The Easy Does It 3 Miler

Went out today to test my stamina since I haven't been running due to my medical issues below.  The 3 mile stamper turned out pretty good 28:18 at 9:26 per mile.  I took the first mile slow and easy and seemed to gain momentum as I went.  Felt pretty strong considering the lack of running.  May try to ease back into it.

toadshade

Hiatus

I'm sorry I haven't posted recently but I've had a bad case of laryngitis that is still not diagnosed.  I've been on anti-biotics and Steroids but I still have it.  It seems a little better at present and it doesn't really hurt.  The doctors say my lungs are fine so I've been doing some shorter runs and taking it easy.  I see an ENT Doctor on Monday who hopefully can shed some light on this.  Don't be doing a lot of running if it's an allergy problem.  But I'm going to try to catch the blog up with some hikes I've taken over the last few weeks that have been real fruitful.

toadshade

The Wheezing Meltdown 5 Miler

I ran this run in a lot hotter weather and started out way to fast and under hydrated.  The result was a meltdown in the last two miles.  My swollen larynx makes it sounds like I was gasping for air which I wasn't.  The time wasn't too bad at 49:43 at 9:57 per mile.  I'm doing some catchup here so I can't remember much.  Had to cancel my half-marathon due to this crap.

toadshade

Canada Violet at Pearson's Falls

Canada Violet
Originally uploaded by toadshade

I went up with Ann-Marie to Pearson's Falls and Table Rock today to, hopefully, catch the best of the Spring Ephemerals. We timed it right. The place included, among others, Toadshade Trillium, Large-flowered Trillium, Erect Trillium, Canada Violet (pictured), two types of Toothwort, Dutchman's Breeches, Saxifrage, Yellow Violet, Foamflower and Oconee Bells (past blooming transplants). I took a few movies that are on my Flickr page that caught the cool Spring wind and the sounds of the mountain stream and Louisiana Waterthrushes. Got one of Ann-Marie with a Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

Later we went to Table Rock and walked a couple of miles of the lower trail. Heard a lot of Black-throated Green Warblers at both places. Heard a Scarlet Tanager at Table Rock and saw a lot of Sweetshrub. A lot of the fun was just riding through the Spring green of the mountains. We went from Pearson Falls down 176 to 25 and took it south to the turnoff for Jones Gap. We then drove down into the valley to see the South Carolina farm valley leading to the Saluda River in Jones Gap. We didn't go into Jones Gap but decided to go on to Table Rock for a hike. We came back by Marietta to see the Oreo Heifers but only saw one in the distance. Not enough for photo op.

I almost forgot, we ate at the headquarters for the trip, the Green River Barbeque in Saluda. A great feed which Ann-Marie loved!! It was perfect timing for wonderful trip.

toadshade