– – Training Week 4 started on Saturday with the world all socked-in with snow and ice from Friday’s storm, so Saturday was a treadmill with heavy pack day for me.
Sunday morning, everything was still iced in, so it was kickboxing for me early.
A little bit later things were starting to melt, so thanks to some other local hikers, I decided to take it outdoors to enjoy some sunshine and company!
A few of the local hike leaders, hosted by my friend Michael, ventured out to Umstead State Park, and took the multi-use trail from Old Reedy Creek Road into the Park.
Checking out the MUT into Umstead State Park.
Some of the group went into the woods on a snow-covered trail, but another hiker and I just took the MUT back the way we came because of time constraints.
The walk out was a lot easier and less treacherous than the earlier walk in!
Monday was my first posted hike, and I hosted a great group of people in Bond Park, on natural trails and the greenway for about 6.25 miles.
This was my “strength-building” hike for the week, so I had an extra 20 lbs in my pack.
It was still a little bit icy, but most of the trails and greenways were no trouble at all – in fact, it got more difficult as the ice melted and the mud thawed.
Tuesday was more kickboxing and I was able to entice That Man and the puppy out to walk a few miles in the afternoon, because it was a balmy 50ish degrees!
Week 4 included adding more extra weight, so I carried at least an extra 15lbs on every hike – including the treadmill hikes.
Here are their smiling faces! (They promised not to sue me….)
Wednesday, I led a another group on one of my favorite MST section hikes at Falls Lake.
Officially, the section is ~ 9 miles from the Baptist Rd trailhead out to the Little Lick Creek Bridge and back.
It was a little windy and cold on the bridge and exposed boardwalk, so some folks held back in the shelter of the bridge for that section.
View from the top of the Little Lick Creek bridge on a windy wintery day.
We were protected from the wind and all got much warmer once we returned to the shelter of the woods.
Thursday was *sort of* a rest day for me, so I only did a few miles with a pack uphill on the treadmill, and some yoga.
Friday, was more kickboxing and a chilly 3 mile urban hike.
I kind of hate the gym – even my home gym – so I’m counting those indoor workouts this week as a personal win!
As a celebration of being half-way through my 8-week program, I bought 2 new pairs of hiking pants – after a friend told me my butt looked amazing in them…
What? Nothing wrong with being useful AND decorative 🙂
Looking forward to more Wintery weather this weekend…
Week 5 is next – with longer hikes, heavier weights, and more Winter weather!! It should be lots of fun!
And I don’t mean that sarcastically. Pretty sure…
TAKEAWAY LESSON: Reward yourself for hard work and celebrate your personal wins!
I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.
– – Awesome Training Week 3 got off to a great start with a 9ish mile Saturday morning hike hosted by my friend Heidi on the Mountains to Sea Trail, beginning from the Shinleaf parking lot at Falls Lake.
The Mountains to Sea Trail is blazed with a white circle.
This was a good hike with a good group – but the weather was a bit cold!
We started off briskly enough – and I had enough extra weight in my pack – that by the time we reached the midpoint, I was sweating through my jacket.
We started to go more slowly on the return, and I got chilled, so I sped up for warmth and finished a bit sooner than the group.
This puppy loves to snuggle!
It was a great way to start the day – and I felt good about snuggling in for the afternoon with That Man and Colleen (the prettiest puppy).
And then the week went to crap!!
You might think I’m kidding, but I’m not.
So far this year we’d been spared the legendary ice storms (and snow that turns to ice, which then turns into a bazillion car accidents), but last weekend the Snow Miser finally caught up with us on Sunday.
Here in the South, that ice can also turn into many power outages, and thankfully we never lost power throughout the bad weather.
The next day, Sunday, I had scheduled a favorite 9.3mi hike, another section of the MST, starting at the Baptist Rd Trailhead – but I had to cancel because the weather was just too bad.
Trees in the lake at the mid-point of the MST section hike from Baptist Rd trailhead.
Cold isn’t a problem if people bundle up, but driving to the trailhead can be treacherous, and I don’t want to ask anyone to come out in unsafe road conditions.
So, I had to disappoint the hikers signed up for Sunday, and contented myself with elevated treadmilling with a weighted pack.
I actually enjoy exercising in my home gym (if outdoors isn’t do-able) because I can watch a movie while I’m on the machine – but I would much rather be outside!
The forecast looked like our only outdoor opportunities would be maybe Tuesday and Wednesday, and then the rest of the week would have to be indoors again.
Monday the weather was still crap, too, so I did some kickboxing and weights.
