Logging the miles....

Taking a break from the half marathon training for a section hike :-)  And Becky's first backpacking trip.  I needed to fill in a section north of Damascus to Damascus, VA - 25 miles in all.

We had gorgeous weather on our first day!  We climbed Whitetop Mountain and enjoyed breathtaking views!  If that isn't how you hook someone as a new hiker carrying 25 lbs I don't know what is.

After cresting Whitetop Mtn we started our downhill - and followed the white blazes painted on rocks when there were no trees.

We hiked a bit over 8 miles on day one and had a very uneventful evening :-)  Lasagna for dinner and no animal visitors.  We did start packing up in the rain tho, but once we set out for our longest day the rain held off.  We came across this gorgeous forest that was different that the rest of the forest we hiked through.

Our hike did bring us up to the VA Creeper Trail that we shared for about 1/2 mile.  We found a dry(ish) area to sit (on the creeper bridge) for a snack.  Little did we know as we continued on the Trail we passed 3 or 4 benches :-).  No wonder we got funny looks from the cyclists.

Becky tried to hitchhike - but didn't get any takers.  I think she was just looking for someone to carry her pack :-)

As we closed in on our second day we had three climbs - up and downs with no breaks.  But we walked the ridgeline, which is my FAVORITE!!  

We are walking on the very top of the mountain and the mountain falls away on each side.  On the way down we stopped to take a break and it started to sprinkle on us.  It only rains when we stop :-)  We'll take it.   A few more miles and we set up camp between the AT, the Creeper Trail and a river.  Listening to the river was very peaceful but we never considered that we had no privacy for bathroom business LOL.  We had to wait for the sun to go down and beat the sun coming up :-) But Monday we set out on our last day - heading to the car parking in Damascus.

We met up with the Creeper Trail again and followed the white blazes that were painted on telephone poles for the longest mile into town.  

And of course the obligatory final picture - be thankful you can't smell us!! That pink shirt I was wearing had to go through the wash twice!!!

So, now it is back to normal and back to the running schedule.  

I have to say that when I read the advice to run 6 days a week and work out the mileage so you don't go more than 10% a week I was sceptical, but we ran Saturday 4.1 miles and I didn't have any problems with my shin splints.  I think I've turned the corner.  

So, a few weeks left to focus on running until I hit the trail again.

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 :-)

It's real now folks...

Today is an overcast, cool day in North Georgia and we had 5 miles to do.  I wasn't as nervous about completing it as I was last week because Becky was with me, I did the 4 miles all by myself with no problem, and I have been killing it on our weekly short runs.

We went down to Cumming and did an out and back on a road with a sidewalk and appropriate hills to make you wish you were anywhere but there.  I am still getting in trouble for going to fast and she reminds me that I need to make sure I am with her.  Maybe I am meant to be a record setting runner :)  I am just happy to complete the 5 miles and not die!

She used run this area before and knew the mile markers so it was nice to see my Apple Watch was right on point.

Next week we have the Color Run so a 3.1 mile run will be a walk in the park :-)

Now that I know I can actually run for more than 2 miles I signed up for the Great Smoky Mountain Half.  It is real now folks.

I'm going to ice my shins and be a bum for the rest of the day - I earned it :-)

We did finish our 5 miles in 1:01 - not bad for run a mile walk a minute.  And I'm still alive to talk about it :-)

Averaging 2.5 miles

Slowly but surely I am getting there.  I ran 5 days straight this week and lived to tell about it :-)

This month's training schedule broke the runs down to minutes, not necessarily the run/walk schedule that made up February.  Once we found the right pace I have been able to go the distance and run the minutes.  It's amazing to me that 6 weeks ago we hadn't even started, and now I can run for 25 minutes straight.  

I am still battling shin splints on my right side, but nothing like when we first started and I am amassing a nice collection of compression socks :-)  Now I need to look at what to wear in the warm weather.  This week it has been warmer and I am realizing that my workout capris are just too hot to run in with the compression socks.  

But, now that the weather has started to warm up it is time to pull out the AT map and plan my next section, at least I am in my comfort zone there.  :-)  Time to show Becky how to do an overnight on the AT and knock out some serious miles!   I do know that you burn more calories hiking than running - I looked that up when my husband was running.

Should be a fun summer and adding more miles to my sneakers.  I wouldn't call myself a runner yet....I'm finding my groove, but I still feel like I am posing as one.  But, as long as I have the right gear I can look the part :-)

Saturday I have 4 miles to do....by myself....

