Let's be honest: aside from showing our kids where we met and went to college, one of the main draws of this trip was the gorgeous nostalgic running routes! I went on 3 memorable morning runs in Buena Vista, Virginia and felt all of the nostalgia and love of that Appalachian beauty in my soul. This place will always have a piece of my heart. I took almost as many pictures during my runs as I did during the rest of the trip, so I organized the running pictures separately here.
Run #1: Flood Wall & Glen Maury Park
Thursday, June 18th: After about 4 collective hours of sleep on the morning after we arrived in Buena Vista, Jeff and I got up and went on a run together. Well, we started our run together. We ran up Chestnut Road past the front of Main Hall, then down the other side of the hill to the River Walk path, known in our day as the flood wall. This gravel path follows the Maury River all the way to Glen Maury Park. In our college days, we ran this path countless times for warm-ups and cool-downs to and from the park, where we often did running workouts. Nostalgia was high as we jogged this path together. About a mile and a half into the run, Jeff decided he was warmed up enough to run his own (much faster) pace, so he moved on ahead and we finished our run separately at our own paces.
I followed Jeff into Glen Maury Park and we attempted to run our old home cross country course there, but the Green Monster Hill, a 200 meter 10%+ grade grassy hill was completely overgrown with a thick tangle of foliage so we couldn't get through. So we found other paths. I discovered a small network of trails through the woods of the park and happily made my way up the trails to the top of the big hill. I ran to the famed Double Decker pavilion and stopped to take in the 360 degree view of Buena Vista and the gentle green Appalachian mountains beyond. It was a good 7 mile run.
Main Hall!
The flood wall!
Starting off on our old cross country course at the park. So many memories! We used to do 1,000 (1k) repeats on this loop around the lower park area.
The beginning of the Green Monster. It disappeared into a jungle and Jeff met me coming back down in defeat--it was too thick to claw through. I was happy to let him make that discovery, haha.
This lovely trail branched off nearby and took me up, up, up to the top of the hill.
The Double Decker!
This view deserved a sky hug.
The snug switchback on the road back down into the park.
I was strategic in my run: I took the trail up the hill (slow, deliberate, gentle on my ankles) and the paved road back down (fast and free flying with smooth footing).
While running down the hill, I flew past this silhouette. It caught in my peripheral vision enough to make me stop, turn around, and go back to see if I saw what I thought I saw. It was! A cutout of Sasquatch, tucked in the trees! HAH!
Goodbye, Glen Maury Park!
Back on the flood wall, with the top turret of Main Hall peeking over the trees in the distance.
I turned off the flood wall at the main downtown area of BV. Our lodgings were a few blocks up this street.
Sleepy children didn't greet me when I returned. We got in past midnight and they needed sleep.
Run #2: Long Hollow and Middle Road Loop
On Friday, June 19th, while Jay and Jeff ran a rugged trail run at Elephant Mountain, I chose from my memory bank a lovely loop outside of town. The loop was more of a lasso, with Catalpa Ave being the main rope and Long Hollow and Middle Road making the lasso loop. I forgot just how hilly this loop was! All of the built-in hills in this area gave me renewed respect for my college self. Hills whip you into shape like nothing else. I was so strong, running here every day! My legs were wobbly and tired after running 7.7 miles on this loop.
Passing the YSA stake center on the SVU campus on my way out to Catalpa Ave.
Good ole rolling Catalpa, leading me out of BV.
Long Hollow Road was a grind: 1.5 miles of steady climbing, followed by a short half mile burst downhill with another series of grueling climbs right after.
Roadside tiger lilies!
More Long Hollow Road scenery.
Turning onto Middle Road was no picnic: this quarter mile beast of a hill slapped me in the face immediately.
At the junction of the lasso loop on my way back into town.
This is an old sign: Buena Vista: good views reveal great vision. I have no memory of that slogan when I lived in BV! Hah. As memories came back, I realized how much practical day to day info that I didn't remember. Like this sign and slogan.
Run #3: The Chessie Trail
The beginning of the Chessie Trail, with the quiet Maury River nearby.
20 years ago, we had to climb a cattle guard type fence, but since then these nice swinging gates were installed for easy pedestrian access.
I only saw two cows on my entire 7 mile run. Thankfully. They are big and it's weird running through their fields!
A cow crossing the path behind me! Thankfully it was gone by the time I returned.
The Chessie Trail is made up of a series of paths through cow pastures, connected by gorgeous stretches of wooded trail.
How many happy running selfies is too many?
It ended up being too cloudy for sunglasses, but I was already committed so I kept them on for the clarity my prescription lenses gave. Also, if you haven't noticed, I only brought one running bra on this trip (wear twice, then wash). I love my purple sloth sports bra, but I was getting a bit tired of it by the end.
Back through the cow pasture by the river.
Traditional trailhead picture.
Jeff came up behind me. Surprise! It was cloudy and SO humid, we were absolutely drenched.
Virginia is my absolute favorite place in the world to run!
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