Cook's Trail

Cook's Trail is the trail that goes from Sandy Creek Nature Center to Sandy Creek Park. I've wanted to try it for awhile. It's an out and back trail that's a little less than 4 miles each way.

And today it was part of the Athens Road Runners Trail Series. I was excited to finally try it.

The group met at 6 p.m. The group's plan was to run 6 miles. To run three and then turn back, or whatever distance you wanted.

There were almost 20 people there—a good crowd. And we ran. I ran with Michael Klipper and Team Sara (Cera Jones, and Sarah Everett) and a few others. Pace was around 9:30 a mile. THEN I decided to BE CRAZY and run all of Cook's trail, which is about 4 in and then 4 back. I figured someone else would want to do the whole trail.

Nope. Just me. I ran the extra mile. And it was a hilly mile. The first half mile was OKAY and then it got mountainous. I walked the hill (So 11 minute mile)  and then I got back to normal, easy-isn pace. (It was hot. so hot!)

Overall, I really liked the trail. And you have to do the out and back. You can't get to mile 6 and hop back to your car (no giving up). So I think I'd like for my long run. I'd definitely go back. (I like it better than the lakeside trail.)

• The trail was a little muddy the day we went. Apparently it wasn't too bad.
• One of the bridges was very bouncy (watch out!) I wasn't expecting that
• It was pretty flat and not too hilly, except for in mile 3-4. That last half mile after the gate is brutal
• There's lots of boardwalk to run on. (Some of it is slippery, but not too bad)
• There's a cool section that runs UNDER the road. (HOW COOL IS THAT!?)

There were also some cool bug sculptures.

Nerdy Girl's Guide to Ice Skating

I have never been ice skating before. I grew up in the rural South. We didn't ice skate.

I went roller-skating once in my life at a rink an hour away from my house. Skating isn't something I'm familiar with.

When a friend wanted to get a group together, I decided it was time to try ice skating.

I was pretty hesitant given how accident prone I am. Skating is dangerous.

But Athens had a skating rink for a few years now and it was time.

I bundled up—I wore wool socks, my warmest leggings, a full half zip from Lululemon, a neck warmer and a cute hat from the Gap. (I hate being cold.) And I think I dressed right. I wasn't too hot or too cold.

My husband bought tickets and we headed down to the rink. They give you orange skates in your size and you go to nearby chairs and put them on. They had a plastic adjustable buckle—one on the foot one of the ankle. And it wasn't easy to adjust and put the skates on. And you want them to be snug.

Standing on the ice skates wasn't hard. I felt taller.

Then I walked out on the ice.

Well, first there was a traffic jam to get on the ice—with people not wanting to get on the ice and people taking pictures and just being in the way.

I got on the ice—and sure enough it was cold and slick. I decided to walk slowly around the rink—hand on the wall while I got used to it. About 1/4 of the way around, I got over confident and thought I could skate. I took my hand off the wall—and fell hard. I bruised my hand and thought for about two seconds that I broke my wrist. I got up. Shook it off and kept skating. I knew I was going to fall so that much was over with. The problem was I fell on my butt—but tried to catch myself with my hands and ended up bruising my palm pretty bad. That was my worst fall of the night.

If you look closely, my palm is bruised under my thumb. Not a shadow.
The lower left of my hand was bruised. Better in a week. 

I did a few more laps, still sticking to the wall but trying to not use it as much.

I felt like I'd gotten the hang of it—when my friend (was he an Olympic skater? he's awesome) came and told me to push out (the side not forward backward) and to keep my nose, toes and knees in a line. I tried it and promptly fell a second time. Not as badly. I laughed.

I was getting the hang of skating—the problem was the rink was very crowded. And crowded full of people who couldn't skate, so everyone was hugging the walls. And it was hard to pass people hanging on the wall and going to slow—or people too terrified to move.

Another downside: teenage girls. They were stopping to chat. They were skating in Red Rover chains five wide and impossible to pass. They were the ones generally causing the problems as they jammed traffic for a selfie or skated snail speed because they didn't want to be there in the first place.

I ended up falling three times and felt like I mostly got it by the time we left. I was still scared of going to fast and falling. And I haven't figured out how to stop. I'll do that next time.

For now my method of stopping is grabbing on to the wall. I went to say hi to a friend and then realized I could stop—so I almost ran into her. But the catcher from flying trapeze stopped me. Twice that night. This is why you skate with flying trapeze friends.

All in all—I had fun skating. I'd go back. (When my hand bruise heals. Though next time I might wear my climbing gloves to protect my hands.)

Matt was a pro. He saw the camera of course and got thrown off ;) 

My husband was awesome at it. He used to rollerblade. He could skate backwards. But I know this would happen. He's good at everything :)

If you go

• Go with friends. Maybe someone who show you how to skate or help you take your skates on or off.

