13 Miles on the AT

I'm far enough behind in my blogging that I'll just hit the highlights when I catch a few minutes here and there.

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So last weekend was hot and humid. I thought it would be fun to do my long run on the AT instead of the road so I'd have a little shade. [I was supposed to be in southern MD, but something came up that I needed to be home for which was cool because it was hotter and more humid in SoMD.]

Because I don't want to be traipsing around in the woods all by myself, I asked Jake to hike while I was running.  My plan was to go 3.5 miles northeast and back to the parking lot. Then 3.5 miles southwest and back for a total of 14 miles. It was seriously humid, and I didn't bring enough water so I cut it short to 13 miles.

I figured 13 trail miles are just as good as 14 road miles since the time on my feet was about 3 hours. I walked the last 2 miles with Jake. It was his birthday so we enjoyed some uninterrupted mom/son time.

the view from White Rock

~3.5 miles from Gathland headed northeast

On my first leg, I was met by a group of runners and darn if one of them wasn't Abbi from Higher Miles. [insert It's a Small World chorus here] 

Of course I didn't fully make the connection until the group had all passed. I hoped to run into her again on their return trip but they were running a point to point in prep for the JFK50. I'm going to try to join them on a future training run which will be very fun.

I sweat a.l.o.t.

ick

It wasn't a bad run. These trails are definitely much less technical than the ones I've been running in Gambrill with my running club so it was a nice change in that regard.

I did learn something new... the fun, neon yellow shorts my sister-in-law gave me for my birthday become SEETHROUGH when you sweat excessively [like I do]. So I'm thankful for the beige undies I had on that day and that there weren't many people on the trails that morning.

It's good to have things like that happen at least occasionally because it keeps me humble. ha!

I love looking at the elevation data from my trail runs. Makes me glad I don't live near the Rockies, but does make me wish I lived somewhere a little flatter.