Trail Run: Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle

Since I had off work on Monday, I took myself on a little adventure. I checked out a new to me section of the Appalachian Trail in Hamburg, PA. This section of the trail was going to reward me with two rock outcroppings overlooking beautiful Pennsylvania farmland: Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle.

The day felt like summer for two reasons. First, I had nothing to do and all day to do it. Second, the weather was warm and sunny. I pulled into the crowded parking area by the Hamburg Reservoir a little before noon, clipped on my hydration pack, and headed up the gravel road to the AT.

I wasn't sure how much of the trail I'd be able to run and how much I'd have to hike. I was hoping to be able to mostly run and that's what ended up happening.

It was easy to follow the white blazes for the AT up the mountain. I walked a couple steep sections, but for the most part I was able to chug along. As I approached Pulpit Rock, it got really rocky and I had to hike. I passed a young couple and they pointed out a porcupine hiding in a bush. (See, those are the things you miss when you are trail running as opposed to hiking and taking the time to smell the roses!)

If it were summer I'd be so afraid of snakes on these rocks!

The view from Pulpit Rock was breathtaking! I know I always talk about how beautiful Colorado and Northern California are, but PA does not disappoint either!

Not quite the elevation of Colorado...

Approaching...

While enjoying the views, I started chatting with two other hikers. I took their picture overlooking the view and they took one of me. The women told me they were going to text the picture of them to their former colleagues. Turns out they are retired elementary school teachers. School was in session that day for their district, so they wanted to send them a little picture of what retirement looks like! (And they were probably trying to rub it in a little too!) We chatted for a bit about teaching and then I was on my way. I still had a lot of miles left to go!

I continued north on the AT along the ridge line. It got very rocky and I had to walk some sections so I wouldn't twist an ankle. There were also some areas with boulders and I got a little confused about which way to go. I never got lost, just had to look carefully for the next white blaze. After about two miles, I made it to the enormous rock cairn and knew The Pinnacle was close!

AT

Rock Cairn

The Pulpit overlook was amazing but The Pinnacle was even better! It was just more vast and open! There was a rowdy group of hikers enjoying the view as well but luckily they left after a few minutes. I hate when people are loud at beautiful overlooks. I feel like one should respect nature and be quiet.

I found a spot on the rock outcropping and chilled out for a bit. I took a couple pictures, had some water, and just enjoyed the beautiful views and the beautiful weather. Whenever I discover new extraordinary places, I always think about the people I want to take there. I was making a mental note in my head of all the people I wanted to show this spectacular view.

After enjoying the views, onward I went! I continued on the AT. The trail was wide and not rocky at all! After lots of climbing during the previous sections, this part was an enjoyable gradual downhill! The next couple miles were absolutely effortless!

After 2.5 miles I came to an open grassy area that I later learned was used as a helipad. At this point I could go straight to continue on the AT or veer off to the left to the Furnace Creek Trail. I went left because I knew this trail would take me back to the parking lot.

Helipad area

This new trail was also wide and was a gradual downhill. It went along Furnace Creek. There was lots of rhododendron, which I absolutely love! 

After 1.5 miles I came to the Hamburg Reservoir, which was very pretty and I wasn't expecting it! I ran around the reservoir and continued on the gravel road to get back down to my car. (I ran around the parking lot a couple times to make the journey an even 9 miles, because I am anal like that!)

I can't tell you how enjoyable this run was! If you have the time and the physical capabilities, I highly recommend you checking our The Pulpit and The Pinnacle! This link gives you some helpful information on planning your day!

I spent the rest of the day relaxing. What a difference two hours makes!

Well, Hello!!!!!

Wow. It's been almost two months since I posted on Meg Go Run. It seems like a lifetime ago. But now that I think about it, it makes sense. When I was posting daily, my life was completely different. Meg Go Run represents a part of my life that just doesn't exist anymore. That's neither good nor bad. It just is. Life changes. Life moves on.