Wear warm clothes. Maybe a hat and gloves. Don't wear jeans.

Be prepared to fall. And you want to skate with your nose, knees and toes in line. Almost a squat with your butt slightly out, because if you fall, you want to fall on your butt. And not your hands and definitely not your head.

Take breaks when you need them. I got off the ice several times to catch my breath, because I was tired etc.

Aerial Trapeze Class

Our class was not this advanced.

Today was my first day of aerial Trapeze class. Everyone in Athens raves about Canopy and I was ready for something different so I decided to give it a try.

It was as first classes are. Go around the room and say your name, stretch, learn about the equipment, and do some tricks but not too many.

The class was a diverse mix of people—all women. A few were younger. I'd say most were 30s and 40s. There were 14 people in all.

After stretches we partnered up to work on the trapezes. First, they showed us how to lower a trapeze from the wall, take it off the caribiner and adjust the height. It was all complicated and will definitely take me a few classes.

We had partners and we took turns practicing all of the skills like getting on the trapeze. You don't simply sit on it. (My logical brain was so confused.) You start on the floor and bring your knees over and pull yourself up. We practiced sitting on the trapeze and swinging playground style. We did knee hangs—both from a low trapeze with your back on the floor and then later from a higher trapeze when you could actually hang. We practiced laying back on the trapeze, standing on the trapeze (It was shakier than I thought it would be) and something that might have been called star pose—with one foot and hand on the rope, and the other two out. We tried leaning back from standing and getting down from that (think one footed squat, while balancing on a bar) and then doing a skin the cat to get down from the trapeze. The end. That was class.

Trapeze seems complicated—there are a lot steps, and placements to remember (grip your thumb around the bar, keep your thumbs up like in thumbs up, pike this way etc.) It doesn't seem overly difficult though. I wasn't tired or winded afterwards. And perhaps I was expecting it to be more fun? (Like trampoline, acro or gymnastics. All super fun for the first class.)  I guess it could be more fun later.  For my first class, I wasn't wowed. But then again a good foundation is important. We'll see how the next class though.

Acro Yoga: First class

I tried my first acro yoga class. It was fun. And maybe more my speed than normal yoga. I'm all about tricks. 

It's at a yoga studio that seems pretty popular—there were tons of people coming out when I came in. It had a very casual atmosphere and the people there seemed friendly and welcoming. 

The class started out with going around the room and introducing yourself—we had a lot of new people. (Wherever I go, there are Canopy people and pole studio people. Maybe I roll with the adventurous crowd?). 

Then it yoga style stretching (lunges, stretching hip flexors) and abs (touch for toes, bent knees, V-ups and then banana rolls). 

Finally, it was on to tricks. We learned bird pose and folded leaf.  

(*Pix are from Friday at Aerofit—not the class)

Bird pose. Once you balance you can take your hands away.

Bird pose is where a flyer balances on the base's feet. The flyer has to keep their core and feet super tight and stay very balanced.

I tried basing for this one and I was terrible. I couldn't get the balance right. You lay on the ground and keep your legs up, inline over your hips, and at a 90 degree angle. 

Folded leaf, before the flyer is fully folded. 

Folded leaf, is where the flyer balances upside with their feet in a straddle. 

This one isn't as hard to base. The weight is in the flyer's legs, so I was more successful basing this one, but I was one of the smaller girls in the class.

Throne pose. The flyer wraps her legs around the bases legs, sits  back and balances. The leg bones stack together for this one to work. 

We also tried throne and cartwheel. I attempted shoulder stands, which was probably too advanced for me. Maybe next time?

This might be a shoulder stand. I sure wanted to try this one.

The class was difficult enough to pose a challenge athletically. I just need to remind myself not to get frustrated when I don't get something perfectly the first time. (The curse of being a perfectionist and uncoordinated!) 

Random thoughts: Is it weird to climb on people for exercise? And shouldn't former cheerleaders be all over this?

Hazards: I should add that when I got home, my skin was red on my stomach where I was balancing on people's feet. So were my shoulders. But it faded.

Quick guide to acro yoga:

Verdict: A really interesting class that I was telling all my friend about. I need to learn these poses! Also the instructors are awesome. 

Atmosphere: Friendly, laid back, welcoming and helpful. Everyone was so  great. 

Intensity: Doesn't feel intense at the time (except for small bursts when trying new holds), but my shoulders were sore the next day.

Price: It's a $5 donation class. So awesome. 

What to wear: Workout clothes. A tight fitting top might be good if you don't want it to ride up when you're upside down or inverted. It's yoga so you do it bare foot so no need for socks and shoes. 

