~ Runfessions ~ A collection of statements admitting that one is guilty of a variety of running crimes… It’s time again to join in on the fun and clear my conscience of recent running, biking, fitness, nutrition, and life in general faux pas. I know I’ll feel better when I’m done, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll give […]
A New Peloton Bike+ My husband and I had been contemplating purchasing a Peloton bike for a while, and finally made the decision when we saw a great deal during Peloton’s Black Friday sale. So far I’ve taken a two beginner rides and a core strength class. Shorter, more intense rides will be a part […]
The Cold Has Arrived It was a cold week in our neck of the woods and I’m becoming more of a wimp with every single day older I get. As Sunday’s dawn approaches, it’s snowing gently and the feels like temperature is 16°. As much as I’m an outdoorsy kind of girl, I’m incredibly grateful […]
Christmas PSA I strained my back on Tuesday while wrapping two kettle bells (26 and 31 pounds) while kneeling on the floor… I thought it would be much easier to wrap them on the floor than lift them up onto the kitchen island where I do a lot of my wrapping. When I told Kim about […]
Join me by pulling up a chair and pouring yourself a cup of coffee. Even though I don’t care for coffee or tea, there is a warm beverage I enjoy so I’m treating myself to a Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate. Let’s take a break and talk about more than just fitness related topics. Sound like […]
Running and Cuddling On Thursday I laced up my running shoes for the first time in almost two years when I joined my family to run in our local turkey trot. I stuck with the 2K and was no worse for the wear after the slow and steady run. Meanwhile back home, Pablo was holding […]
A Little Bit of Everything This week brought about a little bit of everything, everywhere. We started the week still visiting our son and daughter-in-law in Charolette, NC, followed by three days at the farm in SWVA, and finally making our way back home. Workouts took a backseat mid-week, but those easier days were bookended […]
Birthday Week It was my birthday week and if you’ve been reading my blog for long you know what that means – riding my bike the same number of miles as the years I’m turning and walking or running some variation on that number. Last Saturday I rode 68 miles on my bike because the […]
Cades Cove Nestled within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is the park’s premier destination. This expansive 6,800-acre valley serves as a rich natural habitat, attracting a diverse array of wildlife that draws visitors from around the world. As travelers navigate the scenic 11-mile one-way loop, they are treated to breathtaking panoramic mountain […]
Early Birthday Bike Ride This past week was the week before my birthday and if you’ve been reading my blog for long you know what that means – riding my bike the same number of miles as the years I’m turning, and walking or running some variation on that number. Normally, I would have completed […]
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is world-renowned for its incredible biodiversity and the persistent blue-gray mist that gives the range its name. As America’s most visited national park, it protects an ancient landscape of lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and some […]
Join me by pulling up a chair and pouring yourself a cup of coffee. As always, though, I’m sticking to water since I don’t care for coffee or tea. Let’s take a break and talk about more than just fitness related topics. Sound like a plan? I’ll kick us off.. If we were having […]
New River Gorge National Park Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects one of the world’s oldest rivers. From legendary whitewater rafting to the iconic 876-foot steel arch bridge, the park seamlessly blends rugged industrial history with breathtaking natural beauty. Grandview Main Overlook Perched high within New […]
New Garmin Watch After months of research trying to find the best Garmin watch for my needs, I settled on the Lily 2 Active. It’s small enough to wear everyday, but includes features I need that my previous Garmin didn’t have – the only options with it were run, run indoor, bike, and other. Now […]
Hawks Nest State Park Located on the rim of the New River Gorge in Ansted, West Virginia, Hawks Nest State Park is a 276-acre destination famous for its 750-foot cliffs and birds-eye views of the New River. Known for its breathtaking overlooks and rugged canyon scenery, it’s wide variety of hiking trails makes it […]
New River Gorge National Park Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects one of the oldest rivers on the continent. Known for its world-class whitewater rafting and the iconic steel arch bridge that towers 876 feet above the water, the park offers a stunning blend […]
Visiting Two More National Parks Our timing was a little off for seeing leaves at their peak fall color while visiting New River Gorge National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Of course, when planning a trip several months in advance, it’s impossible to know exactly when fall will be in its full glory. […]
Timing Leaf Peeping with the Color Change My husband Bill and I usually spend a week or two in New England each October, hoping to time it to perfectly match peak leaf peeping season. This year, though, we opted to stay closer to home. Leaves would be changing a little later farther south in West […]
Losing My Mom My brother and I lost our mom this week. It will take me a while to write a tribute worthy of what she meant to our family and the community… Overview of the Week Before getting into each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll […]
Natural Bridge State Park Located within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, this natural semi-elliptical arch, carved from limestone over millions of years, is a true geological marvel. Privately owned for nearly 250 years—including a period of ownership by Thomas Jefferson—the bridge was listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1997 and designated a […]
