It's runs like these

march 29th

distance: 8

happy feet

yes, yes, it's runs like these that make me love this so much. 55 degrees and sunny through the trails. no pain and some good 'me time.' there is nothing quite like a good trail run.

See Athens

march 28th

distance: 6.5



Get out and see athens because it's beautiful!

March 24th

Location: athens

Distance: 5.5

Nice unplanned run through a residential portion of athens.

March 27th

Location: athens

Distance: 7.5

Even though it was cloudy and not a trace of sun shine, I could believe how beautiful the flowers still looked. Such a blessing!

"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" ~Mark Twain

Updates

March 19th

Distance: 5 miles

Location: ssi

Nice run through Sea Palms... one of my all time favorites.

March 20th

Distance: 5 miles

Location: ssi

Last run on the island before I headed back to athens the next day. The sun was setting and my heart was smiling. Gosh, those live oaks are beautiful.

March 21st

Distance: 6 miles

Location: athens

First run back in athens after spring break. I ran through the trails. The weather was perfect and everything seemed to bloom while I was gone. I enjoyed the fresh smell of flowers in the trails and on the side walks. My competitive nature kicked in when some guy decided to turn down the same road as me. I wasn't going to let him pass me, so my leisurely jog turned into a serious workout. Nice.

March 22nd

Distance: 6 miles

Location: athens

More trails. How can I not run in the trails during the spring time? It was 82 degrees outside and sunny. I'll receive that.

March 23rd

Distance: 6.5 miles

I was missing some downtown athens so I decided to run down Milledge today. I ate peanut butter for lunch. Shame on me. Good thing my stomach didn't hurt the whole time. I need to learn my lessons.

Location: Athens

good to be home

location: ssi

distance: 6 miles

temperature: 74

I could have run forever today. The weather was perfect and I just love running on the island. It was about 5:30, the beginning of dusk after a long day at the beach club. It was such a great end to the day. The greens in Sea Palms were especially green today and I kept getting wafts of flowers in the air. My mom rode her bike as I ran and we talked the entire time. It's so much better than talking on the phone. Before the run I could sense some stress coming on from all of the things that I have to do. Spring break has been great but it's hard not to think of unfinished school work, an unpaid speeding ticket, unanswered emails, and a long drive back to athens. I just finished my run and all of those things have sunk back into the place that they should be. Mmm.... sweet therapy. And it's free.

march 16.

location: destin

distance: 6 miles

temperature: 70

tip of the day: don't eat peanut butter before a run.

Location: Destin

Distance: 6 miles

Today I started running around 5:15 pm. I ran on the beach for about a mile and a half and then I went on the road to finish the run. All around it was a great run. I knew that I wanted to run on the beach but I didn't have a plan for how long or how far. Sometimes running without a plan is so satisfying. I would have been completely content with 3 miles or 10 miles. I just wanted to run and wander around the area. After a mile and a half on the beach, I was getting tired of the soft sand and I decided to run on the road until I felt like turning around. I was sweaty, salty, and sticky from the day at the beach. A little sunburnt and drained from the sun, I jogged until my little heart was content. As I cooled down, I was surprised at how tired I was. I really can't get enough of beach runs. They are exhausting and so rewarding at the same time. I hope that I will always take full advantage of my beach days. So many of my best running memories are at the beach... Ponte Vedra, West Palm, San Diego, Charleston, Sea Island, St. Simons Island, and now Destin. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

Long Overdue

Tuesday, March 8th

Gosh, I can't even remember this run it was so long ago. I know it was a morning run and I went about 7 miles. I'm sure it was good, but I really don't have many words because it's been about a week since I last blogged. I'm slacking on the job.

Thursday, March 10th

Today was a 6.5 mile trail run with Chase. Wednesday was a rough day. That night at Waffle House, I can't tell you how happy I was when Chase asked me if I wanted to run in the morning. The Lord knew that I needed a run. I was weary and needed a nice run to refresh my mind. Thursday morning came around and Chase called me at 8 and I was still asleep. Tired and delirious, I stumbled into the kitchen to scarf down some food and drink enough water to hydrate me for the run. I changed and shortly after, Chase showed up at my door. It the beginning of my run, I was asking myself what I had agreed to. We were running at a quick pace and I still felt half asleep. The cool air on my face helped me wake to the morning. It had rained the day before so the trails were wet which makes for an interesting run.

Saturday, March 12th

This was a 7 mile run through Athens before we left for Spring Break '11... watch out Destin. The run felt great and Athens was pretty deserted. I ran part of the way down Lumpkin in the middle of the road because there were no cars. I don't know why but running in the middle of the road is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me feel as though I'm the only person in the town. It's some kind of free.

