Happy Trails

I've had this thought and it wouldn't leave my head. It was fairly beautiful last weekend and I thought to myself.....it would be cool to do a little trail running with the leaves all changing and the air so crisp and the sun still semi warm. So, I decided I would go trail running the next weekend since I didn't have my son. I searched the internet for trails that I could run and decided I would go to Canton and run in Newton Hills State Park. I've always liked it there. It's this little oasis in the middle of the prairie really. The person I wanted to trail run with is running the New York Marathon next weekend so I didn't want to ask her to go.  I decided I would go by myself. Of course it rained all week and pretty much all the leaves blew off the trees and it looks prematurely like winter, but I decided to go anyway.

Saturday morning, I woke around 8:30 (God it was great to sleep in!) and had a very nice and lazy conversation with my main man. It was around 10:30 when I decided to go for my run. The actual forecast was supposed to be sunny and 55 degrees with some wind. It never was sunny and there was little wind, so the cold didn't feel so bad. It was around 45 degrees when I started out. Newton Hills is about a 30 minute drive. I had to call one of my friends for directions. It had been awhile since I have been to the park so I sort of forgot how to get there quickly. Anyhoo, I started down I-29 totally rockin to the 80's. The music was awesome! I was belting out the tunes and generally excited for my run. I exited the interstate and was the only one on the highway. I thought that was kind of cool so I snapped a picture while driving.

I forget how pretty the prairie can actually be.  As you get closer to Newton Hills the terrain totally changes.  It's just not flat anymore.

Way off in the distance of the above picture you can see Lake Lakota, the other part of the State Park.

By this time Journey was on the radio singing "Don't Stop Believin"....that song totally rocks.  The Ranger station was closed but I was a good girl and paid my $4 fee.  I believe in the State Parks so I do my part.  There is a one way street that goes away from the campground to that's where I headed.  It takes you to picnic areas and the trails.  The leaves were off the trees and covering roadway.  Like I said, it was grey out and it was really kinda spooky......

The first trail was the Woodland trail and was only 3/4 mile long.  I did not want to do that, plus I thought it might be a little muddy.  I went a little further and found the trailhead for the area I wanted.  It was the multi-purpose trail.  Mountain bikes, horses and foot traffic could use this trail.  I thought it might be best to stay on that trail since it had rained so much during the week.  I got myself ready and headed to the trailhead.  I looked at the map to see where I was going and then noticed this sign....

Gulp....I never even thought of that.  Hmmm....well, I wasn't wearing an orange vest but I did have my purple thermal on.  I pretty much thought no one would mistake purple for an animal of some sort, plus my I was sure my wheezing and sniffling would warn someone far enough away that something other than a nimble deer was on the horizon.   Then, I stopped for a moment and just listened.  You know how you don't do that often enough, so I thought I should.  It was really quiet.  The first thing I noticed was there was no wind so it was pretty silent.  Next I heard cows mooing.  Yes mooing.  I kind of smiled to myself and headed toward the bridge to start my run.  Now I don't mind bridges but I get a little freaked with suspension bridges.  I HATE the swaying motion of suspension bridges.  It was fine as I crossed, it only began to sway as I neared the end.

I had to pee too.  I drank a whole can of Rumba on the way to the park and knew I would have to pee.  In the right side of the above photo you can see the rest room.  Yep, I used it.  I knew it wouldn't be totally gross, but I could smell it before I got there.  I held my breath and went in.  It was loaded with ladybugs!  Yuck.  They were everywhere.  So, I squatted quickly and got out of there.  EEEEWWWW.  Well, had to be done and my gut felt much better.

 

I started off on the trail and it was pretty much all up.  I had forgotten how hard trail running was (other than the hills).  It was slippery in spots, muddy in spots, and very uneven.  I even had to dodge horse droppings.  I could tell there were some people on horseback at some point that morning.  The hoof marks in the mud were pretty evident.  I was really glad at this point that I was not as heavy as a horse because everywhere the horses stepped they pretty much indented.  My nimble foot strikes kept me high and dry.....most of the time.  I was about 2 miles into my run when I started to encounter this....a lot!

