On Monday, I turned 25. A quarter of a century. Halfway to 50.
I was actually on a work trip to New York at the time, staying in a hotel in New York state, about 2 hours out of the city. We were at the Mohonk Hotel, a beautiful, camp-like hotel set in some amazing grounds around a lake.
I decided to take advantage of my jet lag, and explore the grounds with a Birthday Run. I asked at reception whether they had any jogging trails of about 6 miles, the flatter, the better. My route was highlighted for me in yellow, and looked far longer than 6 miles! The guy at reception warned me that one part was uphill and the rest was mostly flat or downhill, perfect.
I set out onto the path and discovered that it was thankfullly mostly shaded, and had numerous lookouts providing stunning views across the surrounding forests and mountains.
However, I also discovered that flat, also means, slight incline almost the whole way! Needless to say, along with the heat, my pace was not all that fast. My goal was to keep it in the 9’s (min miles) which I did succeed with.
 |
| One of the ‘flat’ bits |
The path was gorgeous, and I didn’t see another person on the trail the whole time. It felt like I had it to myself (aside from a few bugs that gave me some birthday bumps!)
As you can see from the map, the path looped out from the hotel and back again. The one hill that I was warned about was on the final turn back, and provided some brilliant views of the hotel and grounds. And there was a glorious downhill all the way… I completed about 5 miles in an average pace of 9.47min miles.
The hotel itself is set on a lake, where I completed some post-run stretching. I would certainly spend more time stretching if I could do it here everyday!
After a quick shower and phonecall to my Mum, I headed to breakfast to indulge in a large plate of pancakes and berries with an iced coffee! As part of our trip, we got to experience a treatment in the hotel spa, voted Best Spa in America by Conde Nast readers! I had an amazing ‘Red Massage’ that included a ‘guided power nap’!! Sadly I didn’t fall asleep but I did enjoy the meditation and breathing exercises she had me do.
After an amazing buffet lunch by the lake, we were picked up by a limo to take us to the shopping outlet malls at Woodbury Common, where I spent far too much money but felt pretty guiltless!! I promise this was a work trip, but also an awesome way to spend my birthday. Topped off with an amazing dinner at our next hotel,
The Thayer where we had a tasting menu, followed by cake and singing!
Sorry I’ve been slightly MIA recently, things are crazy busy with work at the moment. Things will return to normal soon I hope!
What a stunning run! I love exploring trail and you don’t notice the uphill *as much* as usual when in such amazing surroundings!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Thanks, and to you for last week! Sorry I missed it, was on a trans-atlantic flight!
Wow – what a way to spend your birthday! Beautiful photos. I fulfilled an ambition to run in Central Park earlier this year, really wish I’d taken the time to stop and get some photos.
Happy birthday!
I’m really lucky and got to run in Central Park on this trip too! I loved it!
Lovely way to spend your birthday! The trail looks so pretty out there. 🙂
Wow that looks like an amazing place to run! Lucky 🙂 Hope you had a great birthday. x
Happy birthday! It was my 25th birthday on Tuesday, almost birthday twins 🙂 I also went for a birthday run, not quite as picturesque though hehe.