Coastal state park offers miles of hiking through pine savannah, hardwoods, wetlands, and swamp
It's a bit of a drive out to the land of pine and sandhills and brackish water where the Pamlico River meets the ocean, but it was a beautiful day for a hike under the loblollies while buzzards flew above the treetops, the sun rimming their broad wings with tips of gold. We'd driven to Washington, NC - just a couple miles outside historic Bath, NC - to explore Goose Creek State Park, a swampy park with boardwalks, Spanish moss, and scrub pines.
What I'm looking forward to this spring
It's time! Time I stopped procrastinating and actually signed up for my spring races, so that's exactly what I did this past week. My spring 2017 races are officially on the books: Rock'n'Roll Raleigh half marathon on April 2 and, for some inexplicable reason why I'm running this for a third time (ughhhhh!), the Tar Heel 10 Miler on April 22. This is my fifth half marathon and my third 10 miler and yes, it does seem crazy to run this much, but I'm excited about these races! Here are the top things I'm looking forward to!
And a recap of February 2017 goals
They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, but I feel like this March is just going to be a big ol' polar bear on a melting ice cap. Too soon? Fiiiiiiine. Let's talk about goals!
Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park offers plenty of short trails that loop together
On Saturday I had some spare time and energy after a cut-back long run, so I headed to Fuquay-Varina to explore Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park and knock out hike #3 of my 52 Hike Challenge. What a strange little park. The parking lot circles around a wide green space with restrooms and an amphitheatre near a sign showing the various trails throughout the park. I took a glance at the map, noted the small trails that looped together - one loop, and then the next, and then another like a chain - and decided to check out all 1.7 miles of trail that I could.
Sign up for the weekly email and get a free printable!
I know it's a little late to get excited about calendars seeing as it's already after Valentine's Day and everything, but I'm a procrastinator. I've been trying to get better about planning hikes and getting them on a calendar to share, but 1) that requires prior commitment, and 2) see #1 again. So instead of a whole public calendar that's all meet-up style, I'm excited to announce that Sunday Stroll information will be included in the weekly email newsletter! So if you're interested in joining on a Sunday Stroll and want a freebie calendar, make sure you're signed up for the mailing list!
It can be tempting to run hard every time you go for a run, but really you shouldn't. Here's why.
10 miles can be an exhausting long run.I know this woman who has a son who, when he trains for a half marathon, goes all-out on every long run. He's young and full of energy and feels no fatigue throughout the training plan. For the rest of us though, we're not so lucky, and we have to train smart on the long run. While it can be tempting to run the weekly long run at race pace, it's actually smarter (especially for beginners) to take the long run at a nice, easy pace.
My favorite gear for transitional weather
I am not a leggings kinda person. I'll wear them for climbing and yoga, and that's it. Even when it's horribly cold I'm the person who lounges around in shorts and goes running in shorts. It's partly because it's never quite that cold in North Carolina to necessitate getting really bundled up, and partly because it's just not that comfortable to me - they ride up awkwardly, they cling in places I want a little more room, and they chafe on long runs.So the other day when I was browsing gear at one of my local running stores I picked up a pair of leggings to try on - mostly out of a little self-Schadenfreude (but also because of their crazy rad print). And - shocking! - they fit in all the right places! I couldn't believe it!
Thanks for keeping me on track and for making my exercise hours my happy hours
Valentine's Day is all about celebrating love - for your partner, for your friends, for those people who keep you sane. On this special day I want to say thank you to my exercise buddies.
