Mt. Greylock - 3,491'
Adams, Massachusetts
9:30 AM - Sunny and warm, in the 70s at start, and low 80s at the end. Woke up at 5:30 this morning and headed to Pittsfield. It's my only day off this week so I wanted to get a day in with Emmy. Got to her house around 8 and we headed to Adams to hike up Mt. Greylock! I was stoked because it didn't rain on us, even though it was forecasted to rain today! It was 3.5 miles up and the same down, and towards the top the trail intersected and followed the Appalachian Trail. I told Emmy I want to run this trail to the top of the mountain sometime and she called me crazy. I like hiking with Emma. She's about the best sidekick you could ask for! Though with her performance on the mountain today she is the headliner! She was flying up the mountain and especially on the way down. I felt so bad because I was lagging behind. She probably would have made it to the bottom about 20 mins sooner had I not been so slow! I was sweating a lot in the heat. Probably my own fault since I was wearing a zippered fleece and corduroy shorts. But Howling Commandos are stubborn so I didn't want to take it off. Thankfully at the top of the mountain there was a nice breeze and we found a spicket behind a building up there to refill my Nalgene. I drank close to 3 x 32oz Nalgene bottles total!
The Ascent (MILES 0-3.5) Felt good. Pushed the pace. Steady with most miles between 20 and 25 minutes. Total time to the top was 1:21. Stopped at a pond for a nice look and we had a lot of fun on the way up talking and singing. Didn't see anyone else until we got to the top. Met a lady up there after we went up in the tower and she was so cute. She'd broken her foot the first day with her grandkids at another hiking spot. I guess she fell like 300' down a cliff and had to get air lifted out! That's one tough granny! In fact, the funny quote of the day from me was : "I can't wait to be a grandma!" Obviously I didn't think before I said it outloud. Oops!
The Descent (MILES 3.5-7.0) Tough. Humbling. I learned I have something to work at. Still a lot of fun coming down, but I am a more consistent and faster climber than descender. Emma zips on down the trails, but I have to constantly check my strides and what not. Twisted each ankle a couple times and rolled them. My knees felt like they were going to explode through my skin! I swore that I would end up being crippled and eaten by chipmunks, but I was thankful that Emmy waited for me so we could walk together. She's so awesome! Coming down took 1:11, then minutes faster than going up the same trail. I know Emmy could have made it in about :50. Saw a father/son couple I believe, the son on a mountain bike, the father was running/walking down the trail. Man could he move! I am anxiously anticipating a trail 1/2 in the near future! Maybe in October for the fall foliage!
Afterwards Went to Adams, MA and ate lunch at a cafe. I feel bad because my blood sugar was seriously low. I was really tired and agitated and downright grumpy. I've never done a 2.5+ hour hike or run without food before, and I think my body was screaming for something. I got a cheese and tomato sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie, Snapple, and a coffee. The A/C was so nice in there! Emma got a humungo salad! I will have to remember food so that I am not such a rude partner! Hopefully Emma will still go hike with me ;p.
Ran errands with Emmy to a bunch of places to get stuff for her. She made a turkey/cheese calzone for us at night. Then we watched a huge thunderstorm roll in and we watched Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire as I haven't seen it before and we are planning on seeing the new movie next week. To bed early because have to wake up and drive back to New York for work on Friday morning.
From Emmy: Remember the lady with the golden lab near the top of the mountain? I didn't know she was there and I burped soo loud! Hahahah priceless.
And yeah, you are completely wretched when you are hungry.
;) | 
