Monday Musings

Gosh it has been so long since I have visited with you! It must be a May thing, because looking through the archives I see the same thing happened last year. My calendar gets a little bit crazy in May with all of the end of school year events. I am not complaining because I create this schedule for myself and I enjoy every minute of it....but it does not allow much time for the little things--like blogging.

May brought so much fun running! It started with back-to-back half marathons, continued with a great North Texas Runners social run, followed by the unofficial monthly gathering of the unofficial Beer and Bagels trail running group(pictured above). All of this brought my running total to 101 miles, my fifth 100 mile month since last August.

I was excited that the North Texas Runners social run was going to be held at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. This little gem in the middle of the suburbs is just a few miles from my house and includes both paved and trail paths. I have driven by here many times and always wanted to try it out, but just never did it. The views are beautiful and the terrain is fairly challenging as far as elevation goes--at least challenging compared to much of what you find in this area. The trails were closed due to some heavy rain that came the day before, but the paved paths kept us plenty busy. Each loop was approximately 2 miles and we made 3 trips around. Erik and I went back on Memorial Day and enjoyed a 4 mile jaunt...complete with tarantula sighting! I can't wait to explore the trails and spend some time out here running this summer. The only thing I'm sad about is that it took me this long to discover it.


Beautiful Scenery at Arbor Hills


Arbor Hills-I can't wait to run these trails

The following weekend brought another new favorite of ours--the unofficial monthly gathering of the unofficial Beer & Bagels trail running group. I am still pretty new to trail running and I really enjoy the challenge that it brings. We met up at Lake Grapevine again this month, but took a trail heading in a different direction. Our group is made up of runners of various speeds, and Erik and I had a great time running with Michelle and Gretchen. Michelle is an excellent trail guide and had great stories to share about her recent triumph at the Jemez 50K. Be sure to read her race report here, it is a good one! You can also read here for more about the Beer & Bagels May run. We ended up going about 12 miles and just before mile 6 I had my first ever "trail fall." Apparently you aren't a real trail runner until you fall--looks like I can join the club now. Fortunately I did not hurt anything other than a skinned leg and a skinned knee (which are looking especially attractive more than a week later as they turn purple and green). I also suspect that I picked up a little bit of poison oak on that adventure--but it is all worth it, the trails are just awesome. It was also awesomely hot--as summer running in Texas is--and Erik and I both felt so thirsty despite drinking frequently from a handheld bottle. After this run, we promptly began shopping for hydration packs since it is just going to get hotter around here. We capped off the run with a trip down to Little Pete's for breakfast on the deck with Bloody Marys and beer (of course!). I love running with this group and am constantly amazed at what great friends I have made since the beginning of 2011. I feel so lucky to know each of them and am thankful that I decided to start running a few years back. Who knew my circle could grow so much?


B-day boy tumbles too!


Emerging victorious!

Now June is here and it is already unseasonably hot in Texas, I am always grateful for my reduced summer workload but always loathe the heat. I get my miles done in the summer--but I can sure be whiny about it. I am looking forward to more adventures including El Scorcho--a 25K that starts at midnight, and the Liberty By the Lake 5K (my Runnerversary) in July. The summer fun will also continue with more North Texas Runners social runs (I am finally going to make it out to a track night and also a hill night) and keep your eye on your local trails--the Beer & Bagels group will strike when you least expect it!

(A HUGE thanks to Corina for all of the wonderful pictures! This blog would be pretty boring without her.)