I had to do even more off-roading than what I was already doing, but I never fell on my ass and I made it through those obstacles without too much mud on my shoes.  I was really enjoying myself at this point.  I didn't feel like I was running that fast but I was really working.  I wasn't worried about time or anything, I just wanted to enjoy.  I was glad I was running by myself and really just glad to be running.  It's nice to be out in nature.  It clears the head.   I worked my way around more mud and came to a crossroads in the trail.  I wasn't sure where to go so I had to consult the map.  This is what I found.

Which way to go?????  I won't hold you in suspense, I took D.  Neither Boobs nor Cock took me where I needed to go (this time).  So, off to D I went.  Now D was very muddy in lots of areas because I was now in the valley so to speak.  I did a lot of traversing around gigantic mud puddles.  But it was fun.  I loved the adventure of it all.  I turned a sharp corner and looked right at a mud area and then noticed this.....

Yup, straight up.  This is not exaggeration.  It was pretty slippery with the wet leaves but I made it up to the top only to have it traverse to the right and even higher.  I was huffing pretty good at this point.  A good glute workout for sure.  Once I reached the top it opened up to prairie again.  My heaving wheezing and sniffling scared up some deer at this point so I stopped to admire them.  They were pretty quick so I couldn't get a pic of them, just the openess.

 

I finished up my run working pretty hard and ending at just over 4 miles.  It was great and I was still all alone.

It really was the perfect temp out and I was pretty sweaty when done.  I was getting cold too.  So I headed back to the car.  Here are a few more pics of my adventure.

Going back across the suspension bridge.

 

View off the side of the suspension bridge.

 

The observation Tower.

 

View from the observation tower.

After I finished snapping pictures, I wished I had done this earlier when the leaves were on and changing.  Note to self next year I guess.  Springtime would be great too as the forest is reinventing itself.  I enjoyed my quiet time today in the woods.  I never encountered another human being and I left the ipod at home.  Trail running is hard, but I liked  the challenge and I definitely liked being one with nature.  I was just glad to be doing what I was doing.  I don't often appreciate the moment I am in, always looking to the future (or god forbid, looking back).  So it was nice to appreciate the moments I was there.

On a side note, I bought a bathing suit, some goggles, and a swim cap.  I suppose I will be back with that adventure......until then....CHEERS!  

May the Force Be With You

I just got back from a run this morning.  I ran about 6 miles in just about 1 hour.  I have to tell you this is just the icing on the cake of a week of AWESOME workouts.  I needed the long slow run today just to top it off.  I don't think I could have done a really intense workout.  I was beat from the week.  Here it is in a nutshell.

• Monday: Went to gym, ran for 25 minutes on the treadmill, 30 minutes on the step mill, then some more running on the track.  I sprinted 2 laps and walked one.  Did this 4 times.  Felt pretty good when done.
• Tuesday:  Took spin circuit class at endurance.  That class totally kicks ass.  Weights and cycling together and separate.  Was a dripping mess when done.
• Wednesday:  Attended a heated cycling class, 1 hour.  Amy had us use weights while on the bike.  The room was around 85 degrees.  I was a sweaty mess and completely exhausted when done.  Felt sooooo good though.
• Thursday:  Cardio Core class with Traci (uh, starting to rethink that I might want her as personal trainer, she's tough!).  Was awesome.  My stomach muscles hurt so bad on Friday.  I also walked Thursday eve for 30 minutes while my son was at swim lessons.
• Friday:  Day off (much needed too!)

I look back on this week and feel that I really pushed myself.  I pushed much harder than I have in a long time.  My eating was pretty on track this week too.  I finally dropped 5 pounds that my body was hanging on to for the last 2 weeks.  Overall, I'm feeling pretty good.  Let's hope this continues on.  I want it to, so maybe it will.  I'll keep trying that for sure.

