Running For Beer

After our awesome workout yesterday, we were ready to explore some local flavor in this awesome Georgia area. What better way than to stumble upon and yes... we had no idea this was happening... a German town Oktoberfest tucked away in Helen. As we entered this one lane town, there was a massive traffic jam and no way to turn around. My first thought was that this really sucks and I'm starving! Then upon further reflection in a stand still traffic, I thought.... hmmm.... this could be a really good sign. Apparently, something was popular in this place.
As we finally turned the corner, I heard it, saw it and smelled it.... fried food, beer, loud music and a LOT of people looking somewhat tipsy. and then a sign: "Welcome to Helen, Georgia- OktoberFest".

 

















So we joined in the party!! After a few drinks, we decided we had to have the green German-like hats. And we went on a mission. We found the hats in this obscure jewelry shop and they were a HUGE success! Everyone wanted to know where we got our hats and then something AMAZING happened...

Nick adopted this weird German accent...

And he started to look kind of German...

And then we just decided to dance...

We knew it was a party when the guy in front of us waiting for more beer began vomiting in line. No one seemed to notice... ugh.
When all was said and done- this is what I learned from last night:
1. Don't be afraid to try new things in new towns.
2. Running for beer is always worth the effort.
3. A party isn't a party until someone barfs while in the beer line.
4. A German accent makes it all worthwhile. Cheers!!

   

 

The Running "Tour"

The route we ran in Blairsville, Ga. Fall 2012

The runs we’ve had up here in the mountains have reminded me of something I tend to forget. Why do runners run? Many start off in order to lose weight, or to get in better shape, but if you ask a truly seasoned runner why they continue to run, I guarantee you will not get a “lose weight” response.

While in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina this weekend, I remembered why I run. I remembered that the run is not about speed or how far you can go without walking. These things are trivial to a true runner. Running for me is about meditation and reflection. It’s about taking time to “smell the roses” of life.  As Nick and I say, before we head out for a grueling 18 miler- “It’s not about the time. Let’s just take a "tour”. Yes “A Tour”. That is how I like to think of our long runs. It’s about experiencing your surroundings while you run. It’s about taking in that amazing sunrise and seeing the leaves change color. It’s about watching deer run next to you in the forest or that small rabbit wriggle its nose as you fly by.  If you need to stop in order to appreciate it, then stop.  Once you get to this point of your running life, then you know you’ve become a true seasoned runner. Life has enough time constraints and demands us to constantly multi task. Take your runs as your time out. Leave the iPod and Garmin at home. Take a Tour.

We stopped quite a few timeson this 5ish mile run.

Before we started our run this morning, we were determined to tackle this insane 1/4 mile straight up hill. We tried yesterday, but failed. Today, we tried again and as you may be able to tell from these pictures, WE MADE IT! It can now be checked off our bucket list. And we of course celebrated with a 5 mile run afterwards and some beer!
 

Bittersweet Running

I remembered this morning... I remembered the reason why I sweat through all those miserably hot Florida summer months of humidity, thunderstorms and mosquitos. Why I wake at 4am to ensure I can get through it without dropping dead from heat exhaustion and the sun burning a hole through me. I run.

I run through the hard times because without those, you can't possibly fathom the sheer excitement of running through the exhilarating times. I run.
 
Without being in great running shape, this feeling of meditation would go unnoticed because you dwell on the fact that your lungs are burning and your legs are tired etc. etc. etc... I encourage all new runners not to give up during those hard times. The times when you have absolutely no desire to go outdoors. If you can make it through, the payoff in the fall and winter seasons will be that much sweeter! Run.

This morning... we woke up in the North Georgia mountains. Blairsville to be exact. The weather was a cool and crisp 41 degrees with 15mph winds. The leaves were falling on my nose. Yellow, auburn, brown, golden and fiery red. We ran.

Up the winding mountain roads, over top rickety bridges with running creeks, past cow patures and maple tree lined streets. I felt as though I could go forever... I attribute this feeling 100% to all of those dreaded Florida summer runs. Keep running.

If you're new to running, I encourage you to keep going when those days are tough. Without those, you will never know the true joy running can deliver.

Run.

Blairsville, Ga  Fall 2012