Would I go again? Yes, though it might be more fun with friends. So come with me! I selfishly thought it was more fun to fly, so maybe I need the hubby to come with me.

If you go: Bring a yoga mat, know you're going to climb all over other people, and don't get frustrated if you don't get something the first time. Also, you might crash and fall. That's okay too! The floor is padded and the people are all super nice. 

Acro-yoga

Me getting out of crown pose. 

Until a few weeks ago, I didn't know there was such a thing as acro yoga. Then a few new people came to my tumbling class and they were all very impressive: doing back rolls on the first try, rolling up to a handstand even, getting the back kick overs, front walk overs. They were all strong and flexible and I was curious where they worked out that they could effortlessly do these gymnastics exercises the first time. After class, we were stretching and they started doing tricks. I couldn't look away. This tiny girl was balancing on a guy's feet. A very strong greying women, took one of the instructors up on here feet and showed her a trick. Then they invited everyone to acro yoga Sunday at their studio.

I felt like I needed to know more. I wanted to go. I LOVE learning new tricks. But I could potentially be horrible at this, so I needed to bring a friend. But I couldn't find anyone that Sunday—and it was a holiday. So I filed it away under things to eventually try.

Well, two girls from acro yoga came to Aerofit today. So I had to try a move. So I sat on Julie's feet.  It was both easy and slightly terrifying. I just wanted to get down. And try a harder move all at once.

I'm supposed to go to acro yoga with two friends from Aerofit Sunday night at Rubber Soul yoga studio. We'll see how it goes. 

(*Also, Julie is such a good teacher. Love her. She's almost talked me in to trying Leap Flying Trapeze where she works. Now, I just need to save up the money for the $45 class.) 

All about kayaking

I’m not sure if I’ve ever been kayaking before. I’ve been canoeing and rafting—but not since I was a teenager. But today I tried kayaking with a group of friends—and for May in Georgia the water was unseasonably cold. My lips were blue when we were done. All I wanted was soup.

For this trip I drove up to a little North Georgia town and drove down a lot of dirt roads until I finally came to the kayaking post. (The drive itself was an adventure.) You sign in, give them your keys (so you don’t lose them on the river), pick out a life jacket and wait for them to call your group. Then, they drive your group on an old mini school bus (it’s doors didn’t fully close) to the top of the river. (I especially liked the guy in front of us trying to smoke on the bus.)

You get off the bus, pick a kayak and a paddle and the push you out on the river.

At this particular place, there was no safety video and no instruction video of any kind. And I had NO IDEA how to kayak.

And immediately, there are rapids in the river. I have no idea what I’m doing. I attempt to paddle through the rapids like everyone else. I keep my core tight, arms strong and PRAY not to flip. I make it through the first two sets (it’s just staying upright). But the water sprays me and the water is freezing.

Of course I'm the dorkiest looking one in a dry-fit shirt, hat and glasses.

It’s cold so I decided the most practical outfit was dri-fit shorts and a long-sleeve T. The shirt, despite being light weight and dri-fit, was immediately soaked through and more annoying than helpful.

So I freeze for the rest of the canoe ride. And after the first two rapids, the river calms down. Without even paddling the kayak just drifts along, which would be great except I’m way ahead of the group I’m with and I keep paddling back. I try using the paddle as a brake, but it’s no good. I can’t figure out how to go slow.

One of the girls in our group flips her kayak. Another almost loses her kayak, banked against a river rock when we stopped to take a break. The guy in our group has a busted kayak that’s taking on water and not draining.

Finally, we all get so cold we decide to race back to the outpost. And I feel almost warm. And we’re moving at the speed I want to go.

We put up the kayaks and are done—apparently in record time. (I thought the trip time could easily be halved, but apparently I don’t understand the concept of floating lazily down the river with a beer).

The outpost has warm showers (hallelujah!) and we decide to drive home and get food. (It took me an hour after getting out of the water to feel my toes.)

So I survived kayaking.

Quick guide to kayaking

Verdict: I was expecting it to be so slow paced or cold. It sounded more adventurous than it was and I felt like I got zero workout.

Atmosphere: Casual (possibly too casual)

Intensity: Small bursts, but mostly not intense.

Price: Okay. $25 per person. I had a deal for $12.

What to wear: I haven’t figured this one out myself. A bathing suit, sun block, water shoes or sandals. I wore a hat (that wasn’t necessary) and had my sunglasses on croakies.

Would I do it again? Maybe. On a hot day with a group of people who want to race to the finish.

If you go: Bring a cooler for snacks and drinks along the river. Keep a towel and dry clothes in your car for afterwards. And check the weather forecast. Hope you have fun!