A Thank You Letter to Greenville, SC

Dear Greenville,

Thank you for making my days a little bit brighter after a week that was awful personally and professionally. Thank you for welcoming me to your beautiful city and for letting me get outside in nature. Thank you for having good food and a kickass hot yoga studio. I will be back.

With love and gratitude,

Allie


Last Sunday I drove up to Greenville, SC from Atlanta because I was presenting at a conference. The week prior, I had to cancel yet another vacation, been forced to work on my days off, and my relationship hit the skids for what is probably for good this time. I have a stressful job because I like my job and enjoy solving problems. I don't want a stressful boyfriend because I don't like stressful boyfriends and the way he treats me has been my problem. A two and a half hour drive is a good time to do some self-reflection. I ended up listening to Barbell Shrugged instead. Is anyone else frustrated by the Shrugged Collective podcast channel? What if I only want to listen to certain podcasts? Can I filter for them? Or do I have to seriously sit their and add only Barbell Shrugged to my queue so I don't drive someone off the road trying to find the good stuff?

Here are some highlights from the trip.

The Crossings of Colonie

Guys, I found the coolest park full of running paths on Wednesday morning. I flew up to Albany Tuesday night for yet another AmeriCorps program director training and they have us staying at the Radisson on Wolf Road. The Crossings Park is a 130-acre public park in Colonie, which I believe is a suburb of Albany. Fun fact - I spent two years of my life researching the Capitol District and Western New York when I did new site development for Teach For America, and I randomly know the zip codes of a bunch of suburbs. I also know that you're never supposed to say Upstate New York unless you want to offend someone who might give you money.

My plan was to run 2 miles and then figure out how to get back to the main road so I could stop at Dunkin Donuts for my 32 oz iced coffee. When I don't want to get up and run, I find it helpful to build in a fix for my iced coffee addiction and then I walk back caffeinated and happy. The weather was beautiful, i.e. sunny and cool, and the park had so many trails that I was able to complete an easy 5 mile run. I was pretty pleased with myself even if I did get lost in the woods.

I didn't bring my phone because I am the worst blogger on the interwebs. I fully intended to get back to take some photos but it rained yesterday and we had a 7 AM start time today (like what in the actual fuck?) so y'all don't get any photos of this idyllic place. Maybe it will motivate you to go check it out yourself the next time you're in Albany.

But here is the front of the hotel so you can see that the trees are changing colors!

Sunday Funday: Let's Pack as Much Fun Into Today as Possible

This morning I was in my car by 7:45 AM on my way to the Greenbelt Trail to meet my running friend Michael for a quick run. We were supposed to do the full 15ish mile loop yesterday but there was a bit of a miscommunication. Since I absolutely refuse to miss Oly Sunday if I am on Long Island, I had exactly one hour to run and not a minute more.

It was a warm 36 degrees this morning so I wore compression calves sleeves and compression arm sleeves underneath leggings, a tech long-sleeved shirt, and my winter running jacket. I also wore gloves and a hat.

As you can see, I am thrilled to be freezing my ass off in my car. 

Athletic Supporters

"If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter." - Principal McGee, Grease

The best part of Rock The Ridge was my wonderful friends coming to see me. Fifty miles was a very daunting distance for me (and still is to be honest) and knowing that people I care about bothered to come to New Paltz was incredibly motivating.

I was running along mile twenty when I saw my friend and spinning instructor Tripp Doherty and his lady friend Janene. Tripp had told me that he would come up and ride the course on the day of the race, but to be honest, I didn't really believe it. It meant so, so much to me to see them both and I felt very loved. Tripp is a big inspiration in my life. Spending time with him has motivated me to push myself farther and harder than I had ever imagined. He also makes me want to be my best self. After one spin class where Tripp spoke about forgiveness, I ended a fight between my aunt and me that had become a major family argument. I don't know how many workout classes you have gone to that have changed the way you think and act, but I've been blessed to go to quite a few since Tripp started teaching at my local Equinox in 2007.

