Summer. Blue skies. Deep warmth. Breathtaking views. Laughter, smiles, joy. The carefree, intoxicating aroma of life lived fully.

In full swing now, the summer months in the Upper Valley came upon us quickly and with little time for adjustment, but they are cherished by everyone in unique ways, offering new opportunities and a sense of a fresh beginning. In New England, it could be argued that we hold a deeper appreciation for this time of year more than others because of the long expanses of winter we know are always in store: a time that can be equally as beautiful, yet dark, lonely and cold. In the depths of January we long for the crisp green views of the mountain ranges to the east and west, the scent of lush wildflowers in the air, and the slight tang of growing and budding vegetation on our tongues.

As runners, we hold and understand a deeper connection than most to nature and all it has to offer, feel more deeply the beauty as we traverse ridgelines, bushwhack trails, summit mountains, suffer on endless dirt roads. The experience of living to the fullest is at best an elusive idea in modern society, marred by constant worries about global issues, money, and what the future might hold. It is far too easy to become entombed within the overload of information that is constantly present in our days, so we find ways to cope. To let it go. To be one, to be free.

We find this freedom through distance running, and we find peace in the simplicity it brings to our lives. In nature, alone, we worry about nothing but the next step, the next hill, the completion of what we have set out to do. Appealing to our primal minds, running grounds us to a reality lost to many—the sense of being within ourselves, fully connected, in tune with our heart rate, breathing, mind, body. Without the experience of these moments, we lose a small piece of our humanity and our capacity to simply experience an experience, which can be a difficult concept for many to grasp. Athletes, however, understand it well, and it puts us a level above those who have been unfortunate to never feel the senses that running, mountain biking, hiking, climbing—and a long list of other activities—gives us.

Don’t undervalue the gift we have in our lives. Cherish it, use it, enjoy it. Running will always be there for you, in the best and worst times. It has the capacity to tear us down to the deepest layers of our soul, but also to lift us to impossible highs. Remember what it has done for you, what it means to you, how it has changed your life for the better. We owe running so much, the least that we can do is keep going out the door in the morning, ready to create something new and amazing.

In difficult times, where outcomes of the future may be uncertain and scary, find solace and serenity in the next step, the next mile, the next run. Peace is a commodity that has deep value in today’s world; do not squander what small amount you are given. Out on the trail, the road, and everywhere in between, we will find beauty in simplicity, simplicity in movement.

To all the members of this community, and to anyone else who may read this, enjoy your summer to the fullest. Find time to let the sun warm you, listen to birds sing, and lay eyes on the breathtaking views the Upper Valley has to offer. And of course, find the time to run, because even a minute run brings us closer to what we seek from this life.