They say what you do on New Year’s Day is what you end up doing all year long – so I jump started my 2016 with travel! I hit the road to see my family in Summerville, SC. When I arrived, my stepmom had all the traditional Southern New Year’s Day food going on the stove top; collard greens, black eyed peas, rice, ham, cornbread – the works. She even made mac n’ cheese, since that’s one of the few foods I would eat when I was a picky 8 year old.
The next day I woke up and immediately threw on running clothes. The trick to sticking to a training plan when you travel is to get it out of the way first thing in the morning. I knew if I sat down to breakfast, I’d overeat and not want to work out. I jumped in my car and headed for a nearby trail I had looked up online called Sawmill Branch Trail.
My previous run in Fort Myers was cut short by an intense side stitch and dehydration. The muggy, hot air was not agreeing with me that day, but the cooler weather in South Carolina had me feeling optimistic about this run. Plus, the trail had some great reviews online.
Unfortunately, I forgot how much cold air slows me down and I tried to keep up with a speedy older man who glided right past me. Eventually I paced myself and decided to just enjoy the scenery.
There was also this neat strength training area for push ups, dips, pull-ups, etc. It was too cold out for me to mess with all of that so I kept running, logging a short 3 miles.
What’s the best travel run you’ve had?
Did you know that the lamp posts in Central Park are numbered – and the last two digits will tell you what street you’re at?