Tripp and me at the waterfall.
Photo courtesy of Janene

I met running friends at mile 19.4, named Kelly and Tommy. We stayed together for the rest of the race, but more about them later. Tripp and Janene rode their bikes along with us for much of the course. I really appreciated when they rode ahead and took awesome photographs for us.

photo courtesy of Janene

I cannot thank my friends Christina, Audrey, and Alyssa enough for coming up to watch me finish. Not only did I underestimate my finish time by over an hour and a half, forcing them to wait around, they missed the Kentucky Derby to watch me cross the line. They made me the beautiful banner you see below and came armed with yellow Gatorade and a sandwich. They also drove my car back to Westchester and set up the shower so I could wash the grime off my body. After so many hours on your feet, simple things like finding soap is a lot more difficult than you would imagine. These are real friends and I am so lucky to have them.

Running can be a pretty solitary sport but I have found trail running to be a community effort. Maybe it's the added distance, being surrounded by nature, or the type of people drawn to these kinds of events. I am so thankful for my wonderful friends traveling to share this special day with me.

Casual Day in Marin

I was recently in San Francisco for work. Over the course of a week, I viewed more PowerPoint presentations than I can count, drank too much, angered my friends, and managed NOT to get fired. All in all, successful trip.

The running partner/neighbor who used to live across the street from me and motivate me to drag my ass around Central Park has moved back to California. I'd say boo but he has a much sicker set up out there. Kudos to you bud.

We made plans to run some trail in Marin on the Saturday after my work obligations ended.

Check out that awesome color-coordination.

For some reason, I own a lot of turquoise and neon yellow running apparel. I was so set with socks that matched my shorts and sports bra and sneakers that matched my pullover. This is gear from different companies mind you. I got those shoes for free from Brooks for being a wear tester, but you can buy a pair here.

I was effing starving so I went to Mel's Drive-In to house a meat lover's breakfast.

My former running partner and his buddy showed up and picked me up. We drove out to Marin.

parking lot for the trail

entrance to the trail

in a tree!

Thankfully my former neighbor knows that photographs are important for the blog and offers to take them or be in them.

look at that view

I'm entertaining running the Dipsea Race one day. I almost fell during this short portion so I'm not sure how wise that idea is.

The run was awesome. It was beautiful and mostly downhill. I felt so free just throwing myself into the run and enjoying the fresh air and the woods, and the promise of the ocean in a few short miles.

We met back up with our buddy who was meeting us with the car at the other side. Then we drove to the Pelican Inn to drink wine and eat cheese. 

all runs end at the bar

hipster heaven

Trail Running with Friends

Peeing in the woods is less fun in 20 degree weather.

This morning I met up with some folks at the entrance to the Greenbelt Trail in Woodbury near the Stop and Shop. After I posted on Tripp's wall saying that I had signed up for the 50 mile race, Michael reached out to me to join the weekly trail run. It was so nice to be invited to make new friends. I'm not being facetious; I'm rarely invited to do something I really enjoy with people I don't know who also enjoy doing the same things. I tend to get invited to drink with people I already know and don't really like.

photo courtesy of Michael

The trail was beautiful today and the weather was great - sunny and in the 20s. Some of the group planned on doing a 5 mile loop. Michael was running to Cold Spring Harbor and Stacey said she wasn't sure if she'd run the whole thing. I told myself that I'd run as far as Stacey was going to run because my knee started to act up.

Everyone was really friendly and I really enjoyed running in the group before the 5 mile folks turned back. Stacey was much faster than me (and not stopping to take photos) so after she checked to make sure I knew the way, she went on ahead. She schooled me.

The trail was gorgeous with the snow. It was also slippery. I walked when it was particularly steep or icy. I managed to stay on my feet except for when I got a little lost and slipped on the ice. Every time I run the Greenbelt, I get confused at the same point. Today I also managed to run an extra part of the trail because I stopped looking for markers. In my defense, the trail markers for runners are white and snow is also white.

