Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Wednesday Workout Update - American Tobacco Trail, and Guest Pass at Planet Sam

On Sunday, Jeff and I ran 4 miles on the American Tobacco Trail, which is this really awesome greenway/trail that runs through the Cary/Apex/Durham areas.  It was built on an abandoned railroad track and is part of the "Rails-to-Trails" program in North Carolina.  It's only open to pedestrians, bicyclists and equestrians - no motor vehicles - which makes for a very relaxing run.  It's also mostly shaded - you feel like you're running through a forest, although oddly enough, even though there were plenty of pine trees and needles on the ground, it didn't have the familiar forest scent that I am used to - I knew there were many different species of pine trees out there, but I didn't realize that some don't smell like anything!

The trail was paved on some parts and covered with a really fine, compact gravel on others...I was surprised to discover that it felt really pleasant to run on.  I did end up with some very tiny pebbles in my shoes when I was finished, but it wasn't bad enough that I needed to stop and empty them out during the run.

We walked for one mile to warm up - look how beautiful the trail is:
Jeff starting our walking warm-up - what a nice change from our usual Texas suburban runs!
Me standing by the gorgeous greenery - all kinds of ferns and whatnot.  See the pine needles on the ground?  No smell!

Then we started our run...it was fairly cool, although pretty humid, thanks to some daily afternoon thunderstorms.  A lot of the first part was either flat or downhill, which made mile 3 a bit tough - all uphill.  We were doing 1:1 intervals and I actually ran all of the uphill parts (I'm not ashamed to admit that I walk hills quite often)...the last 3/4 of mile 4 was slightly downhill, and I have to say I enjoyed that bit immensely.  My Garmin even chimed a new "record speed" for me at one point - I hit a 6:45 pace for enough seconds to register - I'm talking probably 30 seconds at the max, haha.

Finished:
Four miles ran, 1.25 walked.  Nice way to start our Sunday!

********************

Since I'm not home at the moment, I've been given a guest pass to Planet Sam - our son has a gym in his garage.  While he doesn't have a leg press, he does have a rowing machine and lots of weights.  After I ran on Sunday, I used his weights to do some arm exercises - I tried to replicate the movements/targeted muscles that I was doing on the machines at Planet Fitness, and I guess I did a good enough job because later on when I went to wash my hair, my arms were fatigued just lathering up.  It will be nice to pop down to the garage every couple of days and hopefully keep up some of the strength gains I've made since my summer of Fun, Fitness, and Friendship began.
Adjustable weights - not sure if we got them down to 10 or 15 pounds, but my arms were like jello by the time I was finished.

At one point when we were working out, Paco was with us.  Sam got on the rower to warm up, and apparently Paco wanted a ride:
I don't know what goes through my dog's head sometimes...

25 comments:

  1. Oh my so funny: Paco! I love love love it and so does Sam seeing his smile. I love it too that you brought Paco on your trip to Sam.

    And indeed what a nice trail, must be a pleasure for you both to run here for a change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These trails are a good change - we could also run on the sidewalks around here, but why not take advantage of the different environment while we can, right? :)

      Delete
  2. I thought I remembered this is when you'd be in Carolina! Enjoy your time there, it's really a beautiful state!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aw, I didn't know you were in town (and with the hubby and Paco the Wonder Dog)!!! We'll have to get together maybe next time? Also, be careful on the American Tobacco Trail...there have been some assaults on it recently (though, probably on a different leg of it) :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have to say, there's no way I'd go on that trail by myself. We ran it again this morning (went the other direction) and except for a small group of high school boys training, we were the only people out there. Not sure I'd even go on it with a girlfriend, on a weekday. Weekends, it seems like there's enough people out there to feel safer.

      Delete
  4. Planet Sam! Giggle!

    What a BEAUTIFUL train! Wow! There is a place out here with tall trees like that and I just love the way I feel when I am running on it! Interesting about no scent!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's such a different feeling, running in the trees. I'm loving it!

      Delete
  5. I know what you mean about the pine tree smell. For me, that smell IS Lake Tahoe. Most of the time I don't smell the pines here where I live. Once in a while, I will smell them (don't know if its the time of year or the weather or what) and it always makes me think "LAKE TAHOE!!"

    That is a beautiful trail. LOL at Planet Sam. And at Paco. I know--Sophie and/or Monk want to sit on my stomach when I am on the floor doing my leg exercises. I'm like "isn't this uncomfortable for you?" And they're like "no, we like this jiggly ride just fine Mom."

    Those adjustable weights are interesting. I'm so glad you're having a good time.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That trail is gorgeous! At first I thought "This is in Texas??". Not! LOL.

    You need to come up just a squidge further north and you can to my trails :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. We have three giant pine trees on our property, and none of them smell at all - weird! They do drop a lot of needles and pine cones though!

    Have fun! I love that Paco!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, so that is interesting...I thought all pine trees smelled!

      Delete
  8. Haha, Planet Sam. Those adjustable weights look like they are from Start Trek or something in the future. I love my adjustable weights, since they go up in 2.5lb increments. No excuses to move up when ready.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These move up in heavier segments - made it a little challenging to figure out what weight I was lifting. Interesting concept, though - I've never used adjustable weights before, but after the first minute, they felt very comfortable.

      Delete
  9. I like Paco's way of working out. Enjoy your trip, Shelley.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well you can hardly expect Paco to use the rowing machine on his own, he has no thumbs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. how nice of planet sam to let you bring pets :) a fit pet is a happy pet !

    ReplyDelete
  12. Paco is just a trip!! :-)

    LOVE utilizing rails to trails!!!! We have a few good ones near us (relatively speaking) that I can drive to on occasion!

    ReplyDelete

Comments are now moderated to prevent spammers from leaving, well, spam - but rest assured that as soon as I read a real comment, I will publish it. So please, comment away, even though the blog is officially closed. Thanks!