I have been running nearly every day since being on vacation in Arizona, if you could call it that. My runs have been getting progressively worse, starting at 4 miles and going down to 2 miles. My body feels heavy and I can’t really get into a groove. Thankfully I have found other activities to get me moving, so that I can eat my weight in these almonds.
The mountains in Arizona are nothing like the mountains in Washington. I go from green- moss filled paths, to brown- dirt filled paths. The change up is fun though, and I love hiking in both states. I just love hiking in general. Give me a path that goes up and I am happy.
I went hiking with my sister and my dad a few days ago and the weather was perfect.
I have hiked this mountain many times, but it’s still just as exhilarating and exciting reaching the top. Looking down over the city is magical, and surprisingly peaceful.
I had a sudden desire to partake in some mountain yoga, and thankfully my photographer was happy to oblige. Thanks dad, I never claimed to be normal.
Close up
Far away, and stamped with an Instagram filter
Balance is bliss – this is clearly my phrase of the century.
I’m amazed by the weather in Arizona right now, and going back to temps in the 30’s wont allow for leisurely bike rides in a tank top. I’m taking full advantage while I can.
Q: What’s your favorite outdoor activity? Mine changes by season…and by day!
50 thoughts on “Balance is Bliss”
Ashley @MilesonOats
How cool! I live in AZ so I was excited to see that you’ve been taking advantage of our mountains here 🙂 I am originally from Seattle, haha so I know what a blessing the weather can be for you 😉 You should try Camelback and the South Mountain trails! I hope you have an amazing stay.
And if you want some foodie action try Joe’s Farm Grill, Chop Shop, or True Foods while your here 🙂
-Ashley
Brittany
OH MY GOSH I ate at True Foods like 3 days ago and I have a post in my drafts about it. It was like pure magic in there I was SOOO OBSESSED! I have hiked two different sides to Camelback, but haven’t been to South Mountain yet!! I tried to get someone to go yesterday, but we opted for a closer to home trail instead!!
I’ll have to look into those other foodie places, thank you!!
Nicole Marie Story
Your outdoor yoga is divine, darling!!! You will love my new yoga blog!!! It’s about finding my yoga again… on and off of the mat. Happy happy happy!!!
happyappalachy
I love Arizona like no other! Enjoy your hiking in the lovely warmth there!
The vegan 8
Wow, beautiful photos and views! Love the yoga poses. 🙂
My favorite outdoor activity would be bike riding. I absolutely love to ride the bike!!!
Alex @ therunwithin
I would love to be able to hike, we are currently sitting in snow in these parts. yuck
PNWRunner
I am so jealous of the weather that you had in AZ! I’ve always wanted to visit AZ, perhaps even live there one day. I love the hot weather and I miss wearing tank tops! Uhhhh 6-7 more months till summer! 😀
kathy @ vodka and soda
GAH!!!!!!! we woke up to -24C weather AND everyone was experiencing “ice quakes” last night which means that because of the frigid temps, the water in the ground expands and cracks so it sounds like a sonic boom. it was weird. so yes, i’m VERY jelly of the weather you’re in. lucky you!!.
my favorite outdoor activity – trail running! i can’t wait to get back at it in the spring.
Amy @ A Desert Girl
Ahhh, gotta love the desert in the winter! The pics of you on the mountain reminds me of a friend who lives in Phoenix. Her now-husband-then-boyfriend had some shoes he insisted on breaking in on a hike. She begrudgingly went with him on the hike, wanting to stop multiple times because she just wasn’t feeling it. He pushed her onward and upward, and at the top she collapsed, annoyed with him. He said, “Hey, come look at this,” and she’s all, “WHATTT now??” and he’s on one knee with a ring nestled in a box in the rocks. Needless to say, she felt bad about being so pissy!
Brittany
OH MY GOSH!! HAHAHA, what a story!!
Catherine @ A Two Storey Home
The photos are amazing!! It’s tough to beat a good hike… or even a mediocre hike for that matter!
Those almonds are like crack. I love the salted chocolate!!
Megan
I LOVE HIKING. I have 1 awesome mountain and 1 incredible non mountain we will be hiking when you arrive!! You look great doing yoga up there!!
Brittany
I seriously cannot wait. We must tear up those mountains!!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
I’m definitely sharing in your love for the mountains, but I’m currently snowboarding down them instead of hiking up them 😉 Hope the rest of your trip is amazing!
pickyrunner
I really got into hiking last November and now I want to go again! If only we didn’t just get 18 inches of snow… Boo winter. SO jealous that you’re wearing a tank in those pictures!!
Life After Swimming
I SO wish that we lived somewhere with good mountains to hike. I do love living near the beach, but I love hiking, too! Great pictures!
Caitlyn
Love the pictures of you on the mountain! Gorgeous. i have only gone hiking like once in my life but I loved it! I don’t get out in nature enough and it’s sad. Need to change that!
Change of Pace
Looks so amazing- glad you’re having a good time and getting outside lots!
I’ve always said AZ tops my list for places I’d love to live in the States (CO a close second). The IG yoga shot is so beautiful!
I love, love, love to hike! But same as you, my favourite outdoor activity changes all the time. I think running always wins though 🙂
Brittany
I NEED to visit CO! I think I would fit in there wonderfully, it’s definitely on my list. If you move there please let me know, I would love to visit you! 😉
Amy
Awww I’m SO happy you’re enjoying your vacation in Arizona!! What mountain is that? We’ve hiked a couple in the Phoenix area (couple = only 2 that I can remember), but the views look vaguely familiar… Although most parts of Arizona do. Lost of red dirt and cacti! 😉
For me, yoga actually started to ruin my running. Strange but true! I’d over exert or over stretch my legs on my “off” (yoga) days, and they wouldn’t have enough time to recover for my run the next day. When I stopped yoga and switched to light upper body weights, my runs improved dramatically. I know everybody is different, and what works for me won’t necessarily work for you, but I thought I’d share anyway! 🙂
Soak up as much sun as you can for the rest of your trip!!!