But, at least it is in Florida, so nice and flat!!

3 miles!

I started out this morning with a motley crew -

Becky and I were scheduled to do 3 miles.  Her daughter, and 2 of my boys decided to join us.

All of our other runs were running for minutes (run/walking) this is the first true mileage run.  So we started nice and slow at a good pace and the kids took off!!  We did an out and back for the first mile and past 2 of the kids on their way back.  Becky and I were essentially the tortoise to their hare :-)

We finished the hill and walked up to the movie theater where we did the laps around the theater.  When we got to the top we were down to 4 of us.  We had completed 1.22 miles before we started lapping the theater and before we finished the 3 miles we were the last ones standing. :-)

Not the best pic, the sun was in my eyes - but still we were it :-)  

By the way - I ran over 1 1/2 miles straight today ;-)  It is great to have friends that won't let you settle and show you how to get over the hump :-)

The magic of pacing

Last night I was telling my husband that I can't get past the 2 minute run/1 min walk.  I know I'm sick.  I know I just started a month ago - but good grief this is getting old.

Today I laced up my sneakers and Becky had a plan - she was going to set the pace - 13 to start and go faster the longer we run.  Today we have 25 minutes.  So we went up to the movie theater parking lot where there is no traffic and it's flat.  She was all geeked out with a garmin watch on one wrist and a running watch for intervals on the other.

She set the pace and it is slow, but I am a fast walker - basically shuffling my feet faster than I walk.  When we finished the first 2 minutes I wasn't even sweating.  We continued for about 3 cycles of 2/1 and then I ran as long as I could without stopping.  12 minutes!!!!  I ran 12 minutes straight!!!  At the end I had a nice rhythm of about 11 - 12 min/mile and could breathe!!  Even with my cold.

Saturday we have 3 miles to do based on her training schedule.  Today we did 2, so I'm not dreading 3 miles as much.  Now I just need to find a good app for my apple watch to set the pace.  The workout app built in to the watch tells me the average, not what I'm running.  Any suggestions?

Running with the crud

So, I have been battling the crud (I believe that is the official terminology for it) and running has been low on my list of things I want to do that involve deep breathing.  I took off Friday - Tuesday and this morning Becky, Chris and I laced up our shoes and hit the road.

Chris is a long time runner, but coming back from an injury that sidelined her for months - so we are about the same speed.  Becky, well, she runs the full 30 minutes when I'm not with her so.... you see what I mean.

Anyway, they let me set the pace and we didn't tackle any huge hills today.  For the first 3 2 minute runs I did fairly good, I was ready to stop after 2 minutes, but my Apple Watch said I was doing between an 8 and 9 minute pace, too fast.  Of course I petered out at the last 2 2 minute runs.

After the run Becky was explaining to me the importance of pacing, and not having run before it was never anything on my radar.  Guess I will have to work on that :-)

Starting this month we are running minutes (doesn't matter how long the walk/run sections are) as long as the minutes are achieved.  So, tomorrow is a 30 minute run/walk.  I think while I battle the crud I will stick to the 2 run/1 walk routine and hopefully get to up that next week.  Meanwhile, time to start planning some hikes since we are warming up here :-)

All by myself...

Yesterday I had to work all day.  I had grand plans of going to the gym for a cardio day on the way home, but the Atlanta traffic and long drive took all the excitement out of that prospect.  Today was a running day anyway and Becky said if it was 20 or below we should do the treadmill since none of our races are in that kind of weather (Races.... like we have that many planned LOL).

But, Becky had a family emergency so I was on my own.  It was in the mid 30's this morning, but it was sleeting and snowing - so the treadmill it was.  I pulled up my C25K app and it started a new week - week 3.  This was where I ended my running 2 years ago when I got it in my head this would be a good idea.  So, there is that mental block that it is make it or break it time.  The workout consisted of a 5 minute warm up (1 1/2 min run/walk, then 3 min run/walk) twice and a 5 minute cool down.  That is 3 minutes of straight running TWICE!!  Ugh....

I did it!!!  :-) :-) :-)

I know that it was only the treadmill and honestly I am not sure I could do it outside,  but it was a good boost of confidence.  Saturday is the next run day - so that will be moment of truth.

I got new compression sleeves but running on the treadmill I had no one to show them off to :-)

Nothing makes a run easier than new gear :-)