Running With Pepper

Due to the opressive heat and humidity, I decided to run on the treadmill after working out at the gym. I HATE running on treadmills, but didn't want to run in the nasty heat. Ran 6.5 miles in 60:01. Felt good and I imagine that I could have run further/faster if I was actually outside. Good start to the week where I will hopefully have Friday off. Hmmmm...maybe I'll head out to hike Old Rag on Friday or Saturday.

(Brooks Infinitis 140.7 miles)

Ran in the morning to try and stay away from the opressive heat and humidity we're expecting today. It was still hot and humid, but much more manageable than 100 degrees + 100% humidity. I don't know if I just don't like running at 4:35 in the morning, or if I just don't like the humidity like it is right now. Either way, I didn't feel all that good during the run and just couldn't get comfortable. Ended up finishing 4 miles in 32:51. Depending on the weather situation, I may do another 4-5 tonight to round out an otherwise dull day. Looking forward to taking friday off from work if they will let me... :)

(Brooks Infinitis 144.7 miles)

Ran with the boss today right before lunch and it was HOT outside. Temp was right around 95 and the heat index raised it to 105. It was extremely humid and I look forward to the humidity going away later tonight. Ran 5 miles in 41:38 and felt pretty good because I slept like the dead last night. Maybe it was because I was so exhausted when I went to bed at 10pm. Either way, I'm happy that I finished as I'm meeting one of my buddies from Grad school (In town for a conference) after work to hang out. I would say, poor Pepper but he's hanging out at daycare today (http://www.dogdaycare.com/tysonscorner/webcams.php). He's the sleek black and tan doggie with the tail to curls in a C.  Well...back to reality and the joys of work here in steamy Virginia.

(Brooks Infinitis 149.7 miles)

Ran before lunch while I was at work today. The heat is still there, as it was about 83 degrees, but the humidity is all but gone. It's so much easier to run when you're not running in soup. Ran 5 miles on a pretty hilly course (Custis Trail), taking the first half to warm up. During the second half, I was moving pretty well and finished in 38:11. I felt really good and could have gone further but don't want to push is as I continue my mileage building. Still planning on heading out to Old Rag on Saturday and maybe Robertson Mountain afterward (Thanks Lucia!). It looks like it's going to be a solo hike as I can't seem to find anyone to go, and Pepper isn't allowed out ther according to the hiking book I have. Doggie Discrimination! Well...back to work...

(Brooks Infinitis 154.7 miles)

Decided to run from work down to the C&O Canal trail again. Ran from the office to mile marker three meeting up with Lucia (yes, you do have a better marathon PR than I do) at the Key Bridge in Georgetown and then returned to the office. Weather was in the mid-upper 80s but humidity wasn't a factor like it was earlier in the week. Overall, both the run and the company were great! It's nice to finally meet another blogger in person for a run. I finished approximately 6.5 miles in 54:35. Good day for a run.

(Brooks Infinitis 161.2 miles)

No running today as it was hiking day! Got up early and made it out to Old Rag in the Shenandoah Valley around 7:15. Hiked .8 miles up to the ridge trail start point and headed out from there. Took the ridge trail, which I realized was pretty intense up to the summit, climbing up the bolders, crevices, etc. to finally get there. Made it up the 3.5 mile trek in about 2 hours. Spent about 45min - 1 hour at the top just enjoying nature. It was something I really just needed to do with everything that's going on with me at this point. Quite calming and it soothed my soul. Set out contining on the trail down the mountain and made it back in approximately 1.5 more hours. During the trek back, I was startled by some noise in the woods, looked over, and there was a black bear that was probably 400-500 lbs. I was quite startled and moved a little quicked along the trail to distance myself from the bear. After I reached the trailhead, I continued back down the access road to the overflow parking lot and noticed several people standing around looking at one side of the woods. Wow....about 15 feet away from me was another black bear..a little smaller. I watched it from a safer distance and then we saw 2 little bear cubs following her through the woods. They actually moved out of the woods, crossed the road (I got a great picture), and headed out in another direction. It was my first encounter with a black bear in the wild, and after I figured out that they weren't going to hurt me, it was pretty cool.

Basically, the entire day was great as I finished my hike well before noon. I'm already sore from climbing, jumping, pulling myself all over the place, so that's good. It was probably a great mix-up workout from the regular running and going to the gym. Now...the next hike I'm planning is out in the Shenandoah and it's called the Bluff Trail/AT Loop. I'll check the schedule, but I'd like to do it sooner than later. Well...I'm sore and Pepper needs another walk. He missed me today but would have gone crazy if he saw the bear.