Monday, November 04, 2019

I found my winter challenge!!!

I found my winter challenge!!!  Why yes I did!   We have been talking about how we want to stay active throughout the winter and not let the cold weather keep us from getting outside and moving.  We have talked about substituting hikes for the bike rides when the weather gets to cold or snowy. We have both been happy with this plan and actually have looked forward to hiking again!

Well this past weekend was a bit cooler so we laced up the hiking boots and out we went!  I had never been to Greenbriar...a local park that has a lake and hiking trails.  So off we went.  It started off deceivingly easy with a path/trail around the lake. But then we veered off onto the red trail. 


And oh boy did it get rough!  It was a STEEP incline.  Like stair step steep...but not steps!  Eventually it did level out!  (but it was a bit of a rollercoaster the rest of the way...down a bit,  up a bit....down a lot..up a lot!)  Adding to the joys of the trail were the rocks.  This trail was ROCKY!  Now in all honesty, this MAY not be a problem when there are not leaves covering everything on the ground.  But with the leaves on the ground it was hard to see the rocks and thus it was difficult to place your feet accordingly so that you were not stumbling and constantly off balance.




But even with the difficulties....it felt AMAZING to be out in the woods on a crisp cool day!

So my challenge?  I need to return to that trail and I want to be able to power up the trail without my calves screaming in freakish agony.  I want to be able to practically dance up the trail without my lungs feeling like they are going to burst.  I want to be able to talk and even sing (should I choose) instead of breathing like a steam train.   Sure I've already conquered that hill....but I want to be the boss of that hill!!!!!

So welcome to my challenge!   Lets get hiking!

16 comments:

mxtodis123 said...

That sounds like a great challenge. I would love it. Wish I could hike like I used to.

Unknown said...

Sounds like a great challenge!!! Happy November!

Anonymous said...

Good for you....sounds much more fun than biking !! Gorgeous photos!

Midwest Cowgirl

Shelley said...

Wait, isn't the point of a hike to make you feel huffy and out of shape? It's NOT? Well I have been doing it wrong, LOLOLOL. What a good challenge for you - I like that you are making the effort to be active outside during the upcoming winter months.

Mary said...

Snowshoeing is good exercise too, if you get enough snow!

MaryFran said...

It should be a good challenge for me! I just know that I don’t want to fall into the winter slump and gain...or lose any ground I have gained in my fitness levels!

MaryFran said...

Thanks!

MaryFran said...

Biking has been rough lately so I would agree...ag the moment. But I’m reality...biking and the speed and thrill is fun also! Just in different ways!

MaryFran said...

Point well taken! Hahaha. I am going out there to push myself to my limit! Hahaha. I keep forgetting that fact!!! I want it to be easy!

MaryFran said...

I have always wanted to try snowshoeing!!!

Lynn said...

Jealous! I'd like to spend the winter hiking without dragging along snowshoes or skis.

Sarah said...

Great winter challenge. It's going to be beautiful.

I just can't do the cold weather lol.

Tiffany said...

That sounds like a wonderful challenge and looks so pretty from the pictures.

Anonymous said...

I love hiking but I didn’t do any this year. Walking & hiking can be challenging. Some people may say it looks easy. Well I can say that one summer all I did was walk and I lost 20 pounds. So if you think it won’t get you in shape and/or lose weight think again as it will.

Paula C

KB said...

Great challenge and the view is worth it

peppylady (Dora) said...

Lot of our trees are marked in national and state lands to be harvest or saved. Usual the roads they keep clear in winter so getting out is fairly safe.
But Jan and or Feb they have melt down and it becomes slippery.
My youngest son does snow shoeing.

Coffee is on