The hiker and runner clash

My first love is hiking.  I am slowly but surely section hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I am about 540 miles (2186 total give or take), so I still have some mileage to go. Last year I broke my leg and sprained my ankle and that put me out of the game after only getting 72 miles last year.  This year I am ready!!  I have been doing the PT exercises to strengthen my hips and working on my cardio all year at the gym and of course weights - bring on spring!!!

For non hikers - I plan my hikes with AWOL's AT Guide.  It shows the elevation, parking, shelters, water sources, etc.  So I know from the elevation if I can do 15 miles that day or maybe even 19.  Then of course I have to arrange a shuttle.  I park my car where I am going to finish my hike and get a shuttle to drop me off at the start, then I just hike back to my car.  I don't have to worry about anyone else's time schedule to pick me up or if I finish early I am not having to wait or reschedule my shuttle.  So, I have 3 hikes coming up this year that I am planning, hopefully 160-180 miles if I can swing it.  My first hike is with Becky, her first overnight backpacking trip.  It is only 23 miles - I got snowed out last year and have to fill in the gap.  So we can go at a speed comfortable for her and take our time over a long weekend.

The section section will be with my youngest son - his first backpacking trip as well.  We are going to attempt 50 miles over 5 days and the terrain is not bad at all so I think we should be able to get that finished.  

Now, I was planning to do 70-80 miles around Labor Day.  That would put me a good way up the trail :-)  But, that is right before the half marathon.  I sent Becky a message - easy miles - 75ish miles before the half marathon - good?  Nope - she nixed that.  Apparently I need to push that back until after the race so I "save my legs".  So, I guess I will just take a week in the fall and enjoy the VA foliage.

Today we ran 3.6 miles in my new shoes.  I got Asics Nimbus shoes to replace my Altras.  Everyone I talked to said to change your shoes when you suffer from shin splints so I am praying this does the trick.  We are doing 5 miles Saturday so I should have a good idea after that run.  

Gorgeous day for a hike

 Today was gorgeous and I have been itching to get back on the trail.  My son and his friend went on a hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn - an Inn that you can only access by hiking.  It isn't a bad hike at all and perfect for Ethan's friend's first ever hike!  So we set off 5 miles for the Hike Inn where I told them there are cookies for hikers :-)

I hung back and took pics so they could have some pace without "Mom" hanging out.

Don't you love the little tree holding up the big tree?

The view from the Hike Inn.  After we ate warm oatmeal raisin cookies and hiked 5 miles we enjoyed the view.  The boys played corn hole and battleship in the game room while I enjoyed the view.

 Time to start finalizing plans for the upcoming section hikes :-)

I'm getting there

So, slowly I'm getting back into running.  Last week I ran two days and was working on my form.  I was hitting with my heels and I needed to be running more on the balls of my feet.  So, while Becky was out of town I took the opportunity to run in a flat area and just focus on that.

I also got fitted for new running shoes, since after talking to running friends and doing my own research if you don't have the right shoes you can get shin splints as well.  But, the wrong ones came....so I need to make a trip back to REI to exchange them.

Today Becky and I ran almost 3 miles.  I noticed a big difference with my form and didn't have to think about it.  Tomorrow we have 4 miles and it is back to our regular training schedule.

Meanwhile, I have been focusing on my weightlifting at the gym and elliptical cardio to stay in shape for hiking season :-)

Time to start planning my section hiking trips and arranging for shuttles.  Last year I had to end my hiking season early because of a sprained ankle and a fractured leg, so I am ready to get back to it.  My son and Becky want to try backpacking and overnight trips so... I might not get as many miles in as originally planned, but maybe someone else will appreciate the solitude of the trail and enjoy it as much as me.

Color Run

This morning me and Becky and my middle son and her daughter did the Atlanta Color Run.  I need to say that I have never done a Color Run, I've never done a 5k....I have done a 30k (hike/run) but man...this was a different beast.

So, since my only experience with a race that I have participated in was a 30k I was not expecting
 #1 the amount of people and #2 the amount of walkers in the run.  This run was more of an obstacle course dodging walkers, kids, and strollers - you definitely are not out for a PR.  We did have a blast tho and thankfully all the color came off and I am no longer blue :-)

Connor and Nya are ready for the color spritzers :-)

So proud of Connor - this was his first race ever :-)

The afters :-)

Becky getting blown off with a leaf blower before we left

I think the color adds character :-)

Now back to ice my shin and recover so we can start the training all over again.