Singing also helps.
This is what my early morning runs have come to, ever since a bear cub was spotted just at the end of our road, up here in New Hampshire. I was just getting used to the wilderness in these parts but that is too much even for me. If you have ever gone for a run just as the sun was coming up you know that everything is spookier in dawn’s first light. I don’t need to add a bear cub, no doubt with a huge mama nearby, to the fear factor. I’m positive this is helping my heart rate training but I’m also positive that if I’m mauled by a bear, it won’t matter.
The sign behind me reads “Happy Trails.” It should say “proceed at your own risk!” and have pepper spray available.
You will notice I have added “crazy animal update” to the rundown.
WEEK OF JULY 27, 2015
RUNNING: I never dreamed I would carry a small knife in my flip belt but I’ve added it in with my phone and chomps. It’s probably silly but it makes me feel 60% better about fending off a wild animal if need be. Hopefully there will be no need. When I’m not afraid for my life, I’m afraid for my hydration. It’s been hot and humid and I’ve been running around 10am. Not smart, but it’s the only time I was able to smush in most of my runs this past week.
Hazy, hot and humid? Bring it bitch!
Despite it all, I still love my runs and I’ve been seeing some improvement in speed and strength in my brick (bike/run/swim) sessions. You know what they say – strong fall marathons are made in the summer. I’m working toward you, one sweaty, terrifying step at a time NYC!
Total: 25.5 miles
CYCLING: Dream.come.true. I found a new ‘hood to cycle in which A) gets me off the God-awful main road and B) has my head spinning with lake views and Adirondack mansions around every corner. Amazeballs.
I also hit a new “elevation gain” record. Go figure.
Total: 65 miles
SWIMMING: I had the best swim experience yet this past week when I was able to swim the lake lap lanes. OMG, I seriously don’t know how I will be expected to swim in a pool ever again. The water was crystal clear, there were boards to push off of and hundreds of little minnows that were swimming right along with me. I felt like the freakin’ Little Mermaid.
Is there anyway I can build these into the lake below my real home? Please?
I also had the pleasure of jumping in right after a 5 mile death march that left me sweating and panting like a maniac. The one downside? I had to change in the woods near a port-o-potty. I swear, some of the things I do in the name of fitness just keep getting grosser by the week. #LakeLife
I’m going to miss my “pool” when I get home.
GEAR: There is almost nothing better then testing out new gear! I have two big winners this week:
TrailHeads Race Day Running Cap!
Because of my vitiligo aka Michael Jackson skin disease, I need to keep my face covered at all times in the summer months. I have about 100,000 hats and I’m always looking for more. The awesome people at TrailHeads gifted me this cap and I truly love it:
It’s small and seems to fit my girlish head better
It’s made of ALL mesh and is super breathable
It didn’t stink even after it sat in my hot car while I got my swim on
It washes extremely well and dries almost instantly
NEXT UP…
Orange Mud HyrdaQuiver Hydration System
Two thumps up!…or sideways…whatever.
I read about this baby on NYCRunningMama and was very skeptical when it first arrived. The first time I tried it on I couldn’t fathom it wouldn’t chafe the hell out of my underarms. Well, guess what? Not only did it not chafe, it didn’t move! And the ‘quiver’ is just that – each time you reach back for water it’s as if you’re Katness. #HungerGames #WaterIsMyWeapon
I’ll be doing a full review on this puppy…coming soon!
THINGS I LOVE: Miles lost his first tooth! I cried. He actually swallowed it so we had to draw the tooth fairy a picture. He was beyond excited and couldn’t believe the loot he received under his pillow the next morning. I also love that he had no doubt Toothy would find him up here in the wilderness.
The best way yet to tell the twins apart!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Besides all the animal freak outs, I had a kind of scary encounter with a human. On one of my early morning runs out here in the middle of nowhere, a pick-up truck passed me. No biggie. Not at least until I crested a hill about a half-mile later and the same pick-up was completely stopped at the stop sign at the end of the road. You know that pit you get in your stomach? I got that. I seriously reached for the knife in my flip belt as I approached and then, just as I was about 200 yards away, another car came in the opposite direction and the pickup suddenly put it in drive and started off down the road.