Brittany
It’s Squaw Peak mountain!! It’s in the Phoenix area, but yes most mountains look alike to me too haha. I don’t do much yoga, I go at least once a week, but that’s crazy how it affected you!!
Amy
Ahh okay, we hiked Pinnacle Peak instead. Both have amazing breath taking views! 🙂
B
I love going for a good hike, especially when the weather is perfect! I don’t really do too much in the winter time though!
Kim
I recently got some dark chocolate sea salt almonds from nuts online. They were so yummy!! The ones from Trader Joes look very similar. I love Trader Joes…
Brittany
Those almonds are a serious weakness of mine. I rarely buy them unless I know there will be others around to share with. I could easily eat the entire container!
Rach @ This Italian Family
I love love LOVE that last shot of you!
sincerelylily
gahhhh you are such an outdoorsy woman, love it. Do you like to camp? I feel like you would do well with being in a tent with no running water. For me, camping feels like I’m pretending to be homeless. Not exactly the best. I last like one night.
The last picture is amazinggg and I love the one of you bent down touching one toe, other arm straight out. Super happy you are enjoying the sun and doing something every day. Balance is such an necessity, really, in every facet in life.
I went a 5 mile walk yesterday b/c we got like 7 inches of snow and there was no way to run in it. It was really refreshing to do something different. I like, never walk. I always run. So I’m happy I got to just take my time and trek through the snow.
Brittany
I DO like to camp, HOWEVER…you’re going to laugh and be like “really..” BUT when I camp in Washington I get a little nervous because the woodsy areas are infested with slugs. Ugh I just hate them. I actually haven’t gone camping in a while!! I HAVE NO ONE TO GO WITH BUT I WANNA!
YESSS I love that you went for a walk. I LOVE going for long walks like that, they can be so relaxing. Balance is my favorite word..ever…I want to get it tattooed onto my skin. Balance in EVERY aspect of life is key! ❤
Matt @ Runner Savvy
You know my favorite is running 🙂
bri @ deliciously active
I’ve been in the same type of weird running funk. It’s mildly comforting to know it’s not just happening to me. It’s weird and I hope I break through soon. Instead of forcing it, I went for a bike ride this morning instead.
An Unrefined Vegan
Who wouldn’t be inspired by views like that? Gorgeous. I’m going to go with running/hiking. Exercising with a view is the best motivator!
P
Yes, take advantage of that lovely weather! My running mileage has been lower than mediocre as of late…I am resolving to get back on track on Sunday 😉
itsthecookiemonster
tank tops in december?! im sorta kinda really jelly right now 😛
apartmentwife
“Give me a path that goes up and I am happy.” – you and me both 🙂 and mountain yoga? i’m planning to copy you when we got to arizona at the end of february — wait for it 🙂
Brittany
Can’t wait!! 😉
Kadee-Cat
I love going on hikes but don’t really get to anymore since moving to Oklahoma. Boo! But anything outside is a lot more fun for me than being inside 😀
Love these pictures! And your shirt is so cute!
brickhousechick
“Brittany looks blissfully balanced stretching her beautifully buffed body, beckoning the gods above, benevolently basking in the beauty below, peace billowing over the mountain as she blazingly bonds with her beloved father.”
Your beautiful pictures inspired me! 🙂
Brittany
This made my month…I love it!
A Tablespoon of Liz
I’ve always lived in relatively flat areas- so hiking was always out of the question. I lived in Oregon one summer though and did a lot of it, and it was so much fun! Probably something I’d do a lot of if I didn’t constantly find myself in farmlands.
Luv What You Do
How have I never tried those almonds before?
I love that you are hiking and your yoga photos are incredible! I’m so jealous! We have cold snow rain and ice here. I am kind of wishing I had snow shoes! My favorite outdoor activity has to be running and biking. When I get the chance to hike though, I LOVE it! Need to add more of that into 2014!
Brittany
OH MY GOSH, do yourself a favor and GO BUY THOSE ALMONDS this week!! Seriously…do it.
Kailey (Caffeinated Runner)
Sorry to hear that your runs were crappy, but Arizona hikes looks beautiful!! I’ve only been to Scottsdale but it was so pretty 🙂
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
OMG … that is gorgeous! I can’t believe you were doing yoga up there! I would of fallen off haha
jessielovestorun
Girl – you are looking great!! Not that you hadn’t in the past, but you just seem to be glowing at the moment.
Brittany
Aww, thank you my friend! 😉 Getting some sun exposure has done wonders for my “glow.”
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Girl I love seeing you so damn happy. You are getting your groove back for sure. Enjoy that beautiful weather while it lasts.
Favorite outdoor activity: yard work; I love digging in the dirt. Plus power tools rock.
Brittany
Umm..we are soul mates. I love yard work and other similar activities that aren’t “typical” workouts. They are amazing and almost always FULL body workouts!
thoughtsappear
I envy your yoga. I tried to do some this weekend…the baby didn’t like it.
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di @ life of di.
I really wish I could practice yoga the way you do. One of my ‘goals’ this year is to try a yoga class 🙂 I’m thinking hot yoga!