Girls Gone Wildwood

Katy Trail in Dallas I flew to Dallas for the weekend to surprise my nephews, and my Dad and Stephanee-- who were also visiting. I grew up in Dallas and had not been back in 7+ years. If someone asked me what I thought about Dallas or Texas I normally didn't have very positive things to say, so I was curious if going back after all this time would change my perception. I also wasn't much of a runner the last time I was in Dallas, so I was eager to see what kind of trail my sister Gretchen would take me to.  Saturday morning Gretchen and I ran from where we were staying to Dad and Stephanee's Airbnb, to surprise my Dad (Stephanee was in on the surprise). I wish I had a picture of his face when he saw me. I tried to surprise him in November by flying to Michigan for his birthday, but he is nosy and read an email I sent to Stephanee. So this time I was very careful not to send her any text or emails about the visit. It also meant not posting to social media and tur...

On a de facto recovery week, I txted Anna and Leslie to see what they were running this weekend. They were looking for about 8 miles, and I was looking for about 18. I wanted to not end on the uphill (so they'd agree to run with me in the future); starting at the NW 53rd trailhead was just about the best option. Leslie decided to skip and get some much-needed rest, and Anna and I enjoyed a cool, cloudy run on surprisingly dry trails-- a far cry from the hot weather we've been having and a welcome change. The first loop went by so quickly, enjoying Anna's company. The second loop was more of a slog for me, but it was nice to zone out on the Leif and Wildwood stretches. Start at Wildwood/NW 53rd trailhead Wildwood (9.18) to Alder (ww 9.4)-- .22 mi Alder (ww 9.4) to Leif (1.49)-- .84 mi (1.06 total) Leif (1.49) to Maple (ww 4.22)-- 2.73 mi (3.79 total) Maple (ww 4.21) to WW (12.84)-- .86 mi (4.65 total) WW (12.84) to 53rd (ww 9.18)-- 3.66 mi  8.27 total ...

My son loaned me his lovey for our run-- as long as I didn't get him stinky. Thought I'd have a little fun and make us hit lots of the trails between Wildwood and Leif. My first iteration was only 20 miles, and by the time I got that far into route-making I just used the easiest method of adding on. So there's a longer stretch on Wildwood from Nature Trail to Ridge. The multiple, short climbs break things up nicely. Firelane 4 is difficult to run even downhill, so might as well go up it. I knew the hike up Firelane 4 would be overgrown, but I didn't realize there'd be stinging nettles there, too. Now that's incentive to get up a hill quickly! Moss creeping in on Firelane 3. Dogwood to ww (8.47)-- .66 mi ww (8.47) to Alder (ww 9.40)-- .93 mi (1.59 total) Alder (ww 9.40) to Leif (1.49)-- .84 mi (2.43   total) Leif (1.49) to FL 1 (le 3.03)-- 1.54 mi (3.97   total) FL 1 to Nature-- .53 mi (4.5   total) Nature to ww (11.83)-- .65 mi...