I had a funky dream last night too.  I was doing my first triathlon.  It was so disorganized and people weren't doing the right things at the right time.  Instead of a swim we had to run on a little tramp or do the step mill.  I kept falling on the tramp so I went to the step mill.  When I got to the bike, my helmet was the Boba Fett Helmet.  In my dream I wore it with my tank and tri shorts.  What a dork!  Can't you just picture it?!?!

Picture compliments of "Wookiepedia"

The dream was just a mash of what my son wants to be for Halloween, I watched a triathlon last night on television, and probably all my workouts from the week.  Have I gone Mad???

I slept in until 9am today.  I'm going shopping this afternoon and I'm off to Vegas next week.  Got lots to do and things to buy and more workouts to be done this week.  Until next time, may the force be with you!  Cheers!  

In Good Health

Ok, so I've been battling this virus.  It makes me tired.  And my body aches.  But, it's not so bad that it totally puts me down.  It just makes it hard to do more than the day to day stuff....i.e. workout.  I have been getting better.  Since I have been battling this nasty little bug, I have decided to use this as a wake up call.  You know how you always think "I will eat better.  I will take care of my body", but you never really do.  Well, this has really been the catalyst for me.  I'm trying to heal myself, kind of like a mind over matter thing.  Every time I eat good things for my body I tell myself the food is helping to heal my body.  It's really been working.  I've turned over a new leaf so to speak.  My workouts have been good.  I am really pushing myself so they don't always feel "good" at the time.  But, I feel great when I am done.  Today I ran for 30 minutes (that did not feel good), then I did the step mill for 30 minutes (always feels good).  When I got done I felt I needed to run a little to test the fatigue in my legs.  I was at the gym and ran 2 laps, walked 1 lap.  I did this 4 times.  On the run, I didn't jog, I ran....hard.  It all felt good when I was done.

Here's to good health!   Cheers!

(I hope I don't regret writing this in a couple of weeks....I can see the post now....Duped by Chocolate and Laziness!...Noooooooo!)

I'm a Believer

Ok, so it's been awhile....sorry.  Thanks to all my fans (the one or two I know that actually read this) for sticking with me.  I was camping this past Labor Day weekend and saw the triathlon I talked about in the last post.  It was called the Triple V (V V V for Veni, Vidi, Vici).  G, D and I were all going to go a watch.  A special shout out to C-man who stayed back with the kiddos....thanks!!  G rode her bike (she was too slow from the 18 miles she ran the day before), so D and I walked.  Now we knew the triathlon was taking place at the marina and we "knew" the marina was 3 miles away.  But, for some reason that all didn't register and 20 minutes before the start we headed out.  Um, yeah, 3 miles running in 20 minutes would be an all time PR for me (high school included).  So there we were hoofin it to the start.  I was gettin kinda cranky knowing I would be missing the swim and that we had like 15000 miles to go.  But, I wasn't gonna say anything.  Then...D said something about how we should have driven.  WTF?  That unlatched the flood gates.  I complained and complained and complained and my coffee was cold.  D finally turned to me and said, "You don't have any coffee in that mug do you?  You just brought it to carry all your issues!"  Ok, that was kind of funny.

We finally arrived and made it just before the lead bikers came into T2.  I then see some really good guy fly off his bike, run with his bike into T2, and run out all in like 2 blinks.  It was truly amazing.  As he was running out of transition, I saw the most beautiful grapefruits in his speedo.....yes folks, his ass was amazing.  I think I drooled a little.  Hope you weren't thinking I meant something else.  Anyway, I digress.  It was all very cool and motivating.  It seems like a good course and I am seriously thinking about next year. I think it's great that all levels of athlete are out there testing their bodies.  I tend to compare myself to others.  I don't want to half-ass something.  I want to be the best I can be when I do these things.  I get too disappointed otherwise.  I don't want to be disappointed.  There's part of my motivation I guess.

