Hey friends! I wanted to introduce you to the start of a new series. (Don’t worry, we’ll get back into the rest of the Utah series after this post!) As a Pittsburgh native, I wanted to share with you the vast amount of awesome trails we have nearby. Introducing, the Pittsburgh Area Trails & Parks Series Guide! They are so often overlooked, (as are most in unexpected areas), but I want to make sure that you don’t discount the ones that you live by. Of course there are WAY more epic hikes in places like Arizona or Utah or Hawaii, etc, but I think a lot of us (my past self included), used to think that we needed to travel far away to get in a cool hike, and that’s just not the case. So today, let’s talk about how this short and sweet trail in one of my favorite parks was perfect for squeezing in between a gym sesh and getting groceries. 💪🥾🛒 (Interested in a future meal plan prep list? Drop a comment and I’ll be sure to focus some energy on this moving forward).🥗
Why I Hike at 7AM
As we move further and further into summer I’m constantly reminded why getting up early is a blessing. As someone who does *not* do well with high heat and high humidity, I do my best to get outside as early as possible so that I’m not completely drenched in sweat by the end of my activity.
Even though I did this hike around 7-8am, I was *still* sweaty af afterwards, but I have no regrets. 🤷♀️ It was perfectly beautiful, peaceful and the trail was completely empty. That’s the second bonus of starting early, most peeps are still sunk into their comfy blankets at home, warming up with a cup of joe. (or tea, why can’t tea have a cool name like Bob, or Frank, or Sundance?) 😂
I used to be that person. I’d sleep in til 10 or 11am, only to roll out of bed with no energy and feeling like absolute 💩 because I drank after work and stayed up until 3am. No more of that nonsense for me, and I couldn’t be any happier with the transition. If you never considered being an early riser, trust me, just give it a chance for a month or two and then tell me how much you hate it👇 if you must.
Not only are places less busy and less hot, but as previously mentioned, they’re more quiet! This allows time to meditate if you wish on a log in the middle of the woods. (I may or may not have done this).🪵🧘♀️ As well as take a few breaks to stretch, read, you name it. Especially in places like North Park (the one we’re talking about today), that have several pavilions and shelters set up along the trail like this one. 👇
Although this one doesn’t have a picnic table underneath, a lot of them actually do, as well as a trash can for your healthy snack wrappers or a disposal spot for pet waste if you choose to bring along the furballs. 🐾
Exploring the Purple/Black Dot Trail in Pittsburgh: Review
Now, the Purple/Black Dot Trail is one of my top 3 favorites at North Park, and that’s because it’s short but packs a punch with the steep inclines thrown throughout. It has two road crossings (shown below) and several off-shoots though, (see one of the pics above for an example), so you’ll have to be sure to pay attention to the purple markers on the trees along the trail. (See the last pic at the end of the post for an example).
Wanna see the trails I go on? Follow me on AllTrails! I just started back up with tracking these and I’d love to share more photos and details with you which are featured on the app. Let me know if you have any questions on how to sign up or get started tracking your own hikes! 🥾🥳
Everyone hikes or runs trails differently, but I’ve found (despite trying to keep up with the hubs) that I enjoy running on the downhills and the flat spots, (being super careful to not trip over my big feet on the downhill). Then, I walk the uphill and save my energy for pushing myself on the next flat part.
Running the Trail Together… Emotionally, Not Physically
My husband on the other hand will just straight up run the entire time, I swear he never gets tired. For years while trail running I’ve tried my best to keep up with him, complaining of my shorter legs and how women are naturally slower. While this may have some truth to it, it was just an excuse I would make over and over because I was annoyed with how far behind I always got so quickly.
So recently, when he asked if I wanted to trail run or hike with a weighted pack together, I explained how I’d much rather do the trail run alone, so that I can stay out of my head and focus on the journey. When I’m so far behind, I start doubting my ability to do well instead of realizing that I’m still on the path to becoming my best self. I needed to be honest with him and it allowed me to become more comfortable and have less frustration with him for not understanding. He now supports this idea since he has had the opportunity to recognize why I would get upset. Yay for healthy communication! 🙌
It’s not that he intentionally tries to run out in front, he’s just faster and I don’t want to hinder his growth either as that wouldn’t be fair. So I’ve found that running alone makes me stronger and more confident that someday when I choose to run together again, that I’ll be able to keep up. 🏃♀️💪
If you’re struggling keeping up with a friend or family member on the trail or in anything else, just remember this. You are on your *own* journey, just like they are. There’s no need to prove anything to anyone, as most people are focused on their on path anyhow. You need not spend time worrying about what others are thinking, (this goes for being in the gym as well), since everyone is there for the same reason, to grow in their own way.
So, just keep focusing on becoming the best version of yourself and someday you’ll be surprised at how far you’ve come when you finally stop nit-picking all the things that don’t propel you forward.💜
Thank
Thank you so much for being here, reading along, and letting me share my trails, tangents, and truths with you. Whether you’re sprinting ahead, strolling behind, or just here for the snacks—I’m genuinely grateful to have you on this journey. 💜 Keep doing you, and I’ll see you on the next trail (or in the comments). 🥾✨
