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Boxing Day Adventures

Waking up on December 26th is always a little weird to me. On Christmas Eve and then on Christmas, I wake up like, "Yay! So exciting!" and then I wake up on the 26th and kind of go...oh, right. Nothing special today.

So we decided to make the most of the day and head out for a hike at a nearby trail. I honestly felt like an idiot for not having found the trail sooner. It's PERFECT for running, gorgeous scenery and is maybe a 25 minute drive from my house. I'm definitely dragging hubby back there for a run soon.

 



The hike took us about 80 minutes for 3.75 miles, nice and slow with plenty of breaks for checking out the scenery, admiring mushrooms on trees and spotting turtle shells on the trail. That weirded me out big time. The shell was white. So now I'm wondering if:

a) The shell was old and had been bleached by the sun,
b) There are little albino turtles out there that I don't know about, or
c) That wasn't a turtle shell, I'm an idiot and it was a weird white rock or something. Who knows.



I had grand plans to do some sort of cross training after the hike, maybe some spinning or yoga. I opted to plant my butt on the couch instead, but I did bargain with  myself and walk just over 2 miles on the treadmill while reading.

And that was Day 1 of Marathon Training. Remind me not to start any grand upcoming training schedules the day after being in a food/sugar/Baileys induced coma. Thanks.

Oh! I found an awkward picture and you guys get to see it and hear the story. You're so welcome. I had to stop and pee on the trail, and naturally hid behind a tree which was maybe 4 inches across. For the record, I am bigger than 4 inches wide, so the tree did nothing. Anyway, somehow hubs got a picture of me running to catch up still buckling everything up. WHY?! Seriously. Why would you take a picture in the direction that I am peeing? The man is dangerous with a camera.



I'm curious...do any of you go hiking/running on trails alone?
I would love to head to this trail and run on my own, because it's honestly perfect. BUT - I'm not sure how I feel about going alone, because it is so deserted. Any advice on this? Would you go if you had cell reception? 

Are you "back on track" with eating and exercise after the holidays?
Yesterday I ate a Chinese buffet for lunch and Christmas leftovers for dinner, but today I finally feel ready to ingest some green items. (Besides green M&Ms, of course). Had a great run tonight as well!  
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Comments

  1. JamieDecember 27, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    Haha wow that picture is hilarious!

    I don't know if I would go running on that trail alone, my husband and I always run together though so I am a little bit spoiled. I really don't like running without him at night, but during the day I might feel safer. If you do go alone you should bring a cellphone!

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  2. NicoleDecember 27, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Back on track with the eating today and I'm happy and sad (I miss the goodies). I don't know if I'd run the trail alone, too many horror movies for me! Love the picture of you running back from peeing, husbands are great like that!

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  3. Meg O @watchmegorunDecember 27, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    i never ever do trails alone. I'm such a wimp. There's a good one only about 3 miles from my house, but I've seen some shady characters in there. No thanks! Back on track, yay! Glad you had a great holiday :)

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  4. Britt @ Chicago Runner GirlDecember 27, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    trying to get back on track. was great on the holidays, then the sweets were lingering around the house and i just cannot resist when they are staring at me for days on end. yesterday and today haven't done so well. tonights dinner was 1/2 a box of christmas dots, a reeses pb cup, a holiday hersheys mini chocolate bar, and of course a clif bar. yes that is the meal of champions right there.

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  5. Sable WeismanDecember 27, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    HAHAHA the fact that your husband decided to take that picture is HILARIOUS! Mine would do something like that. Oy.

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  6. Shellyrm ~ just a country runnerDecember 27, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    Sounds like a great way to spend the day after Christmas!

    I go out on trail alone but I like where I live has a lot to do with that. If I had someone to go with me I would go with someone to be safer.

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  7. ElleDecember 27, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    I wouldn't do a trail run alone. I don't even do city trails alone. Cell phone or not. What good is a cell phone if someone grabs you?

    So not on track with exercise with this sore back but doing pretty well food wise.

