Anniversary Getaway: George Washington National Forest

Our 1st year anniversary was on Sept 8th!  This past year has flown by so quickly, it is hard to believe this was us a year ago. It has been an awesome year to say the least.

We decided to celebrate with our other love, Nature!
We headed down South to Hot Spring, Virginia to spend the weekend in the historical Omni Homestead Resort. This hotel is full of Southern charm, beautiful rooms, delicious food, tasty drinks, whirling pools, lazy rivers, relaxing spas, and endless entertainment but what really brought us there were the outdoors.

The Homestead is located in a remote area nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. For us the main attraction was the George Washington National Forest. This forest is no joke as it covers over 1.7 million acres of land across three states – Virginia, West Virginia & Kentucky. Unfortunately due to limited time (ya right), we were unable to cover all this forest had to offer but we did get to experience two great hiking trails while on our stay.

Hidden Valley Trail – A 4 mile loop starting in a green valley leading into the overgrown forest. We started off thinking we could trail run it but as the trail drew deeper into the forest and ran along the Jackson River it was hard to dodge the spider webs & branches. Lets say I think we took the path less taken but the trail still offered pretty river views and a unique hanging bridge. If you visit, stick to the valley & river side (haha).

  

Greenwood Point Trail – A 6 miles switch-back trail along the mountain ridge line overlooking Lake Moomaw. The climbs were steep and the outlooks were breathtaking.  This was such a cool hike because it reminded us a bit of the Kalalau Trail we hiked in Hawaii during our Honeymoon, minus being terrified.  This is a MUST DO hike!

We had a great anniversary getaway! I am looking forward to what year two has to bring.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend is so bittersweet. It marks the end of Summer yet offers us one last long weekend to soak up the sun. Did you take advantage?

This Labor Day, my husband and I headed back to the lake to take full advantage of summer activities. This time around we had some special guests as our city gang headed to the lake. Everyone had great time as we filled our days on the water wake boarding, water skiing, and tubing. I was so proud of everyone for stepping out of their comfort zone to try something new and challenging. I even tried jumps on the wake board! We were all super worn out and sore.

It was an awesome weekend and marked a great ending to another Summer season. Do we really have to wait another 9 months to do this again?

Triathlon Training: The Day Before

Kristen & I went to the Expo today to check-in and hear some triathlon tips for race day. I am so glad we went because we received a lot of great advice for the transition:

1. Locate your transition area the day before by the number of rows or a landmark. Race day will be hectic so it is important to know where to find your stuff efficiently.
2. Walk through all the transitions starting from where you exit the swim to finding your bike, exiting for the bike ride to where you finish the bike ride, back to docking your bike to where you leave for the run.
3. Use a towel to block off your transition area and place all your transition belongings so they are ready to go.
4. Set up your transition area at your front wheel so you have an easy exit.
5. Be ready to go. The less you have to fumble during a transition the better.  Bike set to low gear, unlace shoes, socks in shoes, number pinned on shirt or belt, hair tightly secured, water bottles full, etc.

We then headed over to the course to dock our bikes. We will be keeping them there over night. We noted our transition location which was just 5 bikes down from each other (how crazy!) and walked our transitions. I feel so much more relaxed now that I know exactly where to go. Phew!

Now all that is left to do is pack. I wanted to share my packing list because there is a lot to keep track of. Here is what I plan on wearing to the event and what I plan on bringing with me:

Wear to Event

• Swimsuit
• Triathlon shorts
• Time chip on ankle (provided)
• Garmin watch
• Garmin heart-rate monitor
• Running shoes & socks
• Zip-up hoodie (take off for after race)

Packing List

Swim

• Goggles
• Swim Cap (provided)
• Shammy (quick dry after swim)
• Water bottle with water (at transition for after swim)

Bike

• Bike (already docked at race today!)
• Helmet (number on front)
• Clip-in shoes
• Socks (wore to race)
• Tank Top with race number pinned
• Water bottle with Nuuns tablet (place on bike)
• Water bottle with water (place on bike)
• Saddle bag (placed on bike)
• Spare tube, tire lever, and CO2 (put in saddle bag)

Run

• Running shoes (wore to race)
• Sports hairband
• Clif Shot Bloks

Extras

• Sun tan lotion (after getting numbered)
• Hair tie
• Sunglasses
• Towel (to mark transition space)
• Trail mix (pre-race snack)
• Tank, shorts, sports bra, underwear, flip flops, & comb (to change after race)
• Cell phone (find family after race)

Now just relax & have a good dinner, set my alarm 4:30 am (WOW that is early), and get a good night sleep. This is the hardest part for me. See you on the other side!

Feel free to follow the event live on their video stream. Technology at it’s finest! http://tricolumbia.trispies.com/live/

Black Hill Regional Park

This weekend my family enjoyed a day outing for Mother’s Day at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, Maryland. I had been to this park once before for a trail run but never knew there was so much to do & see. Little Seneca Lake was the main attraction as people were fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and boating in the lake. There were also lots of people hanging out around the lake to enjoy the view & mother nature.

