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Mental Health Awareness Month


This month, I am running in support of Mental Health Awareness Month! I run for my mental well-being and am very grateful to live in Columbia, Maryland with its 96+ miles of paved trails. My goal this month is to run all 96 of them and tracking them on the CA Pathway Map while raising money for the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Howard County. NAMI helps thousands of people all year long. Please consider donating to NAMI, a cause that supports you and/or your loved ones, or join me as I run/walk/explore the paths! 



Below are some of the interesting things I've learned from exploring Columbia Association's paths.

Lessons from Traversing the CA Paths

  1. Most paths that lead UP to streets, are incredibly steep. Great for hill repeats. 

  2. There are many hidden ponds in neighborhoods with lots of wildlife. 

  3. Since I am running up and down to cul-de-sacs (where the trail dead ends), many people think I’m lost. 

  4. I got 96 miles and a road doesn’t count as 1. Therefore, I’ll be running way more than that this month to cover them all. 

  5. Longfellow is quite hilly. The kids who walk the paths to the elementary school everyday twice a day, are strong and will have lots of character!

  6. Some tot lots are wonderful. Although, I have yet to see any kids playing on them. I did see an adult on a bench and another adult on a swing. 

  7. Lots of goose poop around this time of year. And sweet baby geese. Not so sweet mother geese. 



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