Remembering why I do this.

So today was supposed to be a mileage training day. Imagine my surprise this morning when my boo offers to come with me. I was ecstatic that he WANTED to go, but a part of me wanted to get my mileage training in. I decided it was way more important to spend quality time with my boo and my hounds then to squeeze in a training day. So off we went to do the 5 mile loop at Crowders. I guess I was getting so focused on increasing my miles that I wasn't taking the time to enjoy the hiking. When I would do the training hikes, I usually kept my head down and my thoughts on my breathing, my muscles tension, the time, my heart rate, and making my miles. Well today, I took it slow and easy. I took in the amazing color changes in the leaves, I awed at the way the sun peaked through the trees making the leaves glow, I took a moment to enjoy the outlooks on the way up the mountain that I normally blaze by in a race with myself to get to the top of the mountain, I felt my heart swell with love and pride as I watched my boo and my dogs scramble up the rocks to catch me, and I had reconnected with my boo. I was at peace, calm, and happy. It's so easy to get focused on a goal, that you lose track of the purpose. Today I was reminded of why I started doing this in the first place and I have my boo to thank for that. I Love you Boo.

Mileage Training

On Sun. 10/28 I had set up a training meeting with a fellow hiker at a local mountain. We are trying to increase our mileage to get us up into the 15 mile range. Well after the Saturday I had, (hiking 9 miles) I didn't think my body could get me through another long hike. I warned my training partner that I was soar from my hike the previous day, but would do the best that I could in keeping up with her. We agreed to do the first 3 mile loop and see where we both were. It was tough, but we got through it and I felt like I could do the next 5 mile loop. Imagine my surprise when I got a second wind and started running a bit of the trail in the last 2 miles. After we were done, I swear I thought I could of done the 3 mile loop again. I think what I was experiencing was a hiking high. I just felt a burst of energy and I caught myself grinning from ear to ear, but I'm not sure if its was from finishing the strenuous hike or if it was from the hiking high. Anyways, I'm training again next Sun. so I will see if it happens again. The things our bodies can do really amaze me.

I kept up! Sort of....

On Sat. 10/27 I went on a hike with a group of people whom I consider exceptional hikers. We warmed up with a quick 2 mile hike with a steep downhill descent into a gorge to see a beautiful water fall. 1 mile down, 1 mile up. We then went to do the Ravencliff Falls loop hike that took us to the base of a different fall, then up above the top of the fall. According to the ranger, the loop was 9 miles, according my group leader, the loop was 5 miles. After doing the hike, I'm leaning towards the ranger, it was closer to 9 miles. It was a 2000 ft. descent to the foot of the falls, then a 2000 foot ascent to the top of the falls. Mind you, these falls are considered the biggest falls in our region. I was throughly impressed that I was able to keep up with the strongest hikers on the descent, running in some spots of the trail with them. After crossing a wire bridge, the climb began, and boy was it a climb! I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I had to slow down and hike with the rest of the group, (but I did finish up 1st in the regular group.) My confidence as a hiker is really soaring and I am motivated to get to the level of the strong hikers I admire.