18-Mile Georgia Jewel Ultramarathon Training D-13

Only two weeks left until the Georgia Jewel Ultramarathon! Amid a mix of nervousness and excitement, we set out for training today fully equipped as if it were the real race. At 7:30 AM, we gathered at Vista View Park in Broward County, the one place where you can find something resembling "mountain-like hills."

The Boiling September of Miami, and an Unexpected Setback

From early morning, the temperature was already 30°C (86°F) with humidity nearing 90%. Under the scorching sun, it felt like running through water. "Ah, this is what September in Miami is all about!" I couldn't help but sigh.

An unexpected snag hit us while we were running hard. About 4.5 miles in, one of our team members sprained their ankle, and unfortunately, we had to end the training session. Maybe everyone secretly wanted a break because of the extreme heat. 😅

A Sweet Rest After the Sweat: Enjoying Vista View Park

Although the training ended early, we gathered at a shelter to have lunch, share snacks, and chat about how we were doing. We exchanged information under the cool shade of the trees and had a pleasant time. Luckily, we also got to see the park's mascot, the cute Burrowing Owl, which was a nice bonus.

Vista View Park: Davie's Gem That Defies the Ordinary

Located in Davie, Florida, Vista View Park is a truly unique and charming place. Its most prominent feature is the man-made hills, a rare sight in the flat landscape of South Florida. Let me briefly introduce the charms of this park.

1. Impressive Hills and Sweeping Views The park is a beautiful green space transformed from a former landfill. Thanks to this, it has large and small hills reaching an elevation of 65 feet (about 20 meters). These hills are the symbol and pride of Vista View Park. True to its name, the top of the hills offers a panoramic view of the surrounding area. It provides a stunning landscape, especially at sunrise and sunset, where you can see the city skyline and even parts of the Everglades.

2. A Space for Various Leisure Activities The well-paved paths that go up and down the hills are a top training course for cyclists, runners, and walkers. Additionally, thanks to the height of the hills and the open space, it's a popular spot for paragliding, hang gliding, and remote-controlled airplane enthusiasts. The colorful gliders decorating the sky are a common sight here. There are even equestrian trails on the outskirts of the park, allowing for a variety of activities.

3. Family-Friendly Facilities On the flat ground at the base of the hills, there are wide grassy areas with picnic shelters and playgrounds, making it perfect for family visitors. There are also small lakes where you can enjoy fishing, making it a great place to spend a relaxing time.

4. Unique Ecological Environment Vista View Park is also famous for being a habitat for the Burrowing Owl, a small owl that lives in burrows in the ground. You can often spot these cute owls in the open grassy areas of the hills.

In summary, Vista View Park is not an ordinary park; it is a special space where the dynamic landscape created by man-made hills and a variety of outdoor activities utilizing that terrain come together. It's a place where you can enjoy refreshing views and unique leisure that you can't experience on flat land, making it an even more precious spot for Miami runners.

With two weeks left until the ultramarathon, we'll leave today's training disappointment behind and focus on conditioning and final preparations for the remaining period. To all the runners, let's keep fighting until the day we all cross the finish line without injury!