As I mentioned earlier, my friend G ran 18 miles the day before.  G, the badass that she is, is training for the NYC Marathon.  I'm so pumped for her.  Now part of her training program involves the run/walk method.  Gasp!  Yes, I said run/walk.  Now I would normally consider "walking" during my run a failure.  However, quite frankly, my runs have been sucking lately.  So, G told D and I about the run/walk and C-man is gave his testimonial.  So there we were, D and I deciding to do at least 4 miles and more if we felt good.  The basic premise is run one mile, walk a minute, run another mile, walk one minute, run a mile, walk a minute, etc....You get the picture.  Now the key is to make sure you walk after each mile.  You can't run 4 and then start the walking.  By starting from the beginning you are allowing you legs one minute recovery and you are able to maintain consistent miles instead of slowing down.  D and I ran 6 miles and definitely did not feel like we did.  We actually did, cuz my Garmin said so!  Now, I have been struggling through a periodic 4 miles and D hasn't really run since his half marathon in May.  We are now believers.  I will run/walk all my mileage higher than 3 miles.  It's so nice to run and actually have something left at the end.  Here's a little info on the  Galloway method .  Try it sometime.  I think I like running again.  I actually want to train for something.  I guess better late than never huh?

Until next time,
Cheers!

Teamwork

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog! I'm not real sure any of this is going to be very interesting, but I think it is and I think I'm a bit interesting (if not weird) so there should be some "thing" of substance here....don't you think? Anyway, I have been giving a lot of thought to my very first blog entry. I've almost been nervous about it. I decided after my "appointment" tonight that I would finally post and get that first step over with. After all, you can't go anywhere if you don't take the first step, right?!

Without boring you with too many details, I will share some things about myself. I am a single mom of the best little 6 year old boy a person could have. Who ever thought you could love someone so much!?!?! I'm divorced and happy about that....enough said. I'm on a journey of discovery right now and that journey includes so many things that I thought a blog would help me keep it straight and also keep a sense of humor about it. I love to run and bike. I like hanging with my girlfriends and by myself. I more than adore white wine and am learning an appreciation for reds. Red wine is actually helping me to "slow down" and enjoy the drink. Who knew you could sip wine?? I like being social and I like hiding away. Travel is on my agenda as often as I can swing it (more like as often as my pocket book will let me). My boyfriend is the best and pretty darn cute too!

So, what does all this have to do with teamwork you ask? (well, if you haven't been asking I can admit that I have!). Well, my appointment tonight was an Open House for my 1st Grader. Teamwork is important as we all come together to give our children the best education possible. How can we ask one person (the teacher) to do it all when they have 20 little sponges everyday?! It's amazing they still have a sense of humor. I'm going to be volunteering in the classroom and I am excited to be part of the team!

Teamwork is also important in a relationship. I know that, but it is sometimes a hard concept to put into practice. I experienced a bit of that in my own relationship today. The saying goes, "There is no I in Team"....when one part of an us is not doing well, how in the hell can the other person be "ok"? When we love someone and we know something is wrong or at least not right how can the we act like everything is peachy keen? Boys are dumb.....

I wanna be part of a team again. I don't necessairly want to do team sports per se, I just want to get back in the swing of my sports (running and biking). I need a goal and a reason to hurt myself (in a good way) with the daily grind of exercise. I have lots of friends that are runners etc. but I shy away from running with them, afraid I will die, not live up to my expectations, or be too slow for them...blah, blah, blah. Just excuses. I have lots of excuses but I won't bore you with them. I think the saying goes, "Excuses are like assholes, we all have them." Well, just like that I have them. I just need to get control of them. I want to do a triathlon. That will be my goal. I will sign up for my very first one in 2010. I am going to watch my very first one over labor day weekend. That should get the motivation on!

Well, here's to my first post. Done and documented for the world to see.....Hello World! I will try to keep future posts "in control" and on topic but I can't promise. Until then...Cheers!!!