Monday, March 14th

Location: Destin, FL

Distance: 8 miles

It feels so good to change the location of my run! I absolutely love running in new places. I find out so much about a place by running through it. Running in Destin was not only fun because it was a new place but it reminded me of why I love the beach so much. I could smell the salt air and I passed so many beachy people as I ran. Beachy definitely isn't a word, but I think you know what I mean. Sun-kissed people with the aura of a laid back life. Most of the houses in Destin are big and new, but I cherished the few small beach shacks that I saw. They remind me of what I love about the low country beaches... quaint homes that hold more memories than things. After the run, I walked a little ways and could feel the salt drying on my face. I'm such a simple girl, and it's the little things about the beach that I enjoy so much. This run also reminded me of my desire to run the California coast. It's going to happen in the near future. Hold me to it.

Satisfying

Location: Athens

Distance: 7 miles

Back in Athens and feeling rested from a weekend in the mountains. I set my alarm for 8 am because I wanted to be on the road before 9. I didn't want to wait around for my run. I needed a little jump start to my day. It was cool and crisp out today, and I was excited about the smell of the fresh morning air. Not far into my run I passed Chase. It was so good to see a friend enjoying a morning run as well. I ran my usual route down Milledge to Prince, but I decided to go a little farther and loop back on Thomas. I had missed Athens over the weekend and I was excited to see downtown. If you haven't seen it early in the morning, you should. There are a lot less people, and more time to enjoy our eclectic city. I was thinking about the hike that I went on yesterday, and how full the waterfall was. I passed a tree full of white flowers. The Lord told me that He wants me to be full of Him and His fruit... "apart from me you can do nothing." John 15: 5 I'm thankful for His grace that is generous and full.

Share the Hike

March 5, 2011

Location: Lake Toxaway, NC

Hiked to School House Falls with Maggies and her dogs. We didn't see a soul on the trail and the sun was bright and mood-lifting. Such a good hike with a full waterfall at the end... "the whole earth is full of His glory." Isaiah 6:3

Location: Lake Toxaway, NC

Distance: about 5 miles

Today I was at Maggie's mountain house at Lake Toxaway. I was so excited about getting away for the weekend and hiking in the mountains, but it rained all day so we didn't get to hike. Around 3:30 I decided that I was going to brave the weather and run in the rain. I didn't run yesterday, so I really wanted to get a run in. It was raining lightly throughout the whole run. I ran to the front of Maggie's neighborhood, took a short trail to a waterfall, and then continued through the rest of the neighborhood for a total of 40 minutes. You might be thinking that I'm crazy, but I'm so glad that I decided to get out and pound some pavement. I enjoy running in new places and this was a great run because I didn't see a single person and I was weaving throughout the mountains near Lake Toxaway. My body felt great because I didn't run that many miles this week. I think that I needed the rest this week. This was a great run to end the week. New place, different weather, makes for a great run.

Location: Athens

Feb 26th

Distance: 7 miles

Today I had class in Gwinnett from 9 am until 3 pm, so I didn't get home til about 4. It's a little depressing for a Saturday, and it always seems to be nice and sunny on the days that I'm in class. When I got home I just wanted to relax for a while before I went on my run. I knew that I was going to run at some point because that's my Saturday routine on the days that I have class. I decided to run to Myer's quad to meet up with some friends. We talked for a while and just enjoyed the last bits of the sunny afternoon. Being on campus makes me feel like a student. I love it. I don't get to spend a whole lot of time on campus so I try to enjoy the times that I get to walk around, throw the frisbee, or just lay in the sun. It's so easy to just go through the motions and not realize how beautiful college campuses can be. Not only are the buildings and landscape beautiful but the people are as well. College truly is such a great time, maybe that's why I've extended my education into grad school. Anyways, back to my run.... I picked up my run in the middle of campus by Tate. It was really nice running through campus without the sidewalks being crowded. I really enjoyed it. As I turned the corner onto Prince, I saw the colorful horizon right in front of me. It was such a blessing that I decided to run this direction at this time. I didn't plan it at all, but I was able to see the sun set and as I reached the peaks of the hills I was able to see most of Athens at the end of a great Saturday.

Feb 27th

Today I ran with Chase from his house to the trails. We went into the trails the opposite way that I am used to going. It was interesting because I can't tell you how many times I have run these trails but this time it seemed like an entirely new place. It's like looking at your surroundings upside down. It's all about perception. Chase and I had a great conversation, like always. We ran about 7 miles and it went by so quickly.

March 1st

Distance: 6.5 miles

Today I went on a nice morning jog. I call it a jog because I went somewhat slow, but I really wanted to enjoy the day. It is the first day of March and I have to tell you that I can't be more excited (for a number of reasons). First, it was 57 degrees and sunny outside. Such a great way to start a new month. I know that there are still cold days in March, but to me, March is the beginning of Spring. It is the month of Spring Breaks and blooming flowers (especially azaleas). I might be jumping the gun here but when March arrives, I begin to think that summer is in sight. I start to think of my summer plans and days at the beach. Obviously, summer is my favorite month. I don't get this way when fall and winter are approaching. March begins my restlessness for warmer days and barbecues. The end of school is in sight, and I'd like to think that it's all downhill from here. So my slow run was a chance for me to enjoy this fine March morning and soak up the sun rays. There is no turning back; the flowers are blooming and in my mind, spring is here.