It was probably the worst day of summer yet. If it didn't hit 90, it was near 90. It was incredibly muggy too. I started around 2 PM and of course went without a shirt. The plan was for a short 5 miler. With some mountain climbing, it wouldn't exactly be easy though.I'm clearly never going to be good in the heat. Maybe I can get better though. I made sure to drink a lot before the run. I also blasted my car AC, to the point where I was actually a little chilly. I think basically headed right out to run.
The beginning is easy trail, but it is exposed for a bit. I ran, but went super slow, so I wouldn't wear myself out. I had a handheld, but that was it.
It wasn't long and I was back into the woods and on the Woodpecker Trail. This is semi technical and I was worried about hidden rattlesnakes around the rocks. I never saw any. I was surprised that I basically ran all of this. When it was snow covered, it was too difficult. Now, it wasn't too steep.
The same thing happened when I got on to the AT. Again, it was rocky and steep. However, it wasn't as steep as I remembered it and I was able to run on it a bit. I didn't think I'd be able to run on it at all. I cool whether, I may even be able to run most of it.
I picked my way up the AT and began to eventually hike to the AT shelter. I was definitely hot and sweating a lot, but not as much as I expected. I was surviving and wondering if the pre cooling was helping. It may have and I might have to try more techniques again.The trail flattens out by the shelter, so I used that to run. Some hikers were at the shelter already and I think surprised that I was running. However, they obviously didn't know I was hiking a lot too.
I had to hike more after the shelter. Not long after that though, the AT starts rolling. It was much more runnable, although still a lot of uphill. I ran and hiked.
At one point, I noticed some scat on the trail. It looks like bear scat, so I was very bear aware after that. I didn't see one though. I continued on.
I had hoped to actually get out to 2 or 2.5 miles. For some reason, the trees had not sprouted yet very much on this side of the mountain. That made it much hotter for me. I had to hike some and take cover in shade at times.
While I was hot, I was cautious and not overdoing it. I pushed myself on to 1.75 miles and that was enough for now. I headed back downhill. I proceeded slowly and felt much better with a breeze and easy running now.
I got to the intersection of the blue blazed North Trail. This is much steeper than the AT, so I saved it until now, when I was recovered after the downhill. I had to hike most of the way up this. I got over 1200 feet of gain by doing so.I then turned and ran down. The descent was a little hot, but fun. It is rocky, but not too bad. I'm so used to technical terrain now. I feel as though I'm getting much better on it.
Instead of going back on the Woodpecker Trail, I stayed on the AT. That would add about a mile, as I'd run briefly on some road. The AT is eventually exposed and very hot. The scenery was great though.
I ran along the road and then turned and ran the road into the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. I looped around the building and finished up. I was over 4.5 miles and satisfied with my workout. The heat certainly impacted my run, but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I did make sure to get in the shade and drink a lot of water afterward. Cranking the AC in the car helped too.
It was a productive day. Tomorrow is a big day. Ryan and Kobey are meeting me at Mt. Tammany. I'm going to plan for 4 loops. Ryan is trying to push me to do 5 loops. I just want to be careful and not overheat. I'll rest between loops and cool myself off a lot. Going in the morning might help too. I hope it is a fun day and not a disaster. Some Trail WhippAss people will be there too.
4.65 miles - 1:06:12 (14:14 pace) 1224 feet of elevation gain
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