Runner's High

I know it’s been a long time since I paid any attention to Climb Run Wander. Needless to say, my life has taken more and more turns and it seems like the last three years have been spent searching, frantically for my passions and for my callings. But, alas, I have returned and I hope to stay this time.

Yesterday, I went for a run and so when I decided to start this come-back, it seemed appropriate to do so with a few words on part of the title of this humble blog. Running is a sport that, although it has a huge following, with races that more than 20,000 sign up for, is vastly under-appreciated in this day and age. So I’d like to begin with that.

I wake up yesterday, at 4:15am. The sun is barely starting to approach the horizon and the light glow of dawn lights my room as I put on my racelab triathlon shorts and triathlon top. After fiddling with my contact lenses, eating a quick bowl of cereal, and preparing my water, I drive to the Reach 11 trail area in North Phoenix with the radio off, just enjoying the quiet, Sunday morning.

Arizona’s Botanical Salad Bar

In a world where vegetables and fruits are found in a supermarket, it is almost unheard of to think about the greens one can find in their own backyard. Apples, oranges, bananas, lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and any other vegetable or fruit that comes to mind are found in the produce aisle of a retail store. But what can be found in the wild? What can the seemingly desolate, unfriendly, and dead-looking desert of Arizona offer a hungry critter or even a hungry human being? Surprisingly, the menu isn’t blank or even boring. With the right know-how, campers or hikers can be fed by the very nature they are surrounded by.

Although many plants that render edible parts are protected and shouldn’t be picked or harvested from the wild, if you happen to have one of these plants in your yard, you won’t be breaking any laws. Also, this information can be valuable if you ever find yourself in a survival situation. The following is a quick run-through of the most common plants that I’ve seen in the desert and their specific edible parts. Make sure you look them all up before you go out and make sure you can identify the plants before you go pick something up and take a bite. Too much research and preparation is always better than too little.