My family spent the day walking & scooting around the lake, taking a pontoon boat tour, and enjoying a picnic dinner. We all were surprised there was so much to do and are ready to head back to the lake to try some new activities.

ReTreat Yourself!

Ever feel like you just need a break? A break from work, routines, errands, alarm clocks, rushing around to get it done?

It is hard to avoid the stress of life. Even vacations don’t do the trick and often just add to the stress upon return, feeling even more tired, hung over, and bloated. Why not treat yourself to a retreat weekend to really get-a-way and refresh? 

This past weekend I did just that with two of my girlfriends. We were in need of a healthy weekend to refresh our bodies & minds.  We headed down to Rehoboth Beach which is quite relaxing in the off-season.  So what did we do?

• Stocked the kitchen with healthy-clean eats
• Enjoyed morning & afternoon smoothies for a detox
• Prepared nutritious dinners at home
• Walked & talked on the trail, beach, and boardwalk
• Napped on the beach hearing the ocean waves in the background
• Felt the sun on our faces
• Practiced Hot Yoga in & out of the studio
• Turned off the alarms & woke up naturally
• … and of course, enjoyed some evening wine & fudge

It really was the perfect weekend!  We felt so refreshed and ready to get back to reality with clear minds and clean stomachs. I never felt so good Monday morning.

Here is our weekend recap as my camera saw it…

This past weekend was really a treat, thank you ladies!

Kenwood Cherry Blossoms

Good Morning!

I started my morning a little different today, I headed out for a 5 mile run.  Typically morning workouts are not my thing but what motivated me to get going so early?

The Cherry Blossoms are in peak bloom…

and no I did not have to go all the way down to the Tidal Basin and hassle with DC traffic & tourist to see them.  I ran through the Kenwoods neighborhood in Bethesda which is known for their cherry trees. These cherry trees line the road and offer a pretty backdrop for any outdoor activity, may it be running, walking, photography, having a picnic, playing, or reading under a tree. An extra bonus for your workout is these neighborhood roads include steep hills to help get your heart rate up. Perfect place for interval training!

Go quickly since these beautiful blooms do not last long!

Great Falls with Great Friends

We were blessed this past weekend to not only have one beautiful day but two!

Saturday I spent the day at Great Falls National Park hiking the Billy Goat A Trail.  The beautiful views of the Potomac River make it easy to forget you are just a few miles from the city.  It is the perfect escape to enjoy nature right in our backyards!

This time on the trail I was accompanied by some of my long time friends from elementary school.  Silly right? Who is still friends with their elementary school friends? Well, this girl is. We were overdue for some catch up time so we hit the trail to chat and enjoy the day.  

We took our time and wandered off the trail a few times to what my husband likes to call the X Trail.  This way was a true rock climbing route.

We almost lost Ryan a few times… but he always fights for his way back… phew!

And back on the trail for my favorite cliff edge.  Not quite the Kalalau Trail but it is a lot of fun! After being on the trail for two hours we headed over to Old Angler’s Inn for a recovery drink and lunch. You knew it was Spring because the patio tables were full of friends, food, drinks and laughter!

It was the perfect ending to the perfect day!

Northwest Branch Trail

Sunday was a beautiful day, 55 degrees and sunny. Ryan and I wanted to go on a long run to take advantage of this Spring weather but are getting tired of our typical routes.  We had dinner plans at my parent’s house that evening so we decided to try a new trail near their house.  My mom had mentioned that there was a trail head right in our neighborhood which leads to the Northwest Branch Trial covering 10.2 miles of wilderness.

Really? How have I lived in this neighborhood for 18 years of my life and not known this trail existed?

So we laced up our running shoes and were on our way to explore. I felt like I was in a dream where you are in a familiar place and discover a door which leads you to a new world.  Strange feeling.  Although there were no mystical creatures on this trail, it was beautiful.

The wood-chip trail head was just a quarter mile from my parent’s house and lead behind some neighborhood homes. The trail quickly turned into worn down dirt leading straight into the woods towards the Northwest Branch stream (hence the name). I remember playing back there as a child but we were probably too scared to go any deeper in the woods. If only I had a brother.

The trail runs north towards Brookside Gardens Nature Center and south towards Adelphi Mill. We ran north jumping over rocks, sliding in mud, and crossing over the stream.

There were even some ropes to help guide you across the fallen trees over the stream but my husband had to find the tree without the ropes.  He likes to see me get nervous.

 

There were lots of families out enjoying the weather with their kids and dogs.  It was like a whole world back there that everyone knew about but me.  It was exciting!

We ran 3.5 miles to Brookside Gardens Nature Center before heading back.  We stayed along the side of the stream but had a hard time remembering where we entered the trail.  After running 7 miles we pulled out my phone to navigate us back home. We walked 2 more miles just to enjoy the scenery.

I know we will come back to explore this trail more. There is another 8 miles south that is unknown territory.  How cool?

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More to Aspen than just Snowboarding

We had a day in between our snowboarding adventures to just relax and enjoy Aspen. Our day started with a cup of coffee and breakfast overlooking the beautiful snow-covered mountains from our house. I found myself staring at these mountains in awe of their beauty. We do not have views like this in Bethesda.