Meanwhile I constantly refreshed my weather app, in hopes the forecast would get nice enough to post an outdoor hike!
My mania paid off and I was able to post a last-minute hike for Tuesday, and a few hardy souls joined me 🙂
We hiked 6 miles on the multi-use trail (a gravel/packed dirt road) from the Old Reedy Creek trailhead, across the old I-40 bridge, all the way to Warren Cemetery inside Umstead State Park.
Joggers on the old I-40 bridge that is part of the MUT into Umstead from Old Reedy Creek trailhead.
This is a good route when the trails may be too muddy or icy from recent rain and snow.
I used this for my weekly Strength-Building hike, and added some more weight to my pack – so I was at around 15-20 lbs per the hike training plan.
The next day, Wednesday, was a beautiful day, with highs in the 60’s (N Carolina is so weird) so we took advantage of the day with another long hike!
Big Lake at Umstead State Park.
A great group of hikers joined me at Umstead State Park, where we started off on the Company Mill Trail, and then took the MUT out to Big Lake and back – for a total of ~ 8 miles.
The weather was so beautiful that after I got cleaned up from that hike, I persuaded That Man and the puppy to join me for another 4 miles in Bond Park before sundown.
We were even able to have dinner at our favorite sidewalk cafe before it got too cold 🙂
Sundown at Bond Lake.
Thursday the weather had turned to rain and sleet, so I had to be content with Yoga and 1 hour (4 miles) at top incline with weights on the treadmill.
Encouragement in my home gym.
By Friday, the rain had frozen on the ground and some snow had fallen on top of it, soooo – kickboxing and weightlifting indoors – to avoid road traffic.
Good thing, because we had about 600 accidents locally due to icy roads!!
Altogether, a somewhat disappointing week for hiking outdoors. That said, we still managed to get some time in the sunshine – so it could’ve been worse.
Like next week. Next week the weather forecast is even crappier. 🙁
But it doesn’t matter – we’ll find a way to get some exercise anyway, and I guarantee we’ll feel better about everything when it’s done!
Meanwhile, there’s a jigsaw puzzle and wine with my name on it 🙂
Not so far, but it could happen Friday night!!
Okay are you ready for Week 4? It’s going to be intense. Here we go!
TAKEAWAY LESSON: Stick to your workout plan, even if the weather is crap and you don’t feel like it. You’ll feel better physically after you exercise, and you’ll be proud of yourself, too!
I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.
– – I began the second week of training on Monday, leading a great group of hikers on another 6.5 mile hike on the Company Mill trail inUmstead State Park.
Company Mill trail has the most elevation gain of any of the Park’s trails, and you especially feel it on the final hill at the end of the hike!
Millstone and plaque along the Company Mill Trail
I call that one the “you gotta be kidding me” hill.
Anyway, this time I hiked it with 10 extra lbs in my pack again. Yay 😐
Old gravestone alongside the MUT in Umstead State Park.
Tuesday, I did some weights and stuff at home, then joined my friend Lenore’s shorter hike (5-6mi hike) on the Multi-Use Trails in a different part of Umstead.
The MUT is a gravel/dirt road that has some mild elevation gain/loss but is pretty smooth.
The MUT is also usually pretty dry, even after heavy rains.
Visitors Center at Wilkerson Nature Preserve in Raleigh.
Wilkerson Nature Preserve
On Wednesday, I was supposed to kickbox, but I blew it off and instead just did my yoga and then joined my friend Heidi’s hike.
It was about 7-8 miles, starting with some of the trails in Wilkerson Nature Preserve, and then following the MST to Falls Lake Dam, where we turned around and came back to our starting place.
Hikers at Wilkerson Nature Preserve.
I joined this hike because I like those guys, and also I’d never been to Wilkerson Nature Preserve – and I’m always interested in trying out another local section of the MST.
There are a number of fun trails within the Preserve, especially designed for younger children, and also a playground.
One of the regular trails specifically links to the white-blazed Mountains to Sea Trail, which will lead you all the way to Falls Lake Dam (which is the beginning of the Falls Lake Trail.)
Turtle stepping stones at Wilkerson Nature Preserve.
Loblolly Trail to Schenk Forest
Thursday I led another group of hikers on an 8.5 mile hike, starting from the Loblolly trail in Umstead State Park, following it all the way and crossing over to the Schenk Forest and back.
You can create this longer-distance hike combo and several others starting from the Harrison Ave entrance to Umstead State Park. This is especially useful when you’re training locally for a longer-distance hiking trip.