Now, he could have been texting, looking at GPS, trying to kill a bug in the car – hell, ‘he’ could have been a ‘she’ because I didn’t get a look at the driver but still. Freaky.
CRAZY ANIMAL UPDATE: Since we last chatted, this happened:
A frog hopped directly into our fire pit, sat in the corner for a while and then hopped out alive
A deer swam across the shallow part of the lake. A deer!
Just a deer in a lake…no biggie.
A peacock was walking down the side of a very busy road. I almost hit it with my bike.
I’ve seen more wild turkeys then I care to but luckily they seem to actually be afraid of humans, unlike the rest of the animals around here.
And this:
READING: The latest book I’m immersed in is California by Edan Lepucki. It’s basically about the end of the world, due to our mistreatment of it, and as the earth and communities in it run out of resources our hero and heroine find themselves alone and living in the wild of California like animals, until they aren’t. I think I’m just missing The Walking Dead but this is seriously and amazing book with a gripping story. I can’t wait to see how it ends.
This also happened:
My article for Zelle was promoted on the Runner’s World FB page and I received a ton of great feedback on both sites. I wrote the original post here and talked all about how training your weakness is the only way to make it a strength.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK: I’m shocked we didn’t leave this place with two puppies and an espresso machine:
Have you ever been afraid for your life on a run/walk?
What’s your favorite piece of summer gear?
GOOD LORD I LOVE YOUR POSTS.
FIrst? Adore the hat! I used to love the patagonia hats for that same reason (fit etc) but they were a little pricey for me.
worth it for your running etc.
NEXT? I laugh so hard the nine year old is lobbying for a HYDRATION SYSTEM
JUST FOR LIFE
Because she says she needs one in Texas for the heat.
<3
I think your daughter is right – they should give you hydration systems for life in Texas!! Love that.
It sounds like you are having a really enjoyable summer so far. I am always surprised with how well we do with the hydration packs. Although they are good! I saw a bear in college while running so I was pretty terrified after that!
I just hope I make it though this last week without seeing one!
Confession – you are not alone in carrying a small knife with you when you run. I do the same thing! The lap lanes in the lake – brilliant!
That seriously makes me feel SO much better! Now I feel like a just a normal native New Hamphire-ian. 🙂
I’m loving the lake lap lanes and don’t know how I will return to the boring pool.
The wildlife would sadly do this city girl in as I can defend myself against the craziest of individuals in the big, bad city but animals are whole different ballgame all together! And Miles looks adorable with his first lost tooth. We have yet to lose any teeth here yet though, but figure sooner or later.
I’m not sure I would do anything but cry, but the knife makes me feel slightly better!…against both humans and animals.
He was so proud to lose that tooth!! It’s really so much fun and I can’t wait for Vaughn to lose one because he’s feeling a little left out.
Totally understand what you’re saying about lake swimming and returning to a pool. I don’t know how I am going to do it! I had the best swims last week in the lake–NOTHING better!
Ugh on the human, though. That is always my fear in the ADKS…I’m out there all alone on a quiet road with no connectivity anywhere. Very vulnerable. Glad your encounter ended well.
I added a skunk to my list of wildlife while up there, btw, but no bears! Yikes.
There really is nothing better then a swim in a crystal clear, beautiful lake…especially after a bike or a run!
It’s sad that we have to worry about being out there ‘alone’ and vulnerable but have to be smart about it. I never thought I would feel safer at home, since I live in a pretty remote area but, compared to here, it’s a mecca of activity!
At least a skunk will spray you and be done…but so glad it didn’t come to that!!
Um first of all never ever doubt your gut!! The sirens went off for a reason!!! So glad another car came and made that dude go.
