Category: Hiking (Page 1 of 2)

October is a month that I traditionally have a tough time keeping a fitness mindset.

In years past, at the end of September, I participated in the Akron Marathon in a relay team or by running the half (2015 & 16 the team; 2017 & 2018 the half.) After that goal was achieved and October arrived, I was always felt a let down from goal achievement and a bit like taking a break.

I haven’t done a running race since the 2018 half, but still find that October’s weather tends to make me feel like staying inside and less like enjoying outdoor fitness activities.

Having Peanut (my dog) really helps me to get out and walk. This weekend I was looking forward to the color changes in the trees. While it has gotten colder, we haven’t had a frost yet which will help the reds, oranges and yellows come out. The trees have started to change.

Hudson Springs Park in Hudson Ohio on October 3, 2023

Although the leaves have changed, the weather has changed too. Hudson Springs Park Oct 15, 2023

When the overcast and clouds reflects in the lake, it kinda dampens the light. It’s hard to even see the trees changing color. I am going to try to find a sunny day to recapture this photo. Hudson Springs Park is one of my favorite places to walk with Peanut. Yesterday when I was there, a group of dog owners had a meet up in one of the pavilions. It was a group of corgi dogs and maybe 50 different ones. So cute. I didn’t get any photos of them, but I should have!

You can see that there are parts of Hudson Springs Park where the trees have changed.Meanwhile, I’m hoping the weather holds and I can keep looking for outdoor activities that fit into the brief moments of good weather. Good weather helps me keep the fitness mindset.

We have some very old apple trees that are still producing some fruit. These deer have visited quite often, even before dusk because they can’t resist the apples.

The deer don’t have anything to do with fitness, just the change of seasons. I rarely see them in my yard unless it’s apple season.

I really can’t count on good weather during the next few weeks, so this week my plan is to start using my treadmill more and carve out a consistent time to go to the gym,

What do you do to keep your fitness mindset when the weather changes?

One of my goals this time of year is to be outside and enjoy nature. I find that it’s easy to get plenty of steps walking in nature and it’s easy to get the steps when you’re not thinking about it. Lately I’ve done some hiking and talking with friends. It’s always a pleasure to walk and talk. It’s also one of the prettiest times in nature here in Northeast Ohio — Fall!

I was lucky to be out in sunny warm weather and still get to see trees just beginning to change. One of my walks was at Hudson Springs Park, not too far from where I live. Jill and I took a short walk around Hudson Springs Lake with our dogs, Penny and Peanut. It sure seemed like a perfect day for walking a dog and many of the people we passed by were also walking their dogs.

I snapped this photo as we were coming into the home stretch. You can see that the trees are just beginning to change color.Tonight the temperature is supposed to drop to 38 degrees, so I will try to recreate this photo to see what changes have happened in less than a week!

Another great place for taking photos and walking is the Holden Arboretum. I love taking photos and the views at Holden Arboretum really don’t disappoint. There are so many beautiful walkways there. I really get inspired to work in my yard after walking in an arboretum. The Holden Arboretum has a tall tower with many steps. It is exhilarating being up so high and looking down on the very very tall oak trees!

Chris at the top of the tower at Holden Arboretum. Windy!

Walking on the bridge was a little bit dicey for me. My vertigo kicked in a little because the walkway sways as you walk, up & down… and side to side!

Beautiful reflection pond with a path all around.

A giant Hydrangea plant, made even bigger with a panoramic photo.

Autumn crocus

By the end of the day, I had almost 22,000 steps. It’s funny how when my mind is thinking of the plants and nature’s beauty, I don’t think about getting exercise. It just happens!

Jill and I took a walk in a nearby park yesterday morning.

It was great opportunity to be able to spend some time together, catch up on things and discuss ideas for future topics and podcast guests for our Fit Strong Women Over 50 podcast.

The weather was cooler than it had been lately, only around 78 degrees compared to over 90 degrees several times this past week. A nice breeze was blowing and the sun was shining!

Penny and Peanut, our dogs, also enjoyed getting out and smelling the fresh air.

A few weeks ago a wild windstorm came through and pushed down quite a few trees along the path in the park. We both were surprised how much damage there was and also how quickly the park crew had cleaned it up.

Kids were playing on the playground and lots of runners and other dog walkers were on the trail for a walk in the park as well. We saw lots of Canada geese in the water with their young hatchlings. We tried to get a photo of them in the background behind us, but I believe the water is too bright to actually see the geese.

It’s great to have a break in the weather and get some exercise. Good weather during our walk made catching up on our Becoming Elli plans a lot of fun.

Last weekend Jill and I enjoyed the trails with our dogs when we got our two dogs together to meet and hike for the first time.

Jill’s dog Penny is just over a year old and still a youngster. Peanut turned 9 years old in March. Both dogs are females.

