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Hiking Tuscarora Mountain

June 21, 2019 By in hiking Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment

On the way home from Indianapolis, my husband and I decided to stop at the Tuscarora Mountains for a 2-hour hike. I’m not someone who road trips very well (meaning about 5 hours is my limit for sitting still, and I need to use the bathroom every couple of hours.) The weather was perfect, and we thought it would be a good stop. Since my husband grew up in the area, he knew the mountains well.

The Tuscarora Mountains are an accessible destination to get to if you’re in central PA. Many main roads like the turnpike come within minutes of the trail head. There are a few hiking trails that reach the summit, but you can also park at the top and admire the view.

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

We saw a few deer as well as a few giant spiders.  This was a little to close for comfort.

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa spider

The trail is one of the more overgrown trails we’ve been too recently. Some spots have a calf-length grass. I advise you to wear long pants (even if it’s hot) and use bug spray. The public health major in me, says that Lyme disease is most prevalent in PA so be protected.).

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

There are a few rocky spots, especially to the summit, but for the most part, it’s an easy trail. It’s 4 miles out and back (8 round trip), but if you feel like that’s too overwhelming, you can park at the top and walk down then back up.

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

The trail is well marked, and unless you decide to go bushwhacking, it’s next to impossible to get lost.

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

The top is worth the climb and even if you want to make a pit stop and just drive to the top, it’s beautiful. It’s one of my favorite summits of hiking so far.

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa

 

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain Pa Tim and I

You Can See More Hikes Here. 

Questions for you:

Are you a fan of road trips? How long can you sit in a car? 

Do you like hiking? 

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Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

June 19, 2019 By in Gear Review, Running Tags: , , , , , , 1 Comment
Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

The Topo Fli-Lyte is one of Topos most popular road shoes. I haven’t tried previous versions but tried the Topo Magnifly 2. Topo is a newer brand to me, and I’ve only started running in them recently. I was lucky enough to be sent a pair of Fli-Lyte 3s to try.

Quick Stats:

Weight  7 oz
Drop: (3mm drop)

Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

Fit:

The Topo Fli-Lyte 3 uses engineered mesh. There are no printed overlays or seams, which makes it great for someone with a wider forefront or bunions. While it doesn’t come in wide, the standard width is much wider than several brands.

The mesh has much larger holes, so it’s more breathable than previous versions. Typically I wear between a women’s size 10 and 11 wide, and the 10.5 fit well.

Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

Ride:

The Fli-Lyte 3 is extremely light. At just 7 ounces for women and 8 for men, it’s one of the lighter trainers out there. If you prefer minimalist or lighter shoes, it works as a trainer. For me, it fits well as a speedwork shoe.

To reduce weight, Topo has removed rubber from the bottom. Removing rubber also removes overall traction.  There is still rubber in critical areas such as the toes, forefront, and heel.  That allows for traction upon contact. Many brands have removed most, if not all rubber to reduce weight. That, in turn, makes the shoe much less durable and it won’t have good traction on a rainy day.

Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

Summary:

In all,  I like the Topo Fli-Lyte 3, and I will continue to use it as a speedwork or faster long run shoe.  The more full toe box and lower drop area makes it a good shoe for anyone running in Altra as well.

Current Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Hoka Bondi 6, Topo Magnifly 2, Hoka Mach 2,

Speed Work: Topo Fli-Lyte 3, Reebok Float Ride Runfast Pro, Nike Streak Lt,

Long Runs: Mizuno R2, Hoka Cavu 2

Races: Nike Fly, Reebok Run fast Pro

You can see all current shoe reviews here.

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. This week I talked about getting the most out of your running store.  In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.

Questions for you:

Have you tried Topo?

What is your favorite shoe? 

Red Bank Classic 5k Recap

June 18, 2019 By in Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments
Red Bank Classic 5k Recap

Last weekend I headed up to Red Bank to run the Red Bank Classic 5k. I’ve heard it’s fun and Red Bank is one of my favorite NJ shore towns. Ultimately the race ended as my slowest 5k in many years and slower per mile then the half marathon I ran alone last week.

The morning of my body didn’t feel great. I contemplated just not running, but I had already signed up. I was tired the morning of, and since I was so slow getting there, I only had time for about a mile warm up (usually for a 5k, I like 2-3 miles).

We lined up at 8:25. The race was supposed to start at 8:30, but we delayed until 8:40.

Red bank Classic 5k time and i

Photo from Red Bank Pulse

When we finally took off, I collided with another racer. Not just collided, both of us fell to the ground. While we didn’t injure ourselves, we were both on the ground. When you fall on the ground during the first quarter of a mile, it’s tough to get back up. All I could think was “gee great. My race felt done before it had begun.”

I tried to reevaluate my situation. I was thankful to be running, and I wasn’t injured. I already knew my body didn’t feel great that morning, so it wasn’t like I was going to magically run a PR. I picked myself up and got back into the race. The first mile was spent weaving through runners.

During the second mile, there was a considerable hill. I should have looked at the course map beforehand because I wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t know Red Bank had any hills, but it was there. While running up the hill, my legs and quads burned. I wanted to give up right there. I started running with another woman, and it motivated me to keep going.