Every hike this week (whether long or short) I’ve hiked with at least an extra 10 lbs in the pack, bumping it up on some of the shorter hikes to an 15 extra lbs.
I did this because I’m already in pretty good shape – and the training needs to work for me, too 🙂
Ferns line the Loblolly Trail in Schenk Forest.
Charities for Steps
Speaking of making my training count – another thing I did this week was sign up for a couple of charities that use my hiking miles to donate money to good causes.
Maybe you’d like to do it, too!
Biking on a raised boardwalk greenway in Cary.
St Jude’s Cycle for Charity
Heidi was doing the St Jude’s Cycle for Charity, and asked if I’d like to join.
I’ve been known to ride a bike, but mostly I move around on foot, so I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to do it.
So far, I’ve done 76 of the 200 miles.
But we found out that they allow hiking/running steps, too – so I joined up!
I use to use Wooftrax all the time (I did 860 miles for this one), but lost the app when I changed phones.
I just loaded it back up this week, and start the app- when I remember – on every hike.
WoofTrax’ Walk for a Dog (Android andiOS) app lets you raise money for your favorite animal organization while you walk your dog.
The app is funded by ads and sponsors, and the longer you walk, the more money you’ll raise for your charity.
HOW TO DO IT:
Download the Wooftrax app to your phone.
Submit your name and email address, then confirm your email address by clicking on a link sent to that address.
The app will then ask you to add your dog (or dogs), but you can also choose “Walk for Cassie” or add in a fake dog’s info — you don’t actually need a dog to use the app.
Hit “Start Walking,” and the app will track your steps, distance, and map your walk using GPS.
iPhone users can use the app on a treadmill or stationary bike, but Android users will need to get outside for the app to work.
Charity Miles gives to your favorite cause based on the miles you run, bike or hike.
Charity Miles
Charity Miles (Android and iOS), is a free app that rewards the charity of your choice for every mile you walk, run or bike. Corporate sponsors pledge up to $0.25 for each mile you log in the app.
The Charity Miles app features 37 participating charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, charity: water, and Habitat for Humanity.
HOW TO DO IT:
Download and install the app and sign up for a Charity Miles account.
Before each workout, open the app and pick the charity you want to help.
Select the type of activity you’re doing and start your workout.
When you’re finished with your workout, hit the stop button.
I haven’t used this one, but all the reviews say it’s great.
I use my hike miles for several charities at a time, like “double coupon” day 🙂
Hiking the burn on Bond Park’s Lake Trail.
Friday was just kickboxing and weights, and pleasant 4mi walk in the woods at Bond Park with That Man and the prettiest puppy Colleen to take advantage of some of the last warmish weather forecast this week.
This week I did a lot of my hikes with other people.
But lately I’ve found that if I’m not committed to meeting other people for a workout – whether I’m leading it or not – I’m more likely to let other things interfere and keep me from getting my exercise.
It may be because of ongoing pandemic stress, or colder weather – whatever it is, I’m fighting hard against giving in.
Hiking the MST on the Eno River.
Other people have told me they are having the same issues.
I think if you’re having trouble doing the exercise you’re “supposed to” be doing, you need to forget about all that, and seize any opportunity that seems more fun.
Whatever gets you moving is your best option!
TAKEAWAY LESSON: The right workout is one that you will do – so be ready to seize the opportunity to make your workouts fun!
The Fairy Footpath at Wilkerson Nature Preserve in Raleigh.
I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.
The holiday season is just now winding down, so I’ve started this week to focus on getting back to my usually pretty disciplined training routine.
That routine includes several hikes per week – which I’ll post on my Meetup, so you can go, too – along with weight training, cardio and of course stretching every day.
Over the next couple of weeks, along with more focused and increased physical training, I’ll also try to clean up my diet.
Domestic Cheese Tray – holiday food. So much cheese!
Specifically, now that the socially condoned Holiday eating extravagance is behind us, I’m working on getting back to my normal (pretty healthy) eating habits before Super Bowl Sunday.
And then my birthday is this week…
Throughout the holiday season – which for me starts in October and doesn’t end until mid January – I’ve been plagued by a super-abundance of cheese. So much cheese.
Special Cheese Tray Idea, c1964 | Superbowl snacks. More cheese.
Because of my asthma, I’ve adopted a “clean” diet ( you can read about my Anti-Asthma Diet here ) that focuses more on protein and veggies, and less on dairy and grains.
Fun fact: Cheese activates the same receptors in your brain as opioids. So, you CAN get addicted to cheese…
But, even past the hurdle of Christmas and New Year’s, we’ve got the Super Bowl and then Valentines Day to deal with….
