I felt sick when I woke up. Or more accurately, got out of bed, because it felt like I barely slept a wink all night. A soreness was creeping back into my throat and a nagging voice was growing louder in my head, questioning my ability to complete a 40 mile trail run today. Was …
I did my longest run ever yesterday -- 22.5 miles, all on trail, in the snow. It was harder than I expected. By mile 11, I was feeling like I would just like to be done. My ankles, knees, and hips were starting to hurt. I was feeling this way earlier than I have on …
Back in early 2019, I got this idea that I wanted to do the entire 42-mile Allegheny Front Trail by foot in one day. I covered 20 miles of it on a cold day that February, a President's Day adventure on a bit of a whim. The spark was ignited. But shortly thereafter, my right …
I love really cold runs. I'm not sure what it is about getting outside and exercising in the frigid air that is so exhilarating. Maybe it's the empowerment it brings to have beaten the temptation to stay hunkered down in a warm house. Maybe it's the fact that everything looks and feels so crisp. All …
I've been struggling with a hamstring injury since the beginning of winter. For most of that time, I didn't even realize it was an issue. My hammie was tight and sore but I figured it was something that would work itself out. About a month ago, that dull soreness turned into a burning pain in …
I've had my eye on the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT) lately. I'm not sure why it in particular has garnered my attention over all the other great central Pennsylvania hiking trails --- maybe it's the proximity to Evan's new workplace and our general newly found interest in the Black Moshannon area, maybe it's its attainable …
It's a little after 1 am and I just started my second leg of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail Relay. It's drizzling and temps are in the 40s. Leaves cover the trail and the smells of autumn, heightened by the dampness in the air, waft into my nostrils. My hamstrings are tight and my knee aches. …
The air is still and the world is quiet except for the occasional bird song. My own breath and the sound of feet on dirt keep a steady rhythm in my head, a beat that keeps me going, step after step. I don’t know how many miles in I am but the pain is starting …
Last Saturday, I did my first trail running event since Hyner in 2013 – the Mile Run Trail Challenge half marathon. Those 13 miles and the training run I did of the same distance a few weeks ago were also the farthest I've run at all since 2013. I rediscovered mountain biking that year so …
I took a break from my run and stood in the middle of the trail, looking at the unending ribbon of slush-covered rocks ahead. My feet and ankles were starting to ache from sliding and trying to catch my balance. I'd gone about 2 miles but it felt like 10. I looked at my phone for …
helena kotala 