Running Moved Me to Arizona: Finding Love in the Desert
Nopales, cholla, and the majestic saguaro cacti covering the hills and valleys next to, and beyond the khaki-colored, dusty running trail. Desert pigs called javelinas, tarantulas out in the wild, coyotes, mountain lions, scorpions, and rattlesnakes. The flora and fauna in the Sonoran Desert are unique, beautiful, dangerous, and exciting. Welcome to running in Arizona!
Coming from the flatlands of the Chicagoland area to the Sonoran Desert of the Southwestern United States, I knew that my running would change — that was the point! I wanted to challenge my running, change the scenery, and explore new terrain. However, the journey that transplanted me from my home city, Chicago, to one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world is nothing short of pure serendipity. Running physically led me to the desert but more importantly, running put me in the right time and right place to meet my current partner — the love of my life.
What initially attracted me to Tucson, AZ was a half-marathon put on by Vacation Races a few years back. To be completely honest, Arizona was never on my radar for places to visit. Being from the Midwest, if I ever booked a flight west, Arizona’s more popular neighbor would always snag my vacation days.
