Training is not so bad when beer is involved.

I did not have a training trail race this weekend, so I went to a brewery.  My training is going well, I think.  I really will not know until I finish the 50K in two weeks.  This upcoming week I have a 25K that almost retired me last year.  I am on pace to get 200 miles this month.  I have had some soreness in my hips and knee, so I trying to find out if I am going to far too soon.  A coach in my running group said I needed to take 48 hours off from running and give my body some rest.  It was hard after finding some new routes on different trails.  Crazy look on Big Cedar TrailRunning on Big Cedar trail and taking sharp turnsView of Joe Pool Lake from the trails of Cedar Hill State ParkWoodsy section of Cedar Hill SPPrairie part of Cedar Hill SPStill a forest in Cedar Hill SP

I decided to use my 48hrs off by going to a semi local brewery.  I really like this place after one visit.  The selection of beer is just enough to cover all the bases but not overwhelming.  The atmosphere was laid back but enough noise to be interesting.  I, of course, got the hefeweizen and it was fantastic. My favorite was the John Hancock Lager.  It is a dark and smooth lager that was very drinkable.  They also had a small BBQ stand inside the biergarten which was nice.  They had board games and plenty of TVs so we were thoroughly entertained for hours.OutsideInsideMy first flightBBQ sandwich with a John HancockMy wife beating me in Star Wars trivia.

I did kick her butt in checkers 3x.  I am now back to more serious training with just six weeks left till the 100K.  Nothing better than a trails and ales break.

Advertisement

Dogwood Canyon Audubon and Cedar Mountain Preserve

I am lucky to have five hiking locations within a ten minute drive of my home. The Dogwood Canyon Audubon and Cedar Mountain Preserve are within walking distance of each other so I decided to hike them both with a special guest partner. 

My daughter Alexandria was with me for this hike. The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center and Cedar Mountain Preserve are both located in Cedar Hill, TX which is twenty minutes south of Dallas, TX. The trails are well maintained and clearly marked. There are not many trails or many miles but the elevation change makes up for the small size. I love wandering through the trees and walking up the hills. The trails have few partial overlooks and one good overlook.

The Cedar Mountain Preserve was more rugged and had more different types of plant life. The views over Joe Pool Lake were not great but it was a very peaceful hike.

The Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center has hiking trails behind the center. The trails are nice with two distinct overlooks and some steep hills. The hike was pleasant and the views were very nice. The overlook had a better view of Joe Pool Lake and also parts of the Cedar Ridge Preserve. Hiking with my daughter is always fun because she is very bubbly when hiking. We had a good time hiking through the dense forest like area.

Overall it was a good time and a nice hike. I have been back to hike another small canyon trail and back to the overlook. I really like the overlook. I been to other places with great views but this overlook gets me because it is so close to home.

Next blog I head back to Fort Worth. I get to get to a waterfall and more fun with the kids.