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  8. Colorado GalDecember 27, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    I go hiking and trail running by myself all the time. Just be aware of your surroundings and you should be fine :)

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  9. Neon Blonde RunnerDecember 27, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    I pee outside more often than most people would be willing to admit!!

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  10. AmyleeDecember 27, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    I'm never back on track with eating, but I'm HOPING to be back on track with the running on January 2nd. :)

    I would only run on a trail alone if I knew the area really well. I would also take mace with me and my cell phone and I probably wouldn't run where there wasn't cell recpetion. There have been some scary things happen on some of the trails around my area, so I'm a little wary.

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  11. GracieDecember 27, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    Christmas is all about eating and New Years is all about drinking, so why take a break in between? That's my view, haha!

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  12. UnknownDecember 27, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    I live in a really dangerous area with wild dogs and such. Here, I would never run alone. When I lived in georgia, I traveled the trails a lot and never had much of a problem. I say go, but carry mace for the hillbilly encounter possibilities.

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  13. Cory ReeseDecember 27, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Awesome, awesome pictures! It looks amazing there.

    I do lots of trail running and sometimes after I've been out for a few hours and I'm really in the middle of nowhere I consider the possibility that it may be a bit crazy, but after hundreds of miles on trails I've never had a time where I was scared or felt in danger (knock on wood).

    With scenery like that, I'd go for it!

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  14. Amy @ Juice Boxes + CrayolasDecember 28, 2011 at 12:57 AM

    Sounds like a beautiful hike! Love the awkward candid picture :) I totally vegged out on the couch all day yesterday, removing myself only to do some shopping--that counts as cross training, right?? But I am back on the fitness wagon today :)

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  15. MegSmith @ Cooking.In.CollegeDecember 28, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    Aw sounds like perfection! It is much too cold and snowy here to do any outdoor activities...

    I wouldn't run/hike alone but that is just because of the area I live in, I think it's totally up to you and how you feel!

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  16. BabyWiltDecember 28, 2011 at 3:06 AM

    Out in the woods ...... you SO need to get a doggie :-)

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  17. abbiDecember 28, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    My husband is very anti-'alone on trail' so I only go with others. However, there are definitely some around me that I'd go to by myself. Others, definitely would want to have someone nearby.

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  18. Ryan KnappDecember 28, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Most accidents that happen on trails are when people are ill-equipped (i.e they go out near sunset w/o a headlamp/light, they go for a 10 mile hike without enough water during the summer). I'd recommend taking a small backpack or waste bag if you are worried and you should be fine. I always leave a note in my car with what route I'm taking, mileage and how long I'm guessing I will be gone, just to be safe.

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  19. Abby @ Have Dental Floss, Will TravelDecember 28, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    You know, I'm in Canada and expected a Boxing Day explosion, but it was actually pretty underwhelming. Turns out I prefer trails to shopping almost any day :)

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  20. Running RicigDecember 28, 2011 at 8:27 AM

    I've never gone hiking alone. I think I'd freak myself out the whole time thinking there was a murderer hiding in wait. I mean, I think that when I run in the dark a half mile from my house, so it's bound to be worse in the woods right?

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  21. christaDecember 28, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    trying to get back on track. I did run 3 miles (well, walked a little too) yesterday and there are still cookies in my house. You know what that means.....

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  22. Lisa JDecember 28, 2011 at 9:15 AM

    hmm white turtle shells, interesting! There are quite a lot of trails here in Nashville, only done one of the parks, but both times I was in inappropriate attire (shorts and flip flops) so it was more of a stroll and look at the beauty. I NEED to get better- maybe its considered cross training?!?!

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  23. RaquelitaDecember 28, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    What a gorgeous place for hiking and running! I have gone on trails alone, but I grew up going out to do field research with my father who was a zoologist. It can be a little creepy, though, sometimes.

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  24. HollyDecember 28, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Ah! And there you are wearing the jacket. Thanks for the input!

