Seen on the run (March 31, 2018)

Another challenging run on the Blue Ridge Marathon course, but there was sunshine and a lot of spring color to keep me happy.

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Seen on the run (March 22, 2018)

I started my run feeling pretty grumpy. There was a lot of black ice. I actually got so frustrated that I turned around after about a quarter mile, thinking I’d go to the gym and run on the treadmill. But I called the gym and got a voice recording saying they were closed due to inclement weather. So I continued tiptoeing across the ice and getting annoyed with all the traffic.

Then I came across this guy.

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For some reason the miniature snowman on the bench made me smile. I stopped to take a picture, looked up and realized that it was turning out to be a really beautiful day.

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Seen on the run (March 16, 2018)

IMG_20180316_120808034This has been a rough winter for me. The Monticello trail changed their hours, so I can no longer run there before work. That means I’m stuck running around town. Not my favorite to begin with. Add in the darkness and sub-freezing temperatures and the joy has pretty much been sucked out of my weekday morning runs.

The time change this week just made everything worse. I was just starting to be able to turn my headlamp off partway through my run. Now I’m back in the dark. Which is bad enough. But what is with this weather? Why is it below freezing in March??

Anyway, I got out there for a ten mile run on Tuesday. I was wearing mittens and my hands were still numb when I finished. Wednesday I made it out to the 5:30 a.m. track workout. I don’t actually do the workout. I’ve just found it’s easier to get my butt out there in the winter if I know other people will be there. They always do a two mile warm up, so I do that with the group, then just head out on my own. By Thursday morning I was over it. I finished an entire pot of coffee before I reluctantly donned my running clothes and headed out the door. It was even darker and colder than I thought it would be. I started walking up the hill, but just couldn’t do it. I turned around and went back to the house. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever done that.

I don’t usually run on Friday, but I’m glad I switched days. I didn’t have to work this morning, so I had time to wait until the sun was up and to drive to some nice trails. Much better for the soul.

 

Ragged Mountain Natural Area

Distance: 7+ miles (13 proposed)
Walking: yes
Running: yes (on shared use trails only)
Biking: yes (on shared use trails only) This has been a controversial issue.
Dogs: no
Kid-friendly: yes! You can turn the hike into a scavenger hunt by looking for the wooden statues along the way. The floating bridge is kind of fun, too.
Wheelchair/stroller accessible: no

 

screenshot-2018-02-26-at-10-13-49-am.pngFor directions and more information, click here.