I was very happy that they got along very well. Actually after the initial hello, they basically ignored each other and were much more interested in sniffing the grass and looking at all the geese, other hikers and other dogs.

We hiked the trail at Hudson Spring Park which features some open areas but mostly shade as it circles Hudson Springs Lake. It was mid-afternoon so the weather was still pretty hot, even in the shade, but still so good to stretch our legs!

Spending time together, enjoying the trails with our dogs while talking about Becoming Elli and the joy we get in building the community of women over 50 was really so fun.

I’m sure we will hike together often with the dogs now that we know that they get along together.

Don’t you love springtime hiking? It makes life feel glorious, don’t you think?

It’s spring here in Ohio and flowers are beginning to bloom. Trees have blossoms on them but there’s still a look of winter because the trees don’t have leaves on them yet.

I’ve gotten out to local parks and hiked trails that I haven’t been on in quite a while. Some are actually brand new to me. In the photo above, I hiked a new trail (to  me, that is) with my son. It is part of the Edgewater Beach park in Cleveland.

Because of the Covid-19 shutdowns last year, I ended up not hiking much any time of the year because the parks were so crowded with people who couldn’t go shopping or dining that I decided to just stay home. Well, I also went to the parks that aren’t so pretty because nobody else was there.

Chris and I have been able to walk together a couple of times. It’s been such a pleasure to see her live and not just on Zoom. I’m very grateful that Zoom has allowed me to see people live but there’s a difference between a virtual visit and being there in person.

I also got to see my friend Lois recently when we went for a hike. It’s been a long time since I’ve spent time in person with her. We hiked to Brandywine Falls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Last year I found huge crowds there so stayed away for most of the year. We got in a lengthy four mile hike that day.

There’s something wonderful about seeing the daffodils blooming and the leaves beginning to bud on the trees. It’s just a great feeling to be outside, enjoying some sunshine and not braving the winter elements. I like not worrying about slipping on the ice.

How are you enjoying the new season? Feel free to let me know!

I consider a big part of Becoming Elli to be taking on new challenges. Some are physical, some are mental. Some, like the veggie challenge, are habits.

As some of you know, I live in Summit County, Ohio, USA. By the name of it, you might think we are located on the top of a mountain, but in my county, the elevation peaks at just over 1,000 feet (325m) from sea level.

So when I had the opportunity last weekend to visit Utah and do some outdoor activities, I figured the higher elevation of around 7,000 feet above sea level would give me some challenge. And it did!

But it was the mental challenges that really gave me a bit of a work out!

Glad I’ve been working on “Becoming Elli” so I could enjoy the new challenges.

Hiking in the Mountains

I like to walk. I like to ride bikes. And I like to *hike* but there are usually disclaimers when I tell someone I like to hike. As frequent readers know, I am careful not to let my Achilles tendonitis or my piriformis act up to avoid injury.

This hike was a challenge due to the trail being loose and rocky. It was considered an intermediate hike.

I know that some hikes can turn into mountain climbing. Some are too fast paced for me. I took my time with this hike, stopping often to take photos and drink water.

I hike at a pace that some people might define as window shopping. Taking an intermediate trail was a bit challenging for me, so I took it at a window-shopping pace last Saturday when I hiked to Stewart Falls and back. Seeing the majestic scenery did feel like window shopping!

The elevation was higher than my body is used to and I tried my best to drink lots of water. Staying hydrated was a challenge. I drank 25 ounces of water during the hike and the hike definitely included heavy breathing, even with my fitness level.

Distance: 2.4 miles Elevation Gain: 672 feet (starting at 6880 elevation in the parking lot) Route Type: Out & Back The link is the trail that someone saved on the mapmyride app. Very fun and challenged my fitness level for sure!

The other challenge was not so much fitness-related, but was definitely going outside my comfort zone!

Zip Lining in Utah

Getting strapped into zip line gear felt a bit awkward, but I was glad to see the equipment holding me onto the cable was heavy duty.

The first zip was a short one to practice and gain confidence. That first moment of just hanging does take some courage.

While we were very high up, it was almost surreal and I think that is why I didn’t feel the anxiety I expected.
In all there were 5 different zips and each one was a little higher and longer than the last.

During the last zip down, while enjoying the scenery, I found myself holding my breath and had to remind myself to breathe!

I knew I would be zip lining for about a month and a half. I wondered how I would react when it was time to actually do it. New challenges met!

Have you ever challenged yourself outside your comfort zone? Wondered if you would actually have the courage when it came time to do the new challenge? Tell me about it. Leave a voicemail at 1-330-970-6662 or send an email to me at Chris@BecomingElli.com. Let me know what you did, where and how you felt before and afterwards.

From the top of Bear Claw after taking two ski lifts.

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