmills have some parallels...

When I run on my treadmill I have to make a conscious effort to decide how fast and far I am going to go. When I decide to run the mountain trails, once I decide, the mountain sets my course. I don't get as much of a say as to how much effort I expend because the mountain requires a certain amount and will accept no less than the minimum effort it takes to climb it. And if I feel like quitting, I really can't.

At certain times of my life when I have had different challenges (that seem like giant mountains) I have thought to myself, wow, I am learning so much from this, but why didn't I choose to learn this rather than be in a situation where I was almost forced to learn it?

I'm not quite sure what the answer is, but although the mountain trail is really challenging, the view from the top is spectacular.

I think the same thing can apply to my challenges...although sometimes my challenges seem more difficult than I can handle, when I get to the other side of them, it all seems worth it and I feel so much stronger.