Art museum greenway

Hike distance: 4.18 miles

Total distance hiked: 27.41 miles

Miles remaining: 151.59

Fantastic Hike. Company Mill Trail at Umstead

Hike distance: 6.18 miles

Total distance hiked: 23.23 miles

Miles remaining: 155.77

This hike was for Kathy and her family.

Best hike in recent memory. I've been pretty inactive for a couple of weeks due to a super stubborn cold, and boy was I wound up. Upon arrival to the Harrison Ave entrance of Umstead, it became clear that I was far from the only one planning to enjoy the sunny 70-degree weather. Cars were parked all along the road and even into the rock quarry. I got lucky and snagged a parking spot and hit the trail. A few minutes in, I was so irritated with all the people that I wasn't sure if I was actually that wound up or if the Triangle Chapter of the Douchebags of America was having a meetup. After a couple of miles, the crowd thinned and my nerves eased. I heard the wind rustling the few leaves on the trees, squeaking tree trunks, frogs croaking, and planes buzzing overhead. I ran my hands along the mossy rocks and the rough bark on the tree trunks. The furthest section of the trail loop is the quietest and most calming. I cried, took deep breaths, and had all sorts of emotional, poetic ponderings... Such as how I wish life had trail markers to let you know you're on the right path, or how the croaking frogs were somehow a sign from Andrea to encourage me along the way, or the squeaking trees were Kathy saying hello, or wondering why only one type of tree throughout the woods was hanging onto its cream colored dead leaves, or how my journey in life is a hot mess but each step is a tiny victory, or even how a hike is like a game of Oregon Trail when the game pauses at a landmark and asks you if you want to take a look around - despite the cheesy music and bad graphics, it's good to take the extra time to pause and take a look around. The clouds came in with a cool breeze, like a sigh of relief. I found myself craving a downpour, but when I started hearing raindrops, I had a moment of panic before smiling and saying out loud to myself, "be careful what you wish for." But, it was just a pleasant, refreshing sprinkle that couldn't have been more perfect. The rest of the hike, I felt like I was floating. Today's hike was a much needed emotionally therapeutic journey. Thanks to Andrea and Kathy for the motivation and inspiration.

Sal's Branch Clockwise + some

Hike distance: 5.01 miles

Total distance hiked: 17.05 miles

Miles remaining: 161.95

What a beautiful 70-degree January day! Hiked with a high school friend, and we treated ourselves to Dos Taquitos for lunch after. I missed logging a small section, but oh well. Close enough :)

Sal's Branch Counterclockwise

Hike distance: 2.75 miles

Total distance hiked: 12.04 miles

Miles remaining: 166.96

My tracking app failed me a bit on this hike (notice the straight line). So I used the mileage from the Umstead website.

Brrrrr

Hike distance: 2.73 miles

Total distance hiked: 9.29 miles

Miles remaining: 169.71

After a few days stuck inside thanks to ice and snow, it was great to go crunching through a little bit of nature. It was a paved greenway (Black Creek greenway in Cary at the south edge of Lake Crabtree), so I feel like it barely counts, but it's my challenge, so I can make the rules, right? Crunchy icy snow is on the same level as roots and dirt and rocks, I think ;)

I actually bumped into Julie and Kim on the greenway, too, which was fun!

First Hike of 2016 Team Drea Challenge

Hike distance: 6.56 miles

Total distance hiked: 6.56 miles

Miles remaining: 172.44

I finally went on my first hike for my 2016 Team Drea Challenge!  It was sunny and 60 degrees in mid-January, so I took advantage.  I decided to try out a new trail I hadn't been on before - a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) starting at Falls Lake Dam going west.  I walked up on the dam and watched some crazy dudes kayaking in the rushing water from so much recent rainfall.  This section of the MST goes along the edge of Falls Lake, so once I got past the urban stuff, confusing turns (complete with backtracking and walking in circles), and random distractions at the beginning of the trail, it went off into the woods by the lake and was really nice.  I included some photos below.  I love nature and being in the woods!  It's my happy place.

City of Oaks Marathon Relay ... and the beginning of Team Drea 2016!

I never did post a race report for the City of Oaks Marathon relay that I did with Team Drea... so this will have to suffice, months later :)  I am going to cheat and copy my Facebook post from that day:

In general, I am not very good at self-motivation. I am greatly inspired by the wonderful people in my life in so many wonderful ways, and it comes in waves. The most recent wave of inspiration has come from my friend Andrea Lytle Peet, which you may have seen me post about several times (or a billion). She has a horribly debilitating terminal illness, but she has inspired so many people to do something she loves - running races and triathlons. Even with her illness (ALS) which affects her muscles to the point where she has to use a walker, today she completed a full marathon (26.2 miles) on her trike. A giant team of supportive friends (aka Team Drea) did it with her (mostly in pieces... She's hard to keep up with!). I ran a 5.3-mile section of the relay with her. I even ran the whole distance, which was a new feat for me. And that would never have happened if I was on my own... Having a bad ass woman on a trike along side me was a great motivation :) But mostly, it was awesome to be with Andrea in her element. It was so great to see and meet everyone and to see the support given to Andrea after the amazing support she gives to everyone else. I am so glad to have reconnected with her. I can only dream of being the inspiration she is to so many people, and I feel a bit selfish for taking that inspiration and motivation without really giving it to others. Not necessarily for lack of trying... I just don't have that radiating loving supporting effect on people like she does. But everyone has their role in life. I once had the nickname of "idle observer" in a random croquet game years ago... And I think that's just how I roll. I'll follow along for a bit until I need a break, and I take a break until my next wave of inspiration comes. So now I think it's time for a break. Running has been a moving and educational experience in many ways, but it's just not what I love to do. I did it for you, Andrea, and I thank you for your inspiration. You will of course continue to inspire me to live life to its fullest, stay strong, be brave, and take care of my body. I will keep seeing my personal trainer, and I will start going on regular hikes. I think hiking for me is like running for you. It refreshes and cleanses my mind... but it's also a lot easier on the legs ;)

And this is my post-race emotional outpouring and reflection. If you actually read all this, kudos :)

I am going to set up a monthly donation to Blazeman Foundation through my bank to continue my support of the fight against ALS. I'm not giving up on Andrea or on finding a cure for ALS... Just giving up on running because that's what I need to do for myself :)

So the monthly donation is rolling, and my new challenge for 2016: hike 179 miles over the course of the year.  I thought this sounded perhaps a bit too easy - average of about 3.5 miles per week. But with the winter weather, limited daylight hours until Spring, and general busy life stuff, I think it will end up being more challenging than I thought... especially since I can't just hop on a treadmill on a cold, dark, sleet-y day to fulfill the miles :)  But, that's my challenge, and I will do it!

As far as the fundraising part of Team Drea, I'm donating the money myself this year instead of annoying people with my donation requests... although I will certainly still accept donations! Here's the link again: http://www.active.com/donate/teamblazeman/carrieo