I ran 9.5 miles in 1:59:27 including my pit stops, photo ops, and walking up hills and over roots. Not too bad but I need to spend a lot more time on the trails to get ready for Rock The Ridge. My left big toe started to hurt around mile 6 and my knees feel a little old ladyish now. I wore my La Sportiva Wildcats (I have the orange pair) because I think they provide more cushioning than my Adrenaline ASRs.

When I got back to my car, Stacey was just returning with Dunkin Donuts hot chocolate. She is my absolute favorite person today.

Raising Money for Rock The Ridge

Yesterday I announced my races for 2013 and I signed up for the Caumsett 50K and Rock The Ridge 50 Mile Challenge. They are bought and paid for.

Rock The Ridge is a fifty mile endurance challenge in the Mohonk Preserve in New Paltz, New York. I have 24 hours to do it, but my goal is 15 hours or less. Yes, I just stated a goal for a 50 mile race.

In addition to the $150 registration fee I paid, I need to raise $250 for the Mohonk Preserve. Last night three very generous people donated a combined $90. I am beyond thrilled! I greatly appreciate their generosity and I'm really touched by their support.

Training has officially started and it's time to ramp up my miles. This race feels real now that people are donating their hard earned money for me to do it.

Please considering donating.

ASR9s Drop Just in Time for August Trail Running*

On Friday, Olivia from Lovely At Your Side asked, "Allie, which brand of sneakers (in a moderate price range) do you recommend for running? My New Balance's broke (for the second time in my life!), and I'd like to not have that happen again! Thanks, girl!"

I wear Brooks running shoes and I am currently wearing Adrenaline 11s and Ghosts 4s for road. There's a sale going on right now so if you have the right sized feet, go snap up some discount sneakers!

I'm also a Brooks wear tester. The ASR 9s finally hit the website almost a year after I got my first pair in the mail. I'll let you in on a secret. They're already designing the 10s. I have wear tested two pairs of ASR 9s and I like them. I've run a trail race in them, completed a 20 mile road and trail long run in them, and sometimes wear them for road runs if it's raining. The pairs I tested were a lot more blue than black, but I am a fan of the finished product. If you wear Adrenalines for road and you are looking for a hybrid shoe, I definitely recommend these.

If you own the new ASR 9s or if you are an ASR 8 wearer, I'd love to pick your brain on how they handle technical trail.

*Not as exciting as the Air Jordan 7 Olympic that dropped last Saturday. There was a line around the block at Foot Locker in Herald Square.

Tri-Terrain Independence Run

I'm finally home! (And by home, I mean at my parents' house, duh.) We drove from Independence, Iowa to Chicago, and got in early for our flight... which was delayed. Uh oh. We spent twelve hours en route and about four of those at the Chicago-O'Hare airport.

I woke up around 7:30 to get in a short run before we left for Chicago.
Distance: 3.02 miles
Time: 29:28

1	10:38.7
2	09:24.2
3	09:10.6
0.02	00:15.1

Super conveniently, my grandmother lives right near a middle school that has a trail and a track. Hence today's title: I ran on road, trail, and track and I only ran 3 miles!

Liberty Trail

I distinctly remember the Liberty Trail being longer as a child. One reason might be that I have distorted childhood memories, or the trail has become overgrown and the "path" I imagined I saw through the fallen tree limbs was real. I'm leaning towards the latter.

The bridge was slick but I managed not to slip.

This is my attempt at artistic photography. I was actually really tempted to run down into these people's yard and play with tire swing.

Eventually I ran out of trail, so I turned back and headed over to the West Side School's track. 

Go Mustangs!

I ran around it three times but I was more focused on photo opportunities and the waffles my grandma was going to make for breakfast than my workout.

Does my face look fat?

