StephanieEverett’sSummer
Trails Club Calendar:
2025
August 2 @ 8am – Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
September 6 @ 8am – Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
October 4 @ 8am – Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
October 18 @ 8am – Battle of the Run Clubs 10mile/10k/5k hosted by Aiken Trails Club at Stable View
October 25 @ 8am – Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View Headless Horseman Half Marathon/10k/5k/ Kids Fun Run
Registration HERE: *Next price increase July 5*
November 1 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
December 6 @ am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
2026
January 3 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
February 7 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
February 27 – March 1 – Ultra Cool Announcement & Registration Coming Soon! (event will not be hosted by Aiken Trails Club)
March 7 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
April 11 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
April 18: Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View Spring Race
May 9 @ 8am – Aiken Trails Club Monthly Group Run/Walk
Barry’s Trail Club Welcome Letter
You’ll be pleased to hear report the large Kubota tractor has been seen going out with the big Land Pride bush hog on both the Red & Blue Loops. Nothing untoward has been going on - they haven’t misbehaved. Afterwards, the Red Loop received some finishing touches with a zero turn.
As a result, we’ve achieved mowed grass, cleared small bushes, and improved the running surface.
Currently, we have around 17 miles of trails, and my goal is to reach 20 miles by the fall. It would be fantastic if we could host a marathon entirely at Stable View—that’s my challenge! In addition, we’ve been focused on managing the grass. Rain and more rain - we like…and so does the grass!
Membership in the Trails Club at Stable View is growing. Several local schools are showing interest in our initiatives and two local cross-country teams have joined and will be training on the trails this Fall - that’s encouraging!
See you soon.
Get to Know Your Trails:
By Sarah Hansel
The Red Loop is a 5 mile loop with 228 feet of elevation gain (but don't forget that including the out and back from the pavillion adds a little over a mile to this). Combined with the Blue Loop it makes a near perfect 10 miles.
The Red Loop is mostly double track, with wide grassy trails, meandering through a slightly less densely forested part of the property. This means a bit more sun, and a little bit of sand underfoot, which after a hard rain will pack down perfectly into a fun, non technical, perfect for day dreaming kind of loop. From the pavillion, follow the sand road down to the trail map and the start of the blue trail. This time you will take a left towards the Clay Pit, and follow the Blue Loop backwards for a little more than half a mile until you reach the Crossroads. This is where the Blue and the Red loops intersect.
Here you will take a left, and follow a long flat doubletrack all the way to the Eastern border of the property, where the trail will bear right and start the Powerline Climb. This is the biggest climb of the day and rolls it's way up to the southeastern corner of StableView (marked by the cell tower). Embrace the struggle, because it's about to get fun.
Soon the trail will roll back on itself and you will enter The ZigZags. This is a series of 4 long switchbacks on beautiful rolling grassy hills. I think this is one of my favorite places to run. I once saw two tiny bobcat kittens on this section; they looked like little
chubby house cats, but with tufted ears and little bob tails.
After the ZigZags there will be a nice downhill and then a left onto a lovely grassy trail that runs parallel and just above the one you started on. This will eventually drop back down to the Crossroads, completing the Red Loop. From there you will follow the Blue markers straight ahead to return to the Pavillion.
Pro tip: if you are in a hurry, but a bit hungry, order a sandwich from the Bistro online when you reach the Crossroads and it should be ready for pickup by the time you arrive.
Stay safe and have a blast out there!
Embracing Summer with Refreshing Snacking and Optimal Hydration
As a seasoned wellness advocate and the driving force behind this enterprise, Stephanie Everett is also the co-creator of Thrive 9 Spine & Planner + the t9 app—a comprehensive, holistic blueprint for lifestyle optimization. Her story mirrors that of many others, having once battled personal wellness struggles, which gives her a deep understanding of the challenges people face in achieving their goals. Stephanie shares her approach to lifestyle optimization through corporate wellness programs and retreats held across the East Coast. To learn more, here’s her website:
https://www.totalevolution.net/
Stephanie Everett, the founder of Total Evolution Health & Transition & Lake Girl Retreats, is a passionate advocate for establishing healthy habits. This past May, she hosted an inspiring Lake Girl Retreat at The Healing Arts at Stable View, where participants enjoyed a rejuvenating experience that combined
connection with nature, community bonding, and implementing healthy nutrition into busy schedules. With her expertise in wellness and her enthusiasm for long-distance running, Stephanie is dedicated to empowering individuals to lead healthier, more balanced lives. We can't wait for the next retreat and the amazing experiences it will bring!
