Why I'm [Not] a Slacker

Happy Leap Day!

A month ago today, I did ten miles out at Kates Plateau, taking pictures with the intention of a blog post soon to follow. Unfortunately, that post is still in the works (meaning I haven't started). Now, since I realize that there isn't really any following of this blog yet, I'm not super concerned that anyone out there cares that I haven't written. So really, it's completely up to intrinsic motivation to propel me to write. And I do want to write, it's just...SCHOOL...makes me tired. So, I haven't really written OR run recently.

Ah, but I haven't been completely idle! Au contraire!

Salomon sale on Leftlane Sports, and wishing I were able to take full advantage of this weather...

Get you some Salomon trail running shoes for good prices right now on Leftlane, while they last! Just thought I'd spread the word. Here's the link: http://www.leftlanesports.com/Event.aspx?l=00010024051000000000. Coincidentally, The Clymb also has the XA Pro 3D Ultra M on sale for about 50 bucks, after shipping. Usually, these types of things sell crazy fast (especially at The Clymb), so hurry up: http://www.theclymb.com/brand-event/14714/show-product/23581

Also, I do plan on putting up my next trail review sometime soon. Hopefully this weekend. It will be of my recent run a week ago at Kates Plateau, one of my favorite trails (I know, I know, it's a week late). Kates Plateau ate my phone, though. Hopefully, I've got a new one waiting for my in my post office box. *EDIT* No cigar: empty box.

I hope everyone out there has been enjoying this excellent running weather. I can't believe it's February right now. I can't believe I've been stuck inside most of the time doing homework.

Sheesh.

In other news, Blue Ridge Outdoors recently posted a video of Appalachian trail runner Dan Lehmann discussing his love for what he does: http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/photos-and-video/bro-tv/bro-tv-dan-lehman-on-trail-running/. One of these days, I hope I'm cool like him, running ultras at Spruce Knob and sportin' a sweet white beard.

Let me see if I can get this infernal Blogger editor to agree with Vimeo's embed code...



Ah, that's it. Not as bad as I expected.

Alright, peace out, all you beardly trail runners who are in more shape than I am.

Long Point Trail

Distance: 1.6 miles from trailhead to Long Point; 3.2 miles out-and-back
Difficulty Rating from NPS: Moderate

A classic out-and-back jog just over 5k in distance, Long Point Trail provides a well-rounded degree of technicality and difficulty suitable for a beginner's introduction to what trail running has to offer. It is also a great tack-on addition to other trails for longer runs. As it intersects with Fayetteville Trail and Butcher Branch Trail, you can access nearly any other trail in the Canyon Rim area from here, and the point rewards any trek with a picturesque view of the famous New River Gorge bridge.

On Learning to Love Trail Running

Being away from the NRG and having a pretty lazy Christmas vacation is making me wish a little bit that I was out there checking out the trails and staying in shape--especially when I look at NOAA and find out that it was sunny and in the 40s today in Fayetteville. Although it hasn't been enough to get me to try to run at all here... (If I were in WV I'd run--honest!!) I'm wondering what the trail conditions are like and how out of shape I really am--I usually overestimate my endurance and strength on the first run after a long break, and it kills my enthusiasm. Maybe I should make a New Year's resolution to expect to be a wimp when I get back to WV. I've never been big on resolutions. I guess some people make resolutions to become runners or something. I think I became a runner more out of impulse than resolve. Maybe I just thought I was hardcore because I was the only person I knew back in 8th grade that decided he would run 3 miles for no good reason. Then again, I was home schooled; I guess I don't really think I knew that many kids my age at all. 

Even so, I started road running probably around 8th grade. My first 5k was a small race in Davis, WV in the fall of my 9th grade year (I started attending the public high school that year, but I didn't join the cross country team until my senior year). I was tough on myself in high school--even in my "fun" runs, I wouldn't let myself walk or stop. I'd push myself as hard as I could push without anyone running next to me (which wasn't terribly speedy, still). I thought I "liked" running, but I really don't know how much I enjoyed it, looking back on myself now. I think I just liked knowing that I was in more shape than the average high school kid. I had such a competitive attitude and mental toughness back then that I ended up injuring myself in a couple seasons of track & field by overtraining. My goal was the time; my satisfaction was the finish line. It did make well for becoming a better and faster athlete so I could beat my peers. I don't regret my aggressiveness on the track team and cross country team, but I've changed considerably since then in my personal running philosophy. Generally these days, my goal is less a time, finish line, or distance exact down to the 100th of a mile. Instead of liking the idea of being a runner, I feel that I've been able more to enjoy running itself, and I believe that trail running has played a part in this development.

Happy New [Forum] Year 2012!

Well, although I haven't had much reason or ability to run any trails out there (on vacation), I got a forum started up on here. Hopefully this will help people connect, build community and discuss whatever they want concerning the New River Gorge, trails, local restaurants, gear, or whatever.

here's the link (if you hadn't noticed the tab up there) -- http://trailhugger.blogspot.com/p/forum1.html. Feel free to spread it around to your trail running friends.

I'm looking forward to getting out there again. How's the weather and trail conditions out there? I'll be back in the area in a week or so.