I found some prairie grasses growing at the school. Obviously this lead me to crouch down next to them and take pictures of myself. Sometimes I think I need help. Like honestly, imagine you are a middle-school aged child headed over to your school's track or playground, and you catch sight of this whacked out 25 year-old in spandex pants hiding in the prairie grass taking pictures of herself.

Where's that wascally wabbit?

Buchanan County has the Prairies to Schools program. To learn more about this program, go here. I promise no prairie grasses were damaged in my photo shoot.

I'm Too Young For This

This morning I woke up, energized for my trail run, ready to take on the world, when I saw it. I was aggressively brushing my teeth (as usual), telling myself how great I look, when my eyes zeroed in on the most frightening thing I've seen in the mirror since I noticed the broken blood vessel beneath my right eye after three years of living the life in college. Smack dab in the middle of my forehead, sticking straight into the air, is my first grey hair. And by grey hair, I mean a white, wiry, somewhat shiny piece of hair.

WTF?! I'm only twenty-five!

Needless to say, I am horrified.

White hairs, and getting old for that matter, are no excuse to give up on trail-running, so I hopped in Petunia and drove to the Greenbelt Trail. Brooks has sent me another pair of trail shoes to test wear, and I did a nice 4 mile run. There was a lot of walking in my run. I'm not sure if it's because I ran a marathon a week ago or because I hadn't eaten breakfast, but running up those hills was effing tough.

Thank goodness you can't see the grey hair..

I was definitely overdressed. I assumed that it would be cold on the trail because it was cold in my parents' house, so I wore C9 running tights, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a sweatshirt. I could've worn a tech t-shirt and been fine. Has anyone else been thrown off by this wonky November weather?

My favorite part of the trail.

I had a half comp day today and needed to be back in NYC to work from my apartment at 1 PM. I think I got more done, and worked longer hours, working a "half day" from my princess desk than I ever do at the office. Perhaps it has something to do with working in my underwear... or the lack of noisy distractions.

The more time I spend working in the "real-world" I find that I did my best work in college library conditions.

I didn't do this, but these are the 34 year-old's and my initials.

Felix Neck

In celebration of my new job, yes my new job!, I went to Martha's Vineyard this week to visit a boy. Who doesn't like to celebrate their career accomplishments with male companionship and ginger beer? Sadly, it rained the entire time. Actually that is a lie - it stopped raining for one whole hour, but I managed to spend that time at the beach.

Vacations are no excuse to stop running entirely. I packed my gear and tried to convince that boy to join me. He is a fair weather runner and declined. I've spent the summer reading these semi-awful Martha's Vineyard Mystery books by Phillip Craig and recognized Felix Neck from his stories. Fortunately for me, I was staying near Felix Neck and had the opportunity to explore the trails.

I wasn't exactly sure where I was going but I certainly enjoyed myself. It got pretty muddy and I wished I had packed my all-terrain sneakers instead of my pretty, white Brooks Adrenaline 11s. I stopped to take a picture on a footbridge/check my mileage on my phone.

 I found a body of water! I think it is Sengekontacket Pond but I'm not sure. I do know that I took the Shad Trail to find it. I turned around and continued on, hoping to find some more trail markers. Thankfully I did.

I could have done a lot more exploring, but my phone was dying and I told the boy to come find me if I wasn't back in an hour and twenty minutes. I return in fifty-nine, but if I had stayed out and really gotten into a groove, I would've been unreachable and I didn't tell him I was going trail running. Felix Neck is beautiful, with well-maintained trails. I highly recommend it for any runners who will be on Martha's Vineyard. To print a copy of the trail maps, click here.

1/2 Road + 1/2 Trail = 20 Miles

Many of the best things in life are half and half: Arnold Palmers (half iced tea and half lemonade), vodka sodas (1/2 vodka, 1/2 soda), me (half super-pale English, half awesomely-tan Hispanic). Add road to trail runs to this list.

