I have to thank my roommate for making this run pleasant. I typically run the Mt.Vernon Trail along the Potomac River around Arlington & Alexandria VA. From where I start the path goes south 4.2 miles and then north about 4ish. It continues north but it ends up hitting some roads and I’m not a fan of traffic / stopping when I tackle long runs. The Theodore Roosevelt Island sits north about 4 miles on the Mt.Vernon trail – I have biked it once but never tried to run it. Leading up to the island is this awesome little bridge area that I love running so I should have listened right away when Amelia (roomie) told me to run around the island. I made a last minute decision and decided to do it when I hit the bridge.
I managed to take all of these pictures while running, I am really happy they actually come out! It slowed me down a little bit but speed wasn’t the goal for this run.
I have never trail run aside from my first Tough Mudder and this was WAY more enjoyable than the mudder. There were some muddy spots but for the most part I just had to pay attention to roots and rocks. I ran a little over 3 miles on the island and then 8 on the Mt.Vernon Trail.
I even ended up stumbling on the Theodore Roosevelt statue. I didn’t find this until right before leaving the island, it is in the middle and I had been running around the outside on trails and wooden bridges.
11 miles done and done! I am becoming very optimistic about PRing in March. My current time is 1:55 and I would love to do 1:45 but I will settle for 1:50. We shall see! I wasn’t pushing myself at all really on this run so I think I could definitely pull it off. My training plan has me running 13 miles a few times so hopefully the times for those practice runs will give me the confidence I need to kick some booty.
The AMRAP Refuel Bar I had before the run was perfect, I had plenty of energy the entire run, after was another story, I was starving. I mentioned earlier my kitchen has slim pickings right now and after this meal all I have left is about a third of an avocado. Grocery shopping is going to happen first thing in the morning!
Week 2: 27.7 Miles
| Mon | Jan 14 | XT |
Crossfit / Stretching / Abs DONE |
| Tue | Jan 15 | Easy Run | Dist: 3 Mi @ 8:35, Core, & Soccer DONE |
| Wed | Jan 16 | XT | Crossfit / Stretching / Abs DONE |
| Thu | Jan 17 | Speedwork |
Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 3×1600 in 8:03 w/800 jogs; Cool DONE |
| Fri | Jan 18 | Easy Run | Dist: 2 Mi @ 9:20 & Shoulder / Core Demo DONE |
| Sat | Jan 19 | Rest |
Fountainhead Regional Park Hike – 5.7 miles DONE |
| Sun | Jan 20 | Long Run | Dist: 11 Mi @ 9:28 DONE |
To take advantage of the long weekend the boy and I are headed to my cousins house to see my aunt and uncle and enjoy a fabulous dinner, then it is off to Ellie Goulding!!! I am soooo excited!!! I have been obsessed with her for what seems like forever. I am also beyond excited to have a home cooked meal. My aunt told me she was making steak, portobellos, a kale and pomegranate salad, and a slew of other things (tortellini, bread, beans) that every one else is going to adore.
Q: What is the last great concert you went to? (I went to see Florence and the Machine and they were amazing!!!)
Q: What is your longest solo run?
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Categories: Half Marathon Training
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Great job!!! That is GORGEOUS! I wish I ran in a place that looked like that. Now we definitely have to run together 🙂
Trail running is great training for all sorts of things;)
Oh.. And longest solo run I think for me was 19.5, for fun in 30degree heat..
11 miles solo is incredible! That takes a lot of mental discipline. I think my longest solo run is 10 miles…and Ob was actually with me…but she’s a dog. lol
I wish there were more trails in Jacksonville to run. I hope you get your PR – if you’re training all the way up to 13 miles, you shouldn’t have a problem! I bet you rock your race!
I bet Florence would be amazing in concert! I think my first concert seeing BNL in their prime was probably the best. Everything was so neat and amazing! Congrats on the awesome run! That is a great path…I get so motivated by beautiful scenery! I don’t know my longest on my own run. Prob around 14 miles when I was training for the marathon. For the longer runs, my mom biked with me to keep me company, which I loved!
Florence + the Machine must have been amazing!
Gorgeous photos!
I love trail running, I find it so much more enjoyable and entertaining then normal road runs. Keep crushing it!
I am with you! I am switching up my goals and decided to run a half marathon trail run in June, just trying to decided between two now!
Wow, good for you, girl!! That’s so awesome that you might get your PR, and yay for a new running site! I just fell in love with running outside in the winter (30 degrees is totally doable!) and I can’t wait to do more outside running! All of your pictures are pretty impressive, too. Haha looks like you got a lot of great workouts in over the week! Keep running so strong! Have a great Monday 🙂
Thanks!! I wish it was fall temperatures every time I went running, I hate the intense heat and freezing cold, guess we all just have to deal with it!
Congrats on a great run! I am organizing a run you might be interested in! I’d love for you to check it out and spread the word to help me raise funds for the A.C.S. Go to http://fitfabandleanin2013.weebly.com to read the details.
This is pretty awesome! I could definitely use one of my planned 13 mile runs and add .1 to have it count as this race. I’m on a spending freeze until the 26 when my CC closes out (still has christmas on this bill, ugh) but I will definitely sign up after that!! Great idea!!!
Amazing run!! WOWZA BOWZAAA!! I have never been to a concert, so cool right? HA I am such a loser. I would love to see florence and the machine. And mumford, and ray lamontagne..and a ton of others!
Say whattttt. Florence was so good, she seriously looked like she was possessed and it was a nutso experience. Find a Mumford show and I’m there!
Man oh man thats a great place to go running! I hit some trails during my long runs as well and I absolutely love it.. plus, its a little easier on my knees! Yeahhh for a good run!
Wow!! I admire people who can put in that kind of distance–way to go! That trail looks beautiful too!
I’ve driven past that trail before, and it sure is gorgeous! Great run 🙂
Congrats on your long run! I think I may live near you..I run the same paths for my long runs 🙂 Will have to meet up one time, although you are waaaay faster than I ever would be!
That would be so fun, I love the Mt.Vernon Trail!