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  25. SbMacDecember 28, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    In high school I used to hit the trails alone all the time being in cross country. Now 15yrs later it scares me to death. I try to go on busy trails where people are around. I also let someone know where I am and how long I plan on running. I then call when I am done. Trail runs I try to ahve someone with me though.

    I have also pee'd in the woods nore than I can count!!

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  26. LisaDecember 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    I run trails at state parks alone frequently BUT they are not primitive rural trails. They are trails at a state park and well marked. I carry my cell phone and in the winter I also carry a mylar sheet and flashlight just in case I trip and sprain my ankle and it takes me a long time to get back to the car. I know girls who carry mace with them when they trail run alone. I feel almost safer trail running alone then I do running in the big city alone.

    Nope, my eating is still off the rails - got to get that back on track and PDQ!

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  27. MalloryDecember 28, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    I am too nervous to run on trails alone. Being a woman it just makes me nervous so I'd prefer to find someone to go trail running with. Just seems safer.

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  28. KarenDecember 28, 2011 at 11:25 AM

    I've found that urban hiking trails with a lot of people are more scary than the deserted ones.

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  29. CarrieDecember 28, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I am paranoid so I probably wouldn't run on a really deserted trail alone. But it also would depend on where the trail was and I'd be way more likely to if I had cell service.

    I actually, for probably the first time ever, stayed on track with working out through the holidays. I mean, I still ate like a cow but I managed to run or bike every day. I owe it all to the motivation of virtual races!!

    Also- I think white turtles exist. Not completely sure though??

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  30. KaraDecember 28, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    I think that shell is just bleached from the sun. Also, don't touch turtles, they have salmonella on their shells and that's a good way to get some quality bathroom time if you actually touch your mouth after.

    I've gone trail running alone. As long as I don't have music, I don't worry too much. I just pay attention to my surroundings and I have my cell phone and kung fu skills as back up. Also, I normally take the dog, but I don't think she's scaring anyone.

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  31. Rachelle WardleDecember 28, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    I am so jealous of your hike. It looks absolutely amazing!! And heck no I am not back on track yet. It takes me at least 2 weeks with all of the goodies laying around. :)

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  32. AlyssaDecember 28, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    My husband took a similar picture of me shortly after I left an aid station during the 50 miler. I would be way to scared to hike or trail run alone. If I fell and got knocked unconscious, I'd be screwed. Since I'm too sick to run, the only obvious solution is to lay on the couch drinking tea and eating Christmas cookies. I could not be more off track unless I went on a heroin bender.

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  33. Laura @ LauraLivesLifeDecember 28, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I love it - I think I definitely need to start celebrating Boxing Day too!

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  34. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be MeiriDecember 28, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    I go trail running alone, but it's a well used trail, and I'm never too far from civilization. I used to go on crazy solo hikes on my dad's property, but man, how unsafe was that. I could have had to saw my arm off if things went south.

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  35. Suz and AllanDecember 28, 2011 at 7:33 PM

    The hike sounds like it was a perfect way to spend your day! Allan takes crazy pictures of me too which is why I'm hardly ever in the pictures that go on the blog.

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  36. Cait the Arty RunnerchickDecember 28, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    dang that trail looks beautiful!! i wish i had some of those near where i live! i would be a little scared (okay really) scared if i were out on a trail alone and it was getting dark, mostly because i have NO sense of direction and would wind up being someone u see on TV who gets lost, then they find her and i'm like, "uuhhh, sorry for all the hassle everyone, i just lost my sense of direction."

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  37. AnonymousDecember 29, 2011 at 9:15 PM

    I'm not really a hiker, but I would be if there was someone to hike with lol
    I am definitely back on track with my workouts, slowly but surely getting back into routine, since being sick and the holidays.

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  38. Ali McDecember 29, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Im gonna go /w bleached by sun :) bones tend to get picked clean out in the "wild" too....I once found a whole deer skull /w antlers and all that was white as...well, a bone ;) lol

    looks like a GREAT time! a hike I'd like for sure.

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