I've been wear-testing a pair of shoes I can't discuss, and on Friday I received an email saying the final survey is almost due. Shnikes! I realize that I haven't worn them nearly enough and that I will have to do some serious running in them. The shoes are designed to handle trail and road, so I decided to run to the trail.

I left my house and ran the 5.5 miles to the entrance to the Greenbelt Trail in Cold Spring Harbor. I remembered when this felt like the longest run a few weeks ago, but that might have had something to do with the debilitating heatwave. Today it felt like nothing. I would tell you all about the shoes, but I cannot, but I will tell you that my feet felt awesome on the road. My wrist hurt like a bitch though. It hasn't been bothering me, but I chose to run with two 1 litre water bottles today, and after a mile my right wrist was having none of it. Still, I soldiered on because I know how thirsty I get.

I'm really glad I made half of this week's long run a trail run. I sandwiched the trail portion between two road runs, allowing my legs a reprieve from the pavement and my mind a reprieve from the monotony of familiar surroundings and avoiding cars. I like running, but I love trail running. My head is so much more into it as I make decisions regarding the terrain. I can think but I can't zone out. I ran 10.5 miles of trail. I wanted to do a 25K in there but the trail was closed at Whitney Lane because of storm damage. The trail I did run looked very different post-Irene. Some trees were down, but much of the underbrush is now missing and lots of sand has appeared. Portions are much easier to run, and others are missing so much soil you have to walk to get to the next wooden beam. I went farther into the trail than I have on other runs this summer, finally returning to the grassy field near Stillwell. I did a little exploring on the mountain biking blue trail, but didn't want to stray too far lest I get lost.

I exited the Greenbelt and completed 16 miles. I needed four more to finish my long run and decided to run into Huntington. I added some distance by running down a bunch of side roads, and then ran east on New York Avenue. I didn't realize all the different things that are out there, including Nader's Fish on the Run. I was so tempted to walk in and get fried seafood but I know from experience that eating post-long run usually ends up with me throwing up. I can eat during the run, but after not so much.

I had one mile to go when this woman walks out of a building and starts yelling ma'am and jogging after me. I thought maybe I had dropped something, but realized I hadn't, and then she starts asking me if I know where some medical building is. I told her I didn't live in Huntington and she got all huffy. At first I felt a little bad about being so short with her, but then I decided I wasn't sorry. Out of all the people walking around and driving in their cars, she decided to chase down a sweaty runner who was clearly doing something to ask a question that could easily be answered by a smartphone.

Why do people feel so compelled to stop runners? My friend Rifle was stopped during a timed run by a man wanting to know why she runs so much, and not because he was interested in taking up the sport. I was stopped during a tempo run by an idiot claiming he could give me a ticket for going so fast. If you want to know about running, ask us when are finished, gasping for breath and chugging water. No really, that's the time I feel best about running.

I digress. I needed 0.6 of a mile to finish, so I circled back around and ran to Heckscher Park. I had no idea that it was pretty in there. I normally stay to the side closest to 25A, but there is a lovely duck pond on the opposite side. The run took me over four hours, but the extra time was worth it for the trail.

Planting Fields Arboretum Woodland Trails

Today I decided to run over to the Planting Fields Arboretum. I haven't been there in years, but I used to volunteer there and it's absolutely beautiful. The last time I tried to run up there (and this was like five years ago) there was some misunderstanding about entrance fees and I didn't have any cash on me. To avoid this nonsense again I looked up their website before I left. That's when I found this map. Five miles of trails and I don't even have to get into the car?

I ran the three miles from my parents' house over to the arboretum on the road. The very nice man at the gate said runners do not have to pay the $8 car entrance fee (just as I had thought!) and I ran over to Coe Hall. I used to be a tour guide at this Tudor-style mansion. You're jealous, I know.