Shortly after breakfast, Ryan and I headed to Downtown Aspen to shop and walk around. There were lots of high-end retail stores, ski shops, antique stores, and restaurants. I enjoyed the brick roads, cute store fronts, and vintage bikes. Once again, the snow-covered mountains set as a beautiful backdrop.

   

For Ryan and I, relaxation means fresh air, exploration, and activity so when we got back from shopping, we bundled up for a hike of the National Forests, a trail just a few miles from where we were staying.

We hiked along snow-packed trails passing cross-country skiers and snowmobilers along the way.  We opted to follow the snowmobile tracks as those were the most packed down yet extremely steep. The hike was tough due to the higher elevations (causing us to get out of breath a lot quicker) and lack of traction on our shoes (amateur mistake).

  After hiking up the mountain for 3 miles we reached the top to enjoy the breathtaking view. I was surprised to find my heart rate on the hike was similar to a jog at home.  This was primarily due to the elevation and incline. Wow!

Our way back down the mountain was a bit more difficult as we had to dig our heels into the snow to avoid a fall, if only we had a sled.  Once we reached the flat trail we “snow ran” the remainder of the trail as local hikers gave us a stare. Maybe we could teach them a thing or two.

That evening we enjoyed a fancy dinner at Krabloonik, a restaurant known for their fine dining & dogsledding.  Weird combination right? Although we skipped the dogsledding this go-around, we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience. The restaurant is located on the top of a mountain in a rustic log cabin.  We sampled an arrangement of locally hunted game meats such as elk, boar, buffalo and pheasant as well as locally caught bass.  We could not have asked for a better meal to get the real taste Colorado.

I was happy to find that all the awesome things I had heard about Colorado were true!  The people were friendly, the food was healthy, the views were beautiful, and the adventures were endless.  There is so much to do in Colorado that I know we will be back some time soon!

Have you ever been to Colorado? What did you do there?

Snowboarding in Aspen, Colorado

Ryan and I just got back from a 5 day vacation in Aspen, Colorado!

“I’m talkin’ about a place where the beer flows like wine. Where beautiful women instinctively flock like the salmon of Capistrano. I’m talkin’ about a little place called Aspen.” I could not resist a little Dumb & Dumber reference.

I have always heard amazing things about Colorado’s beauty and adventure that when our friends invited us to join them in Aspen for a snowboarding weekend we jumped on the invitation!

We spent two days snowboarding at Snowmass Ski Resort which is the largest of the four Aspen mountains. Snowmass has the most vertical feet of skiing of any ski area in the United States covering 4,400 feet in elevation.  We hit the slopes early as we had lots of mountain to cover!

Our first day on the mountain we were blessed to wake up to 5 inches of fresh snow which continued to accumulate throughout the morning.  I was super psyched as I am not a very confident snowboarder but when there is a nice cushion of powder to break my fall, I am one happy girl.  We hit the trails for 5 1/2 hours stopping once for a much-needed lunch break – southwestern chicken wrap with a side of kale salad and a coconut water. I was pleasantly surprised at the healthy options the resort had to offer.

Our second day on the mountain was a bit slicker then the first, as that nice cushion was well packed down.  Knowing my mind is a powerful thing, I shook off the fear of falling and took the mountain head on.  We tackled the longest and highest trails on the mountain that day.  We began by hiking up to Long Shot Trail followed by a fun photo session to catch our breaths and soak in the view.

We hit the trail which extended nearly 5 miles long and took us about 45 minutes to complete.  I love the long runs. Next we went straight up to 11,775 feet in elevation to take Green Cabin trail down to lunch – gluten-free cheese pizza and trail mix.  Once again, the healthy options were amazing.

After just 3 hours of snowboarding those two long runs, us girls were mentally worn out. We battled our way back down the mountain, accidentally hitting a black diamond trail (pretty hilarious), to enjoy a warm Chi Latte over a bonfire, as the boys finished out a few final runs. It was well deserved!

After two days of snowboarding I was quickly reminded of how great of a body and mind workout snowboarding is in the winter.  I was left physically and mentally drained after our long days on the mountain.  Nothing a nap, hot tub and a cocktail couldn’t fix.

Physically, snowboarding improves your body’s cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and balance. The average person can expect to burn between 250 and 630 calories per hour, depending on the difficulty of the terrain.   Snowboarding helps strengthen nearly all the muscles of your body, including quads, calves, hamstrings, feet and ankles.  Snowboarding requires good balance, so you’ll develop stronger core muscles. You’ll also tone your upper body as you use your arms for balance and to pick you up when you fall.  I typically feel it most in my calves and hamstrings the morning after.

Mentally, snowboarding improves your concentration and focus. It requires rapid changes in pace and direction as you navigate the terrain.  I could feel the mental exhaustion as I would wipe out more and more as our day came to a close.

Overall this snowboarding adventure was a great success as no one was rushed to the emergency room.  That is normally a good sign, right? I improved a lot on this trip as I found myself truly enjoying myself as normally I would be tense and fearing a bad fall. I was happy to know I am greater than what my mind tells me I am.

Have you been Snowboarding or Skiing this Winter? Where did you go?