Blog

Running through college
Written by Danielle Ledgerwood
We take pride in the fact that our Liberty Mountain Trail Series provides a way for new runners from the community to learn and gain a sense of familiarity with the sport of trail running. But we also love that the series gives Liberty students an outlet to use their competitive high school running careers in college.
At only 18 years old, Marina Iodice was our youngest LMTS finisher this past year. In her first year as a residential student at Liberty studying American Sign Language Interpretation, she ran all five races in our trail series in addition to Harvest After Dark, our short distance, Halloween-themed fun-run.

 
Her results in each of the 5 LMTS races were as follows:
Deep Hollow 5K: 4th in Female age group 14-19
Valley View 5 Miler: 3rd in Female age group 14-19
Reindeer Run: 3rd in Female age group 14-19
Arctic 5K: 4th in Female in age group 14-19
King of the Mountain: 5th Female in age group 14-19
 

Marina has been running for most of her life, and she started seriously competing around 5 years ago, when she ran track and field and cross country in high school. “I personally think running is fun,” she said. “What motivates me to run is the feeling of accomplishment after I finish a workout or race. I never found the time in college to … Read More

Tanner Hoffarth– Marketing Employee

Berry Boost
If you want to do anything this summer, have a cup of mild fresh berries every day. This will help you load up on antioxidants, helping to preventdamage of tissue and reduce the risk of age-related illness. Berries are filled with fiber that will help to lower cholesterol levels and have the possibility to help prevent cancer in the future.
Get Rooted
To help improve and lower stress levels, try potting a few plants! Whetherthat is indoors or outdoors, having your hands in soil will help you to feel more grounded. Having this reassurance helps in times when life feels like it is flying by and you are barely touching the ground. Being “mentally rooted” can help relieve both the physical and mental stresses of the day.
Outside Exercise
Participating in an outdoor activity each day, whether that is swimming, or taking a hike can help you get some great exercise without the feeling of a stuffy gym. Not only can this help you individually, but this type of exercise can also build and strengthen relationships between friends and family.
Vacation Time
Take the time during the summer to enjoy the sun and unwind. Improve your heart health by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate while you take a few days off from work … Read More

Written by Carter Brackman
 

I love Virginia.
The first memory that I have of myself enjoying the beauty of Virginia was when I was six years old. My family and I drove up from Charlotte to visit my grandparents. I remember my granddad taking my brother, my golden retriever (Bunker), and I to the Peaks of Otter. The eight hours that we spent driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway, jumping into swimming holes, and exploring seemed to pass in an instant. This day is still one of my favorite memories as I reflect on my life.  Even as a six year old, I saw that this world was meant to be enjoyed and loved. If there was ever a single state that make this clear, Virginia is it.
 
If you’ve spent any significant amount of time in the state, you will create meaningful experiences and utter these 3 words of sentiment.  “I love Virginia”.  It is literally the slogan for our state.  Virginia is for lovers!  Virginians are not just proud of this idea, but use it as their main promotion as it can be seen entering the state on every welcome sign.
 
 

LOVEworks around Virginia 
So the question arises, “how does Virginia plan to show this concept for all people to see? Well it is obvious, look for the signs. I don’t mean the dramatic, intangible signs that … Read More

Owen Braden– Marketing Intern
Whether you are looking for more healthy food choices, or you just simply want more snack options, avocados are the way to go. There are multiple possibilities for how to prepare avocados for different tastes and pallets. Place slices on toast with a few seasonings, add it to a salad, or make a simple guacamole with corn chips. Additionally, avocados contain numerous health benefits making them a fantastic supplement to your diet. If you haven’t tried avocados before, it might be time to give them a try.   
A Few Health Benefits
Avocados are very high in potassium, often times containing more than bananas. They contain heart-healthy fats and oils and can reduce bad cholesterol. Avocados are also high in fiber and low in carbs which can be useful in weight loss diets.
Essentials to Make a Simple Guacamole:

Avocados
Onions
Salt & pepper
Garlic powder
Cumin

Slice the avocado in a circle longways around the pit. On either half, cut crisscross and push inside-out. This is an easy way to get all the inside out from the skin of the avocado. If it doesn’t all come out, scrape the rest out with a fork. Next, dice the onion and combine it with the avocado in a bowl. Add the seasonings listed according to personal preference. However, it usually tastes best to … Read More

A family that runs together…
Written by Mike Ellsworth
 

Tina’s family moved to Lynchburg from Buffalo and knew that they wanted to connect to the University and the community.  They found that by running the Liberty Mountain Trail Series.  They also found a great new way to connect as a family.
Tina was new to running on trails, but not new to the sport.  She had been a runner for 36 years, but with easy access to beautiful trails, it was very quickly became habitual for Tina to hit the woods for those moments of peace.  “I like them better than just running on the flat road and pounding.  I enjoy it a lot more…”  She later mentioned how the quiet alone time that she spends on the trails acts as her downtime, where she makes time for prayer and peace.
Running for 36 years, Tina has always used running as an anchor to hold her life together.  Though she has always been a competitive and fast runner, it was always the joy of the run, not the outcome of the competition that she seemed to reflect on during our conversation.  “It has always been a quiet time for me” she says.  Through marriage, raising children, a move to Lynchburg and a battle with breast cancer, running has seemed to act as the consistent fuel to keep her connected … Read More