Obviously I neglected to bring the map I had found, but I ran along different paths (and through some grass) until I saw a marked entrance for the Beech Path trail. The Beech Path connects to the Oak Trail. Very pleasant running and not too many technical obstacles. At one point I got a little nervous that I was going to get lost so I pulled out my phone and brought up the map. This is why you should run with a smartphone if you're going to run alone. I realized I was quite close to the Boundary Road and kept going.

Once I exited the trail, I assumed that I was back on one of the arboretum's many lawns. That's when I saw a building that looked vaguely familiar. Then I realized I was standing behind a driving range. You can see on the Mill River Country Club marked on the trail map. Yeah, my family used to be members there. (Apparently we could no longer justify a full club membership so that I could eat a salad by the pool three times a year.) Now there I was in sweaty spandex covered in dirt. I waved to the staff and hightailed it down the driveway, back to the road, and back to my house.

This brings me to my next point - what shoes do you wear fo a multi-terrain run? I wore my Brooks Adrenaline 11s today. Sure, I would've preferred my trail sneakers on the trail but I was on the trail for less than a mile; I spent over 5 on roads. If I was planning on running all of the trails, I might suck it up and wear my trail shoes on the road. I've done it before and it's really not so bad. That's why Salomon created the XR Crossmax. One shoe from door to trail!

I covet these shoes. Size 8.5 please.

Preparation for Saturday's Trail Race

I invited my friend T to come out to Long Island for some trail running before our big race on Saturday. The Huntington line leaves from Penn Station (not the most convenient for us Eastsiders) and delivers you in Syosset without any transfers (if you read the schedule correctly). I picked T up at 8:46 AM and we were off to the Greenbelt Trail head in Cold Spring Harbor.

We ran to Stillwell Lane and back, which is five miles total. We're running the Mahlon Mayhem 12.5 K on Saturday (7.78 miles), so this should help prepare us. My goal is to finish the race in 1 hour 20 minutes. I haven't seen the course, so this might be unrealistic, but right now I'm thinking it's an ambitious yet attainable goal.

When you invite someone to Long Island in the summer you have to bring them to the beach. T and I completed our day with some quality PTH (peak tanning hours) at TOBAY followed by dinner at Point Lookout Clam Bar.

Monday Morning on the Greenbelt Trail

Today I returned to the Greenbelt Trail, home of the Greenbelt Trail 50K that kicked my ass last May. I have a sick pair of La Sportiva trail running shoes and two working legs, so it was high time I got back out there.

The Greenbelt Trail

I drove east to Cold Spring Habor this morning and parked by the library. You can access the northern part of the trail from the parking lot that is located on the right side of 25A. After a quick climb, you are overlooking the harbor.

You can see the view of Cold Spring Harbor

The trail heads south and goes to Massapequa. It is cut into sections by different major roads. I decided to the run the portion that goes to Route 108 because it only required me to cross Lawrence Hill Road. I wasn't in the mood to become roadkill this Monday morning.

Nike+ GPS map of my route

Trail running is so different from road running. It takes focus to navigate the tree roots and rocks while ascending and descending along the paths. You have to be aware of where you are going and mindful of the white blazes that mark the trail. It's peaceful and difficult. I was winded after the initial climb, but I soon found my rhythm. I pushed myself today, but I was also sensible. I was surprised by how easily I got back into running the trail even though I hadn't been there in two months. I guess eight solid hours will really acquaint you with an area.

The white blaze that indicates the trail on the right

I attached my Nike+ chip to my trail shoes and tracked my run. I didn't realize that locking the app and then taking pictures would pause the run, so part of my run is missing, but I followed the same trail back. Overall, my run should be about 3.78 miles, and it took me an hour. I can run that distance on road in about thirty minutes. Trail running really is a different sport, and one that I think I enjoy more than road running. The opportunity to run surrounded by trees, plants, animals, and the occasional Chinese hiker is one I am very thankful for. I'm also returning to the Greenbelt Trail 50K in 2012, so I have some serious training to do. This time around, I'll be doing the ass kicking.

I have to practice my descents.