LRM Training Run #6, 7 Miles While Camping

LRM Miles Trained To Date: 25

See, I do have a life outside running! This weekend (Friday-Sunday) my husband, my dog and I went camping with three other families. We went to Petit Jean State Park, which is about 2 hours from our home. It was the best camping trip I've ever experienced. The weather was great, the campsite had a heated bathhouse, and everything went smoothly. Arkansas in the fall is amazing!

Even though we put in a full day's work on Friday, we were the first to arrive. Once everyone else arrived and got set up, we all sat around a campfire and enjoyed steaks and baked potatoes that Chasen did a wonderful job cooking. We all turned in after all that. Willie-dog got to enjoy the non-heated warmth of our tent (the other three tents were heated!)

On Saturday morning we slept in a bit. When we got up the others were preparing breakfast. I had a few bites of Chasen's eggs and bacon, and then I left for my 7-mile longrun. I had prepared a loop course from the USATF website, but it was foiled because a road was out due to bridge repair. So I did an out-and-back course. Well let me tell you something... they don't call it Petit Jean Mountain for nothing! This was the most hilly run I have ever accomplished. I am proud to say that on the way out I took every hill. I mean I TOOK them - I just gritted my teeth and dug into the road and got the job done. On the way back, though, I decided it was OK to walk as necessary since I didn't have a cape on my back. Ha!

Mile 1: 12:06

Mile 2: 12:17

Mile 3: 12:31

Mile 4: 14:00

Mile 5: 14:11

Mile 6: 13:53

Mile 7: 12:09

Total Run: 1:31:13

Average: 13:01 per mile

When I returned (see the first photo) I had a good breakfast and then took a much needed shower (thank heavens for the bathhouse). We all got ready and headed out to the park's playground so the little kids (and us big kids, too) could enjoy ourselves. There we had a picnic. Then we went on to hiking trails and scenic vistas (see the second photo - that's my family).

On Saturday night we sat around an even better campfire and enjoyed homemade gumbo (cooked by a genuine Cajun!) and homemade cornbread (cooked by a genuine runner). We listened as our Arkansas Razorbacks beat the South Carolina Gamecocks. Whoo pig sooieeee! After smores and hot apple cider, we all turned in.

Today we got up, packed up, cleaned up, had a final breakfast, and headed home. It was a great weekend