Um #lakelife is so serious! A bear?! Seriously?! I am unable to can.
I’d never thought I’d see the day when we were doing the same mileage!! #trainingsisters
The hydration pack is sooooo cool! Looking forward to your review!! Anything that makes me feel like Katniss is a win for me. 🙂
It’s even too much for me, Nellie! I seriously need a week in NYC just to balance myself out!
SO cool we are #trainingsisters – love that!! And yes, the hydration pack is the best one yet, if not just for the Katniss factor 🙂
I am seriously amazed at what you are doing… I am way too much of a wildlife chicken to do what you are doing…. sometimes on hiking trails in LA we have gotten pretty close to coyotes…which is why I never hike those trails alone. The picture of your muscular arm coming out of the lake on your swim….LOVE!!!
Thanks Paria! You are too kind and I’m pretty scared at some points in my run but I keep telling myself that it’s safe. Even the people who have seen bears (and there are many!) say they are uninterested in humans. I don’t want to find out! Five days to go…
Dear lord, Allie! Your rundowns are beginning to give me heart palpitations. Between the baby bear and the pick up truck idling, I’m going to start stalking you on social media just to make sure you’re okay!!! I love the color of that Trailheads hat – so cute! Is Vaughn jealous/sad that Miles lost a tooth and he hasn’t yet? <- look, a silly twins question! 😉 And I want to swim in those lake lap lanes. I love that idea.
I’m having heart palpitations myself! Seriously. I’m trying to be smart and I’m sure the locals would think I was way overreacting. They keep telling me there has never been a bear attack. You know what I say to that – there’s always a first time!!
That is NOT a silly question. Vaughn took it much better since it happened when his cousin was here, who he adores, so he was a little distracted, but YES he’s definitely jealous and doesn’t like all the attention (and candy and money) that Miles’ was getting. And, he keeps asking me to wiggle his teeth b/c his front two are pretty loose. It’s funny and sweet.
Lap lanes in the lake are my favorite. I’m trying to swim them as many times as I can before we have to leave…
Good thing the paparazzi weren’t out there when you changed in the woods. Can you imagine waking up to the scandalous headlines? TMZ would have a field day with you. 😉
LOL OMG!!! I had better be more careful next time 🙂 Thanks Josie…
i love your post and the idea of training your weakness! luckily i have a few to pick from so i’m never bored 😀
seriously carrying a knife during a run sounds crazy but i totally get it! i’ve had some very dodgy runs, not in nature, but in West Hollywood, Los Angeles!!!! that place a few years ago was sketch as heck, and i was staying there for a few weeks on my own. since i like running in the morning, i set out one morning to run before the sun came up… whoa talk about crackheadville….. yikes! i felt very uncomfortable and just decided to find other ways to run and exercise. it’s not worth it to me if i’m not feeling safe, but that takes a LOT for me to get that way. i’m a tough cookie but i’m not an idiot.
i just got a running belt with the three water bottles and i’m about to use it, finally. yay!
OMG I lived in Hollywood to do an internship years ago so I totally get it! You were smart to steer clear and find an alternative.
Good luck with your new hydration belt! I have a Nathan with two bottles and I really like it but it tends to ride up as I lose water weight though out a long run…
I don’t know if I could have the presence of mind to USE the knife if a bear came after my ass. You should get a gun! (Not really… I don’t encourage violence… mostly…)
If I could get someone to follow me with a gun, I would. I don’t like to promote violence but I do value my life!! 🙂
Where you are looks absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been running at the same time :)…well maybe closer to 9-9:30…but still. These fun filled days being up until after midnight are leaving way to tired to pop up at 7 and run!
I have been TOTALLY wanting to try that vest ever since I saw Michele with it! I am skeptical, which is why I haven’t shelled out the money yet. I have no good way to hydrate. The best way for me so far is to take my kids on their bikes and have them carry my water :).