Valentine’s Day Snack – Fruit & Cheese Heart Platter. Cheese again.
After Valentine’s Day, Easter is just a short hop away.
And you know what that means – jellybeans. I admit I’ve got a jellybean problem – I even tried to explain to That Man how jellybeans are actually vegetables.
He was not convinced. Neither was I, really.
Jellybeans are so small… nd they’re beans, right?
Clearly, I can’t be trusted, so no more jellybeans for me – I won’t even bring them in the house.
Except for my magic Sports Beans– which have saved my bacon (no! no bacon!) many times on the trail in the heat of summer.
They even have caffeine 🙂
And just get away from me with that cheese tray….
TAKEAWAY LESSON: Any diet begins in the grocery store!!
I hope you’ll find my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂 To see more of them go to my Training Log.
Or, your goal could be to complete an epic Bucket List hike on a planned (or dreamed of!) trip for the coming year.
If you’re looking for a way to get back into shape before Spring – even if you don’t have a big trip coming – this hike training plan could be just what you need!
Read more to learn how to set up a hike training plan for your own individual goals!
The Triple Crown trail loop is 35 miles of the best hiking in the Roanoke Valley and arguably some of the best overlooks in the entire state of Virginia.
Most of my time was spent hiking, but since I did two of the three Triple Crown hikes in the same day, I also had time to take a break from hiking and see some other things in the area.
Overlook at McAfee Knob on the Triple Crown section of the App Trail.
At that time, many venues were completely shut down or really restricted due to COVID regulations, but Beliveau Farm and Winery was open (though with safety measures) and I was still able to have a great visit!
Beliveau Farm is located in the Catawba Valley of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, just 12mi from downtown Blacksburg and 20mi from Salem.
They were also only a 30 minute scenic drive from my lodgings near the McAfee Knob trailhead.
The Farm’s hiking trails, scenic views and plenty of picnic areas made the drive well worth while – and the wine was pretty good, too 🙂
Unless you’ve been hiding out in the backwoods off the grid somewhere – which might actually happen with some of you guys! – you’ve probably heard of Amazon Prime and Prime Day.
If you haven’t heard of it, here’s everything you need to know about Amazon Prime Day 2021, June 21-22!
Amazon – the huge online store that sells everything on Earth and delivers it right to your front door – has a humongous sale every year that’s called Prime Day.
The annual Prime Day online shopping event is a major opportunity to nab some major bargains on everything they sell online!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through my website (at no cost to the purchaser), and also get the inside skinny on sales and such.
The Prime Day sale is usually held each year in the Summer – to help reduce the cost of all of those back to school items.
But you need to be a Prime Member to get the savings. Click the banner below for your free 30-day Trial:
Products all across the Amazon site are discounted for Prime members already, and new product discounts will be added every day.
This year Prime Day is June 21-22
I’m not a fan of conspicuous consumption, but everyone needs things for their home, their kids – and of course outdoor gear – and I am a big fan of getting quality items that you need at the best possible price!
If you or your children are asthmatic, you’ve probably spent a lot of time looking for the best medicine for your asthma.
Or maybe looking for better asthma treatments, if you’ve already been prescribed something.
The Ledge trail at Pilot Mountain
If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know that I’ve had asthma and have been fighting it my whole life, with both medical and non-medical tools.
In the U.S., asthma affects more than 25 million people.
There is no cure, but some people do “grow out” of it (meaning you don’t have obvious symptoms), and medical drugs are available that treat the symptoms for those that have them.
I didn’t grow out of it, and from childhood through young adulthood, my parents tried all available medical options to make my illness better.
But in spite of allergy shots and prescribed inhalers and pills, my asthma got worse every year.
Pine pollen is a huge problem in the South
Finally, as a young adult, I had an epic attack that led to complete respiratory failure and several days unconscious on a ventilator.
When I woke up, the doctors just told me to take more medicine and stay in a controlled environment.
That’s when I became very pro-active in my search for better treatments and lifestyle choices to reduce my asthma symptoms and prevent future severe attacks.
Author happily viewing Bryce Canyon for the first time!
I’ve had some success 🙂
In this post I tell you about the prescribed medical options available now, and the ones I’ve used – and mostly still use – that appear to help my chronic asthma.
For inspiration I’m also sharing photos of beautiful places I’ve been able to hike, without any trouble breathing!
Monday was my first posted hike, and I hosted a great group of people in Bond Park, on natural trails and the greenway for about 6.25 miles.
