Tag Archives: fitness

Running/Hiking

#BloodMountain Shelter being renovated – on the #AppalachianTrail – quick #hike today

November 11, 2011 – 9:56 pm

Mountain ViewToday I took a break – and walked a few miles up Blood Mountain.  Its one of my favorite day hikes.  At this point it only takes me a few hours and gives me what I need: elevation, exercise, fresh air and a view to contemplate the big picture.  Blood Mountain sits in the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia, not far from Blairsville.

Its a minor peak at 4,458 feet – walking up from the trailhead at US highway 19/129 near the The Walasi-Yi Center – Mountain Crossings is only 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,800 from the Byron Reece Memorial trailhead, 1,300 if you go from Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center . Neels gap is the only place on the AT that goes through a man made structure – built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the thirties.  Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the AT in Georgia.  Interesting factoid – my grandfather, Anthony Capizzi who is 95 years old worked in the CCC when he was a teen. Jim hiking on the AT

I walked up to the peak to find that they are renovating one of the oldest shelters on the AT – a stone edifice that has been around since 1934 when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built it.  I’ve provided some shots here of it in 2006 and then today under renovation.  This is one of my favorite places as so many interesting parts of my experience on the AT have happened here. My first walk in the woods on the AT with Andrew Kaplan back in 2002 culminated here. Daniel and I have come up here many times and I first saw the character in his soul as he walked around cleaning up litter as a tiger scout handing it to a local ranger – because he wanted to. Years later we lumber up as two experienced hikers and campers – just plain comfortable out there.  Now its a day hike for me – a respite from things that matter to things that really matter.  My big picture, eagle, horizon view; contrasted to the respite I have in my back yard, insect view, looking inward and contemplating how every day counts. under renovation

Stats:
Byron Reece Memorial 2:08PM, 3,125ft
Walked 2.5 miles to Blood Mountain Summit and Shelter 4,461ft, 2.4 Miles – arrived at 3:00PM
Walked 2.5 miles back to Trailhead, arrived at car 3:50PM

 

 

 

 

Before Renovation

This is the shelter in 2006 before it was renovated

Its Shabbot – and today as we lit the candles, had our wine and partake of the bread – I thanked God for all we have and the day of rest – and I reflected on the day. Thanking God for the health I have, the family in front of me and the freedom to enjoy all that nature provides.  And I thanked the veterans who kept this country free – for you and for me.

Shabbot Shalom

Here is Daniel in 2006 enjoying the day with me

Here is the front of the shelter - under renovation

View from the top of Blood Mountain 2011

On the way up to Blood Mountain - trail head

 

 

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Running/Hiking

Beautiful #Boston #Run – 6.2 miles from the commons to the river

November 8, 2011 – 9:42 am

I had a fantastic run today from the Boston Commons to the Esplanade along the river.  I had set out to run 5 miles but among the autumn foliage and fresh crisp air I suddenly looked down at my watch to see that I had already ran 3.5 before I turned around.  At the end:

Distance: 6.21 mi
Time: 48:41
Avg Pace: 7:51 min/mi
Elevation Gain: 26 ft

Details on Garmin Connect

Since I had run a little longer than I wanted I decided to make it a 10K and the speed was good, maybe I will try for a race sometime soon.

I ended up stopping in the Commons to walk around and take in the scenery.  The leaves were beautiful, this is truly something special – people were walking to work, taking time off, running, playing – dogs, bikes, rollerblades… You name it.

The run started out slow and confused – coming from the Omni its crowded, but when I found the commons that became easy.  When you get to the corner of Beacon and Arlington look across the street for the White Trail.  I kind of ran around confused for a minute but found the spiral Arthur Fiedler foot bridge to take me across the highway.  That brings you into the Arthur Fiedler memorial area – a cool sliver statue of him.  To the right is the Esplanade, to the left the Dudley White bike path – across the stone foot bridge you can run along the Charles River on the Esplanade – I did that.

This path goes a pretty long way – I imagine you could take it all the way to Harvard. Maybe next time I will take a long slow distance run and do that.

The fall foliage was somewhat gone, but there were enough trees left with leaves of color.

I enjoyed the crew rowers in the river, the dog walkers chatting with each other, the serious and not-so-serious runners chugging by.  If you go to Boston – don’t fight the traffic, walk along the river and enjoy the scenery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Running/Hiking

Hills Baby! 5 Mile Loop in Dunwoody

October 29, 2011 – 6:20 pm

Nice track, last week I saw runners coming out of Mt. Vernon Lake Dr. while doing my usual down Mt. Vernon and decided to check it out. So today rather than the boring up and back I usually do up Mt. Vernon with the mile up and mile down at the start and finish ( a lot of flat in-between); I ran this loop that had some tough but interesting hills along the way.

I enjoyed it – gave me motivation to work on more than miles and smiles but strength and stamina.

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Running/Hiking

Vibram fivefingers

July 11, 2011 – 8:19 am

First run today with a pair of Bikila LS Vibram FiveFingers running and training shoes. Went two miles on mostly sidewalk up hill and down hill. First mile uphill 9:31 141bpm and second mile downhill 9:04 151bpm. Fastest pace was 7:33/mile. It was not as hard as expected and it actually felt good. I’m taking the studies advice and starting slow. Today would have been a 4-5 mile day at about an 8:30 pace.

I needed a pair of light closed toe camp shoes and a pair of water shoes for backpacking (strap on the pack aside from boots). These seemed like a good compromise and they were on sale at REI. So I got to reading and as I do have a normal strike and stride but somewhat flat feet, the science behind barefoot running seemed interesting to me. Strengthen my feet, calf, thigh muscles. I ran 6 today in my Sauconys but think I will work these in as I would have speed and strength workouts in high school training.

This also marks the first post from my iPhone. Using the WordPress App.

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