Aiken Trails Club August Newsletter (2)

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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 25 @ 8am – Aiken Trailblazer at Stable View Headless Horseman Half Marathon/10k/5k/ Kids Fun Run Registration HERE:

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

January 24 @ 8am – Battle of the Run Clubs 10mile/10k/5k hosted by Aiken Trails Club at Stable View

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:

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

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

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