But just typing and editing that last paragraph makes me realize how much I miss writing! I started writing fictional stories in elementary school. (I still have many of them tucked away!) I started journaling at a very young age and have every journal I have ever written . (Are you impressed!? If so, maybe you better thank my mother!!!)

Writing has always been part of my life. I think that is because reading has always been part of my life. I really believe avid readers make good writers. It worked for me, at least.

When I started Meg Go Run, my life was set. Things were comfortable. It was easy to share and overshare. Meg Go Run started out as a fitness and running blog but it became much more than that. I am comfortable with everything I have shared over the past 7 (ish) years. In fact, I can't tell you how cool it is that I can use my blog to look back on different parts of my life and training and understand what I was thinking and feeling during that time. It is like an online journal!

Since I last spoke to you, some things have changed.

1. I started my 15th year teaching elementary music. Teaching isn't the same as it was even five years ago. I am burnt out. Teaching is such an emotional job and I feel like I have no more emotion to give. But I am tenured. I am established. I am good at what I do. I have health insurance. I have good benefits. In my heart, I know it is okay to not be in love with my job, but I feel like if you are a teacher, people judge you if you are not in love with your job. You know what I say to that? WHATEVER. Teachers are not martyrs. We are people. I can do my job and be good at my job and not be in love with my job. That's where I'm at. Judge me if you want. Actually, before you judge me, come do my job for a day. Then you can tell me your opinion!

2. I'm still a super speedy runner! As you know, I got pretty fast this past winter and it extended into spring and summer. Now fall has arrived and my speedy paces feel even more effortless because it is cooler. I definitely don't always feel like getting up at the ass crack of dawn to run, but once I am out there on the road, I feel awesome. I'm in really good shape. My next race is Hyner in April 2020, so honestly, this speediness is strictly for my own enjoyment.

3. I may start going to therapy every other week. I love my therapist. He has helped me through the most difficult times in my life. But thankfully, things have settled down and we both feel like bi weekly therapy sessions are the next step. I am so thankful that I have health insurance that enables me to get the mental health care I need when I need it. I am also thankful for my therapist who has invested in me and helped me so much.

That's all I got for now! It's not a completely transparent update of my life but it's what I'm comfortable sharing right now!

Please, please, please, if you are compelled at all, comment and tell me about YOU! I want to know what's going on in your life! Brag! Or tell me your hardships! Or just give me an update! Even if you never commented on this blog before, tell me something going on with YOU! I care. I swear, connecting with others is the coolest thing Meg Go Run has ever brought to me!

teacher people

Women Are Wonderful.

Women are wonderful, and they are amazing and they are everything we wish we could be. I am so thankful to have so many strong, compassionate, bad ass women in my life. If you know me, know you are one of those wonderful women, and know I want to be just like you!!!!

Something I Don't Normally Do!

This afternoon, I'm doing something I don't normally do. I'm spending the afternoon in bed relaxing!

I am thankful that this summer has been filled with lots of work and lots of play... so much so that it has been since early June that I have had a night with nothing to do!

Usually, I'm a "go, go, go" type of person. And I did get my share go "go, go, go" today. I spent the morning chilling with my boyfriend. Then I went for a super speedy and scorching run around my neighborhood. Later in the afternoon, I met some friends for lunch at Pizza Boy Brewery. When I got home, I did a couple household chores. But I was tired and didn't have any plans for the rest of the evening. What's a girl to do? Text some friends and schedule something fun? Sure, that was an option. But for the first time this summer, I wanted to just chillax!!!

At 4:30, I got into my jammies and climbed into bed with my laptop, phone, and a cider. It didn't take long for the kitties to hop up for some cuddles. Jelly curled up at my feet and Chrissy (the more "In Your Face" type of cat) wrapped himself under my arm.

I spent a lot of time messing around on the internet. Finally, I got hungry and watched Big Brother as I prepared myself a Drunk Girl Salad. (Lettuce, cucumber, tomato, peppers, onion, hard boiled egg, ground turkey, black beans, BBQ chips, and Greek vinaigrette!)