I have afraid for my life on a few runs….mostly from stupid drivers. I have had it happen to me twice where a driver thought it would be funny to see how close he could get to me while I was running on the shoulder…NOT funny!
I am headed to a camp with my family next week and they have a mile lake swim challenge that I am thinking about doing!!!
It’s SO gorgeous up here and I don’t want to leave! I have been doing some runs at 5:30 but most of the time I have to wait.
The hydra quiver is totally worth the money, especially when you run and do the mileage we do during the hot months!
I have to say, some of the roads are pretty narrow around here but the drivers are super cautious. In the mid-morning and afternoons there are a lot of walkers and bikers so I think they’re used to watching out for the foot traffic.
You should absolutely do the swim challenge!!! That’s the one your daughter won, right? If you both did it – that would be fantastic!
What a fun month you are having!! Swimming in the lake everyday is heaven.
Yes, humans are definitely scarier than animals. Glad you are being safe out there.
Congrats on the Zelle article!!
I’m all about the mid morning workouts – I can’t seem to pull myself out of bed at 5 am. I need to work on that…
It’s so much fun up here!…especially the swimming.
I’ve done quite a few 5:30am runs but it’s so much scarier!!…plus, this IS vacation and I want to sleep a little 🙂
Thanks Natalie!
I just had to read this based on the title. Better watch out for the frog! Glad you have the knife!
LOL yes! Me too 🙂
Humans definitely scare me more than animals. Glad you are being smart and safe!
If I had kids I would probably leave them briefly unattended in hopes of getting a puppy. Is that bad?
Ha ha – no, it’s not but I’m definitely not ready for another member of the family over here!
A drunk squirrel – love it! Last month my daughter was running in our neighborhood, and a guy (in his twenties, maybe) came up behind her and started running with her. He was friendly, but it was creepy. He tried to make conversation, then turned around and ran back the way he came. A woman about my age pulled up in her car and asked my daughter if she was okay, since she had seen him approach. She offered Gwen a ride to the next corner, and she took it. I wasn’t crazy about her taking a ride with a stranger, but Gwen felt like it was safer than risking the guy coming back.
Weird and scary, huh? I really don’t think the guy had bad intentions, but still. I guess at almost 17 I need to trust my kid to make smart decisions, since I can’t lock her in the house.
That is definitely strange and very scary. It’s even scarier that stuff like this happens all the time! So glad that woman was there and I would have taken the ride as well.
And seriously? You can’t lock up your kids once they become teenagers?? That is very disappointing.
Seriously, I love everything about this post, you crack me up. I can’t say that I’ve ever run with a knife with me when I’ve been in NH, but then again I don’t run at the crack of dawn when I go there. I’ve heard amazing things about the Orange Mud vest, but I don’t think it would hold enough water for me. I love my Ultimate Direction vest!
They have a “double barrel” that carries two bottles 🙂 I may need that one for marathon training…we shall see.
Thanks Sue!!
You were so close to me in NH. We are only about 35 minutes from the flume! I love that you were able to get in some lap swimming in lake lanes. How cool! I would love that. Ahhh, the wildlife on runs thing can sure be crazy herein NH as well as the weird crazy drivers too. Be careful out there and keep enjoying the lake life!
The drivers have actually been ok…and does everyone have a vanity plate here? Just reading all of them keeps me entertained 🙂
That’s too funny that I was so close to you and didn’t even know it! Looking forward to seeing you in Maine in Oct!!
Oh my word! You’ve had some crazy and scary animal encounters! I can’t believe that frog didn’t burn alive! One of my favorite pieces of running gear is my NathanSport QuickDraw handheld- the pocket fits my phone and it’s plenty of hydration for ten mile runs! Run safe and enjoy the weekend!
Yes I did and I seriously have no clue how that frog survived but we were all so happy he did!!
I have a Nathan belt and I love that too BUT it tends to move in the late miles of a long run (12 +) and I have to keep pushing it down. Otherwise, Nathan makes great products!
Thanks Kara.