Week 2 - We Are On a Roll!

Week 2 of Trail Running Weekly with Lanae was spent at Barton Creek Greenbelt, aka, "The Greenbelt". If you are interested in the outdoors and you live in the Austin area, you have most likely heard of the wonders of the Greenbelt and have maybe even hiked or run all or parts of it. If not, you are missing out! And maybe, with today's blog, I can convince you to get out there and experience this gem for yourself.

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day to be outside for a run. Clear, blue skies and a brisk 40-some degrees at the start. There hadn't been any rain or moisture to speak of this week in Austin, so the trails were in perfect condition today.

Lanae's first time on the Greenbelt was also met with her first experience climbing the "Hill of Life". The Hill of Life is yet another one of those iconic Austin challenges that anyone, familiar with trail running in Austin, knows about. If they know about it, they may have also been reduced to tears by the top of the hill, but most definitely they are reduced to a puddle of sweat - even on the coldest of Austin days!

Nothing to sneeze at, the Hill of Life is a hearty climb of more than a 1/3 of mile at 13.2% grade, with a elevation gain of 277ft. This may not sound especially rough, especially if you like to climb or you live in Colorado and have unlimited, tough climbs all around you, but here in Austin, it is unique.

I chose not to mention beforehand to Lanae that we would be doing a tough climb amidst our run today. In fact, I did not even tell her what we were doing until we got to the top!! 🙊😬 Not that she didn't figure it out on her own after about 4 minutes of running uphill, but you could definitely psych yourself out if your running buddy suddenly tells you: "keep going - only 4 or 5 more minutes of running straight uphill!!".

Yes, I am a rotten friend - I fully admit it! But, I know Lanae well enough to know that had I mentioned we would be doing a tough climb, she would have worried about it and probably even dreaded it. That is no way to start out a positive trail run experience! Ignorance can sometimes be a very good thing when headed out for a run you have never done before.

We ran for probably what was close to half the hill, then dropped down to more of a slow scurry, then finally walked the last 2-3 minutes. I have never been able to run the entire Hill of Life, but I sure would like to do that one day! If I could get out here more often, I think I could do it eventually.

Despite the tough climb - legs and lungs burning, buns and quads screaming - we made it to the top! I informed Lanae that she was no longer a Hill of Life virgin! Now it is time to spend a moment taking in the view from the top.

Ok, time to head back down....but first, a selfie!

In addition to The Greenbelt being so beautiful, it is so incredibly vast. It really is a retreat, essentially right in the heart of Austin. Trying out some new bits of the trail each time you go is fun and I think that getting yourself lost would not be too difficult. While we took in the beauty of the trails today, we talked about how comforting it is to realize and to remember that God is in control of our lives. Despite sometimes feeling the need or wanting to be in control of it all. The Greenbelt reminds us that there is so much out there in this world. Some good, some bad - but when we remind ourselves that it is really God holding us and guiding us, we will never truly be lost.

Run Stats for Today:
~5.4 miles  in 1:16:15. Average pace = 13:54/mile

Until next week y'all!