By the third mile, I was looking to finish. It’s comical how tired I felt, because I was running slower than my half last weekend as well as five miles, but I was more exhausted. My body didn’t have it for the day.

We made the turn, and I finally saw the finish line in around 21 minutes. I’m happy with my effort, and I gave it what I had for the day. If I hadn’t fallen, I would have probably run low 20s, but I fell, and I can’t change that. I am happy it didn’t happen at a goal race.

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This weeks newsletter is how to get the most out of your local running store!

Questions for you:

Have you fallen at a race before?

What is the hardest 5k you’ve done? 

 

Big Cottonwood Training Week 3: Travel and More Travel

June 17, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon Tags: , , , , , , 7 Comments
Big Cottonwood Training Week 3: Travel and More Travel

I spent early last week traveling home as well as recovering from the She Power Half Marathon. My quads were slightly sore after the race but seemed to loosen up with the week. It was a more eventful week since I spent half of it on the road.  The week also felt as though it went by fast.

Monday: Easy 45 minutes Indianapolis
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes Wheeling, WV, Easy 2 hours hike PA
Wednesday: 4X1 mile 6:41, 6:45, 6:46, 6:58 (wu/cd 10 miles)
Thursday: Swim 2 miles
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: Red Bank Classic 5k (wu/cd 10 miles)
Sunday: 15 Miles
Total: 53

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: 53 MPW

Thoughts:

My easy runs were just that, easy. It was fun running in several new cities, and I didn’t run in the same area one last week. I’m happy with how the week went. I would have liked to get a second day of swimming in, but with traveling, it didn’t work out.  As I mentioned last week, I base my easy runs on about 6.5 miles per hour. I might run 6.1 or 7, but since my easy runs are typically done by time, it makes it easy to calculate a rough idea of mileage.

Workout Wednesday: 4X1 mile with 2 minutes rest

My legs still felt heavy after the race. I didn’t feel terrible, but I didn’t feel the best. I was glad to get the workout in.

Red Bank Classic 5k: 21:00

I’ve always wanted to do the Red Bank Classic, but the timing never works out. This year it did. To summarize the race, my body didn’t feel great, and I also collided with another racer at the start. I spent a few seconds on the ground. It was hard to get back up and start running, but you can only control what you control. I’m proud of myself for running a solid effort.

Sunday Long Run: 15 Miles

In all, I felt decent but not great. I woke up exhausted and not sure I even wanted to run. I told myself to start and see how it goes. I’m not the type of person that believes you never regret a run, because there are a few times I wish I hadn’t run. Anyway, I got 15 miles in and averaged 8:20 pace which I’m proud of.

In all, it was a decent week. It wasn’t the best week ever, but I got what I needed too done.

Posts from the Week:

Running Podcasts to Keep You Entertained

She Power Half (1:29.27)

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This weeks newsletter is how to get the most out of your local running store!

Questions for you:

Have you ever fallen during a race?

How was your week of training? 

Rudy’s Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

June 16, 2019 By in Diners Tags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
Rudy’s Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

On the way back to Virginia, I stopped at Rudy’s Family Restaurant in Harrington, De. I’ve wanted to stop there for years, but the timing never works out. It’s right off the road, so it’s an easy stop for anyone passing through.

Rudy's Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

Atmosphere: A
Rudy’s Family Restaurant is a lot bigger than it looks. Outside it’s a clean, modern building. Once you walk in the restaurant, it’s shiny, metallic, and every part of a diner that you would expect. There is even a kid’s party room if you want to host a party.

Rudy's Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

Coffee:  C
The coffee was ok, not great. There was nothing unique or unusual about it, but it wasn’t terrible either.

Food: B
Rudy’s Family Restaurant has everything a diner would have. There are plenty of breakfast options, lunch, and salad, as well as dinner specials. If you are passing through Harrington and need a spot that will please everyone, Rudy’s Family Restaurant is it.

I always appreciate a good greek appetizer and ordered the Greek Sampler. It was more of a Greek salad and as far as I could tell there was no difference in the Greek salad versus the Greek Sampler minus the Sampler had Gyro meat. It came with lettuce, tomato, feta cheese, gyro meat, pita bread, and grape leaves. The sampler was good but nothing unique or special. I would order it again.

Rudy's Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

For my entree, I decided to order the BLT, which was good.

Rudy's Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

It wasn’t “great,” but there was nothing terrible about it either. The french fries were crispy, which is how I like them.

Rudy's Family Restaurant (Harrington, DE)

Service: B
The waitress was friendly, but it took a while for our food to come out and then to receive a check.

Price: $
For my appetizer, coffee, and BLT, it was only $17. The BLT meal itself was $4.99.

Overall Thoughts/Summary:
I liked Rudy’s Family Restaurant, and it was an easy stop south. I would go back if the opportunity presents itself.

Atmosphere: A
Coffee: C
Food: B
Service: B
Price: $5-12
Overall: B

You Can See All Diner Reviews Here.

Questions for you:
What is your favorite appetizer?
Do you stop during road trips? 

 

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