Now I'm back in my bed. As soon as I hit publish, I'm going to eat my salad and finish Big Brother. I feel a little lazy for just spending the night laying around, but in my heart I know that's healthy to do that sometimes!

I hope you are having a great Friday night, whether it's out and on the go or chilling at home and relaxing!

Oh, and I hope to blog more soon!

2 days and 2 trail runs!

On Wednesday, I got up early before piano lessons and ran 8 miles on the Appalachian Trail. I parked at Trindle Road and did my usual route North. This section is very runable and takes me through my favorite spot on the AT!

It wasn't buggy and the weather was nice and cool. I only passed three people over the course of 8 miles!

On Thursday, I took my grand old time waking up, relaxing, and doing chores. Finally around 1:30, I hit the trail. I parked at Sherwood and ran North up the mountain. This is a very challenging route, but when I get to the top, I feel like such a bad ass!

It was cool in the woods. I passed one hiker right when I was about finished. He smelled disgusting so I figured he was out there for the long hall.

I was going to call this post, "3 days and 3 trail run!" because I thought I would run trail today. I want to go down to Caledonia State Park and do some of the AT down there. But I don't feel like driving today. I think I will try to do that on Sunday. I can't wait!

Today my workout plan is to run 6 miles in my neighborhood. I really need to lift. Like really need to lift. I have been slacking. Perhaps I will also do a deck of cards workout and incorporate some push ups? Sounds like it's going to get crazy in my carport!!!

Meg Go Run Updates!

Hello, All!

Here are some updates about my summer. I'm going to tell you a couple random things, but I'm also going to refer back to my Summer Goals to let you know how those are going. This is just an all around checking in post, which I feel is MUCH NEEDED. Here we go!!!

I turned 37 a couple weeks ago and I am feeling FABULOUS!

It's several weeks into season 21 of Big Brother and I'm not really enjoying this season. I hope it gets better! But I'm still watching the episodes and immersing myself in the daily podcasts and reddit threads.

I haven't been on any trips since my girl's week at the beach. I would really like to do a two day getaway somewhere before the summer is over.

My appetite has been weird. I'm totally over quiche and the other foods I was eating this past school year. Luckily, I found some new recipes I like! One is avocado egg salad. The other is avocado, egg, and tuna salad! I'll share the recipes in a future post!

I'm still going to therapy and that is going well. I also visited my PCP to tell her about some anxiety I've been having and the unhealthy ways I have been coping with it. She suggested a daily anti anxiety med to help chill be out a bit, so I have been on that for nearly a month.

I have a boyfriend! I'm not ready to elaborate too much about this on the blog, but I will tell you that he is absolutely wonderful and he treats me so well. We have a lot of fun together. He's a bit younger than me, but age aint nothin' but a thaaaaaaang right!?

I am spending a lot of time with my nieces and nephew. I hang out with them while my SIL runs or bikes. I love these kiddos! They are so smart and fun. They also get along really well and behave for me!

As far as summer goals, I had five...

1. Visit new trails. I have visited some new trails but I could do a lot better with this goal. There is still time left this summer so I hope to get out there more.

2. Run up Flat Rock by myself. I did it! I didn't run the whole time (I would say that's impossible for me to do!) but I made it to the top pretty quickly and I felt like a bad ass doing it!

3. Spend lots of time with friends. I am so thankful I have been connecting with so many friends this summer! In fact, today I'm going to see my friend Emily who I've been friends with since elementary school!

4. Learn how to cook tofu. Another completed task! However, I don't make tofu a lot because I've been experimenting with other recipes (as I mentioned above).

5. Learn the Maple Leaf Rag on the piano. I know the first page by memory and can play it pretty fast. I will admit my summer got busy and I have not tackled the rest yet. But there is still time! Three pages to go!

What have you been up to this summer!?