As the summer heats up, Stephanie believes it is important to adjust not only our diets but also our hydration practices. With a focus on light, refreshing meals and effective ways to stay hydrated, here are some of her insights and tips to thrive during the
Summer is the perfect time to embrace a grazing lifestyle. Instead of heavy meals, consider snacking throughout the day on a variety of fresh options. Think of colorful fruits, crunchy veggies, nutrient-dense nuts, and even some protein-packed beef jerky. These snacks are not only satisfying but also provide a great balance of nutrients to keep your energy up during the day. In the evenings, you can enjoy a simple meal that is both refreshing and easy to prepare.
Hydration is crucial, especially if you’re active during the summer. Whether you’re running, hiking, or simply enjoying outdoor activities, staying hydrated can significantly affect your performance and recovery. It’s essential to hydrate both before and after exercising to maintain optimal performance and avoid dehydration.
A fantastic hydration tip shared on Stephanie’s blog states, “If your drink has more sugar than a candy bar, it’s probably working against you rather than for you”. Instead, consider hydrating both before and after a run with "nature’s Gatorade"—just lemon water with a pinch of Celtic salt. It’s a simple, natural way to support hydration and electrolyte balance.
Afte body wit s sug
rehydrating but also adding essential electrolytes back into your system. Plus, these packets can easily be found at Costco, making them an accessible choice for many. Another quick option is to drink a protein packed drink (within 60 minutes) post run such as the individual bottles of Fair Life chocolate milk shakes with 30g of high quality protein.
If you're interested in reading more about effective hydration practices, check out her blog post titled "Thirst for Knowledge: Hydration," where she delves deeper into maintaining hydration and enhancing physical activity.
Blog Link: Thirst for Knowledge: Hydration
Coach’s Corner with Victoria: 12
Victoria Seahorn, founding Race Director of the ING Georgia Marathon is a veteran of 30 marathons and numerous half marathons. In addition to her personal experience completing races, Seahorn has created training programs to guide more than 10,000 people to achieve their goal of completing marathons to 5K’s.
During her career, Seahorn has been in demand as a speaker, coach, marathon pace group program organizer and leader. She is the race director of The Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View trail races.
Need motivation throughout the summer?
Challenge yourself to running for mileage or by time, not speed.
Join a group!
Running in the heat can be more fun with friend. It’s easier to get up and at it knowing that people are waiting on you. And if you are paying to be a part of a group or coaching sessions, it’s even more motivating as you want to get your monies worth. Set a goal for a fall/winter race. Not skipping your training during the summer and logging those miles in the heat (safely, remembering to hydrate and pay attention to heat stress) will make you stronger when running in the cool weather. By the time you reach your fall/winter race, whether it is a 5K or marathon, you will feel the difference. To quote a friend “ summer sweat builds fall strength.”
Keeping it cool…
Find a shaded route.
Always run with a full water bottle.
Keep a towel on ice for your post run. I especially like Sukeen
Cooling Towels found on Amazon. But there are many more brands available.
Stay cool and happy running.
Coach Victoria Seahorn
The OG Trailblazer: The Legacy of the Bell Telephone Line
Glass Bulb from the Lines
The Bell Telephone Line, which started out as the Am Tel & Tel Co. line, has a great story about how the area has changed and connected over time. One interesting spot is the Center Spine/Sand Road, kicking off from Stable View’s Gate 2. When they built Interstate 20 (I-20) in the late 1960s, it really changed
how people got around here. Before I-20, the local roads and trails were the main ways for the community to connect. There used to be a dirt road that ran next to what’s now the power line trail (Red Loop), leading to the Old Graniteville Highway. This road was super important for locals, especially before the interstate came along and shook things up. Once I-20 was built, that dirt road adjusted to help folks from Springfield Church Road and Redd Hill access the interstate before they put up the fencing. But with I-20 also came a physical barrier that changed how people moved around. What used to be a path for the community became separated by the interstate, changing how residents interacted with one another and the areas around them. Looking back at the Bell Telephone Line and the roads around it shows how infrastructure really impacts our lives. As I-20 reshaped the landscape, the stories of those local roads that are now trails highlight a legacy that’s still evolving today. The remnants of those earlier routes still tell stories of a rich past, reminding us of the ongoing relationship between our communities and progress.
August Trails Report:
Numerous bobwhite quail heard in the morning – listed for their calls: morning "bob-white" or "bob-bob-white"; it’s that time of year - keep an eye out and/or carry a stick in the mornings for spider webs across the trails.
Trail Map:
