virginia | Adventures with Ashley

Operation Turbo 5k

May 24, 2022 Ashley Barlow Comments 0 Comment

July 17, 2021 I was planning to be back in my hometown of Richmond, VA for my sister’s bridal shower and I just had to sign up for another race! A race in July you ask!? Yes, July is one of the worst times of year to race. It is very hot and humid, but I figured a 5k couldn’t be too bad!? This race was located in Pratt Park and was an out and back course. The race did…

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon

September 22, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 0 Comment

Virginia Beach it’s good to be back! It has been a yearly tradition to have this race during Labor day weekend. I ran the Rock ‘N’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon last year and was so frustrated that this race put me in crutches, so I made it a goal to come back this year injury free! (and thankfully I did just that!) I had just run the DC Spartan Sprint the weekend prior which was one of my best…

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Mount Rogers

September 19, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 2 comments

Mount Rogers is most famous for being the highest point in Virginia with a height of 5,729 feet (1,746 m) above sea level! There are a few different trail options you can take leading to the summit. This includes the Elk Garden Trailhead which approaches Mount Rogers from the west and is a 9 mile round trip hike. The Mount Rogers Trail approaches the summit from the north and is 12 miles round trip. The most popular hiking route to the summit is from…

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Ragnar Trail Appalachians West Virginia

August 31, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 2 comments

My second time running a Ragnar Trail race! I originally was not planning on doing this race, but there were a few last minute drop outs and I was offered a spot on a team so I joined! I had a really good time running Ragnar Trail Richmond back in April so I was excited to see what West Virginia had in store for us! Let me reiterate a little from my last Ragnar post for those who have not…

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Crabtree Falls

July 28, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 2 comments

Crabtree Falls is located in the George Washington National Forest and is known for being one of the tallest sets of waterfalls in the United States East of the Mississippi River. This waterfall features a set of five different cascading waterfalls with the tallest one being 400 feet (120m). The combined height of the waterfalls is around 1,200 feet (370m). As an avid waterfall chaser I had to add this one to my list. I woke up very early to hike this…

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Gen Chesty Puller 10k

July 12, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 2 comments

My second 10k of the year. Wow, has it really been a whole year already since I ran this race? Last year, the Gen Chesty Puller was my very first 10k and I was glad to be back running it again in the small town of West Point. This year I am glad the start time got moved up to 7 am (that Virginia summer heat is no joke, I tell ya!). It was an absolutely beautiful day for running. The air was clear, despite…

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Ragnar Trail Richmond

June 28, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 1 comment

My very first Ragnar experience! I have always wanted to do one of these races, but always struggled with trying to find a team. I went to a local RWB luncheon and someone was looking for a teammate. It was an opportunity I could not pass up, so I joined. The trails have always been my favorite place to run and I have never done a trail race before, so I was very much looking forward to this event. For those who don’t…

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PeasantMan Triathlon

June 14, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 0 Comment

My very first Triathlon! Wahoo! I can officially call myself a triathlete! This race was recommended to me and was definitely a good starter for my first triathlon. This race took place on Mother’s day this year and was located at Lake Anna State Park. Now I felt very unprepared for this race. When I say unprepared I mean I hadn’t swam in few months and I had just gotten my speed clips and shoes for my bike just a few days prior. Talk about waiting…

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Cascade Falls

June 7, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 1 comment

Cascade Falls is located within the Jefferson National Forest with a stunning height of 66 feet (20.1m). There are two separate trails leading to the falls; the lower trail and the upper trail. Most people take the more scenic lower trail up to the falls while taking the upper less scenic trail back to the parking lot. At the start of the trail you will shortly arrive at a bridge. Crossing the bridge takes you towards the lower trail which…

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Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon

June 6, 2016 Ashley Barlow Comments 0 Comment

Oh boy, where do I even begin… Lets start by saying that I just recently past my year anniversary for my 1st Half Marathon on May 31st. Wow has it really been a whole year already!? This race was my 7th Half Marathon and by far the most difficult of them all. I was really dreading this race. Mentally I was not ready and physically I felt very fatigued. I had just recently returned from Iceland and it took me a while to adjust to…

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