Written by Linda Galvez
 

“When an eighty-five pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.”
Kristan Higgins (author, In Your Dreams)

As a pet owner, I’m always searching for dog friendly places to bring my best pal, Eli.
A little bit about Eli, he is a 92 lbs. “force of nature”, becomes friends with any human who pets him, and loves other dogs big and small. He fears nothing, but can also be the biggest baby in the room. Eli has extensive amounts of energy which when controlled can be so much fun, but when left to his own devices can be a terror. Which is why I have found training techniques which allow us to enjoy the outdoors in a safe and fun way! On my days off, I love coming back to Hydaway and bringing Eli with me to run trails or go swimming. We welcome all dogs at Hydaway and encourage all owners to be in control of their pets while visiting our facility!
Eli and I enjoy running Lake Trail, Trail Too Far, and Lasso and then jumping into the water to cool down after. When we’re not on Liberty Mountain, we enjoy driving to Black Water Creek Trail or Percival’s Island downtown. On nice cool days you can find us at any dog friendly restaurant … Read More

Torrin Nelson- Marketing Manager
Whether you want to become a certified personal trainer or if you want to hire a personal trainer for yourself, there are so many benefits to consider. Personal Training makes a huge impact on the trainer and the client, and great relationships can be made. If you are considering training, here are some of the benefits that might sway you.

You receive a personal coach.The trainer is there to help you achieve your goals and cheer you along on the way. They will be supportive, helpful, and encouraging, which is something you might not benefit from by working out on your own.
You will achieve better and faster results.Your personal trainer will be able to assess your goals and body type and help you choose the workouts that are the most efficient. Your trainer will help you figure it all out, and you won’t feel alone on your fitness endeavor.
You will receive a personal workout specific to your goals.Your trainer will help you lose fat in the right areas and gain muscle in the right areas, leading you in the best direction to receive your desired results.
You will have reduced chance of injury.Let’s face it. Sometimes it is challenging to know how to … Read More

A Time to Connect
Written by Danielle Ledgerwood
 

Running, for Shelley, started after attending other races and watching a friend compete, so she decided to try it herself. She really enjoyed the environment at those events and knew that they’d help her to grow as a person, in more ways than one.  Shelley Stephens has now been an avid runner for 13 years.
“I’ve always been introverted and have kept to myself,” Shelley admitted. “I noticed that being around people with the same interests pushed me to talk to others.”
Her time spent running on the Liberty Mountain Trail System also helped her reconnect with her husband Mark after they divorced in 2000. They’ve used their time on the trails to spend time getting to know each other better and to listen to what the Lord is saying to them. Since then, they’ve been remarried for 11 years.
“We developed a bond, and I think he started to gain a certain amount of respect for me, seeing that I was really pushing myself.” Recently, 4 back surgeries have prevented her husband from running, but they can still hike and bike together.
 

Shelley has definitely been pushing herself. In the 2018-2019 Liberty Mountain Trail Series, she won the female master’s category at the Deep Hollow Half Marathon, the Arctic 5k, and King of the Mountain, plus a 3rd overall female finish at … Read More

Jumping Right In
Written by Mike Ellsworth
 

Talk about jumping into trail running!  Derek’s first experience with trail running was right on our home turf on the Liberty Mountain Trail System.  In December of 2017, Derek set out on the Deep Hollow course armed with a new Garmin watch and a Strava account.  He might have got a little lost and felt miserable for a few days, but the love for trail running was ignited and he ran the Deep Hollow Hal-Marathon the next October.
Derek ran Indoor and Outdoor track in high school right here at Jefferson Forest.  He was involved in short distances mostly, the 400M and less, as well as hurdles.  From there he went on to ran one season at Bridgewater College.  After that season he basically took a 13 year hiatus from the sport. Derek shared with me his thoughts on how he transitioned from being a competitive track sprinter into the trail distance runner that he is now.

“It is a different world.  I saw my competitive 7:30 half marathon pace drop to 8:30 overnight.  I though “Aww man, I’m going slow!”” was his initial response.  It really was a slow and steady transition for him.  In the beginning Derek had a great friend who was able to prepare him for success.  Derek remembers that “He set up a training sheet for me … Read More

Written by Danielle Ledgerwood
 

Here at Outdoor Recreation, we love food almost as much as we love spending time outside. We also love good food: food that is good for the body and good for the soul. As the air outside warms up to a cooperating temperature, it’s time to ditch those heavy soups and pastas and start making more weather-appropriate recipes.

Whether you’re hiking up to Mount Pleasant or kayaking the downtown stretch of the James River, this trail mix will satisfy your sweet tooth and keep you energized.  Just mix all the ingredients into one big bowl and fill up your pack before you set out!
River Mix

½  cup of unsalted raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
½  cup of raw unsalted almonds
¼ cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds
¼ cup golden raisins
2 Tbsp. dried cranberries
¼ cup mini chocolate chips or carob chips
¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional)

If you’re looking to do something more intense, and you will need some extra calories for your mountain bike trip or a long day to Falling Springs or Explore Park.  These easy to make, no-bake energy bites will fit in your backpack and keep you full.  Just mix all ingredients into a bowl and press into bars or bites!
Peanut Butter Bites

1 cup uncooked oats
½ cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey or agave
½ cup chocolate chips
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
½  cup ground flax seeds
½ cup toasted coconut flakes (optional)
1 tsp. … Read More