10 Pros for Trails & GEAR girl!

Quote of the Week:  It is better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand days as a lamb!


So, I survived my 3 hour, 40 minute run with Marty. Actually, better than survived! I enjoyed it! I ran slow and steady (yup, like the tortoise) and felt great! Lesson learned- IGNORE everyone else on the race course and go my own speed (which is like first gear). I've mentioned what I call my 'forever pace' where I feel like I can just keep going forever....Even when hiking, I can't push it too hard to keep up (like when Bill and Ed tried to race on our first Endurance Hike at Harriman Park...Yup, I'm talking about you two!). If I push it too hard, I burn out. Mental note.


Oh, and last blog I mentioned I had a black toenail from my mountaineering boots. I still can't believe it hasn't impacted my running (we'll see what happens WHEN it falls off!). Forget about what'll happen race day. Pretty, eh? Oh, the joys of being an athlete. Come on, athletes, you can't say it's gross, as you KNOW what this is like!  Only other times I've lost a toenail was descending Mt. Kilimanjaro and on the Appalachian Trail in PA (not sure where that last one fits!)! 

I'm FINALLY feeling good about the possibility of finishing this race! And, the cross-training is going well. A 30 mile bike ride with Paul this week. And, AFTER our long run Saturday at White Clay in Delaware (where I bumped into Andrew biking....the active world is way smaller than it should be!), I promptly took a spa bath (yup, still doing that!), and a nap. Woke up and did an 8+ mile sunset paddle on the Schuylkill River with Kevin and Kristin. When I got home, I was afraid my neighbors were going to suggest an 'intervention' for my "addiction" to an active lifestyle. They have threatened it before! No lambs here...I was a LION that day. Roar.


Trail running is growing on me....Top 10 REASONS TO TRAIL RUN. 
1. Observing wildlife-I've seen so many birds, deer, chipmunks, and recently snakes! Don't worry mom, these snakes are harmless! Well, to me. I got to see one catch a toad. And, the toad was at least 20x as big as the snakes head! The snake had the toad's leg and wouldn't let go as the toad tried to get away. I thought about intervening, but this is how nature works, right? I waited about 5 minutes to see what would happen and it was at a standstill. So, I had to keep running! I don't see THAT on the Philly streets!
2. The trees are a canopy in the rain! I got caught TWICE recently in heavy rain and the trees offered some solace. (I'd look funny running with an umbrella). They also offer protection from the sun and it's SO much cooler in the woods! 
3. Bathrooms everywhere. No lines. No waiting. No looking. It's nature, you can go anywhere; anytime!....Heck, the animals do it!
4. Muscles. I definitely feel stronger from the elevation changes and they say the hills will help my glute muscles. Well, we'll see when I put on that bikini next week! Roar.
5. Everyone is kind! There is definitely a different mentality of those who are on trails. There is a kindness that is not necessarily there in the city (like when those on cell phones walk right in front of you....yup, pet peeve!). On trails, people actually put down their cells and soak in life, for just a moment.
Okay...there's five. I'm working on it!


And, lastly, GEAR GIRL. I've always wanted to have a job where companies give me gear and all I have to do is test it out. (anyone hiring?). So, I'll just be a self-proclaimed Gear Girl for now. I already mentioned my new running pack (which I still LOVE!), but for shorter runs, I don't need a whole pack. Julie (Did I mention I'm sad she's moving to Haiti? Argh) got me THIS water bottle as a gift since she is an experienced Ultra runner:

It is PERFECT for shorter runs and doesn't bother you to hold it at all. It fits a few Gels and keys. I had a Nathan one previously, but Ultimate Direction definitely wins out. Want more detail? See below! And, you can buy it here. They do have other colors than pink. But, pink rocks.

IN two weeks, we have our FOUR HOUR RUN! Stay tuned....
And, thanks again to all of you who have been super-supportive as I tackle this journey. A journey is what it is, for sure. Hence, this blog. I'm learning a ton about distance running and, more importantly, about myself. Can't ask for more.  :)