I try to politely smile as friends and random strangers tell me about all the things I won’t be able to do anymore.

Oh, you better go to all the restaurants you can now, because you won’t be able to do that soon.

Oh, you’re not going to be able to travel very much anymore. It’s good you and your husband are getting those trips in while you can.

Oh, working out and running aren’t going to be as easy for you moving forward. You probably won’t be able to train like you have in the past.

Politely smile, politely nod. Repeat.

I must have missed the memo that I’m having a baby in January, not going to live in a maximum security prison or receiving a blunt head injury resulting in severe amnesia that makes me forget about any interests I’ve ever had during the past 34 years. Here at rUnladylike headquarters, we know we are in for a big and exciting adventure that is sure to be a roller coaster ride full of highs and lows, ups and downs, triumphs and challenges. There is a big difference between thinking I’m ready or anticipating how I will feel/act and what actually happens in reality. Adding a little baby to our family will be hard most days for the foreseeable weeks and my current concept of what it means to be tired doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of the exhaustion I’m likely to actually feel.

But I’m perfectly OK with that. I’m ready to welcome the chaos and beauty and challenge of it all. Things are hard until they get easier. Mountains seem daunting until we climb them. Barriers seem impassable until we learn to adjust our road map. Priorities change for a while until new plans are made. Travel slows until it starts again. Rebuilding a running base takes time until you’re back at peak shape performance.

One More Adventure

Mr. rUnladylike and I headed to Arizona during the week of Thanksgiving for some rest and relaxation where the humidity is low and the scenery is inspiring. Rather than calling our babymoon the final adventure or last hoorah before Baby D’Avanza makes her debut in less than six weeks, it’s simply one more adventure in a line of many more to come.

We spent three days in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains in Tucson, which also included a stop at our third National Park of the year in our quest to eventually hit them all.

READ: Best Places to Run in Tucson

We stayed at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, which I’d highly recommend. On the afternoon we arrived, we started our trip with with a bang at their Blues, Brews and BBQ brunch. The overflowing dessert bar more than made up for the fact that I had to forego the all-you-can-drink beer and mimosas.

One of the reasons I love this part of Arizona is because it’s a rare region in the United States with saguaro cacti. You may be thinking, “What’s the big deal about a cactus?” But these saguaros are the largest in the nation and are such a metaphor for running and life. I’ve talked about how they inspire me before, but it takes them a minimum of 75 years before their first arm begins to grow. They live for more than 150 years and can weigh up to 8 tons while surviving harsh summer weather and little rainfall. They are true symbols of perseverance, overcoming adversity and strength. As a runner, I want to be like a saguaro cactus.

During our two full days in Tucson, we were either being extremely active or incredibly relaxed.

I got two spa treatments (a massage and facial) and spent a lot of time reading and relaxing at the pool.

But our down time was certainly balanced out by an equal amount of exercise and hiking. I got in three workouts at the hotel gym, including strength training, the elliptical and stationary bike. Shouldn’t every gym have a view like this?

But the highlight of the trip was going to Saguaro National Park and Mt. Lemmon.

Visiting Saguaro National Park

Saguaro National Park became an official National Park in 1994 to protect the saguaro cacti. It is divided into two sections of land, one to the east and one to the west of Tucson’s city center. We explored the eastern portion of the park during our trip.

We drove the 8.3-mile scenic Cactus Forest Loop Drive, which makes for a beautiful view of the park and saguaro cacti. We then hiked the Loma Verde Trail, a 3.4-mile round trip hike that is completely flat. I wore some new trail gear my friends at Brooks Running recently sent me to try, including the Mazama trail running shoes (which I LOVE and will share a full review on soon) and the Cascadia running jacket (which came in really handy since it was windy and misting, elements this waterproof, windproof jacket helps repel).

Saguaro selfie!

Mr. rUnladylike climbed on top of the above rock, named after the javelina animal which looks like a mix between a pig and a bear. It appears steep in the photo below, but there is almost no elevation to be found on the main hiking trails in Saguaro National Park.

What you should know about Saguaro National Park before you go

• Unlike many of our other National Park trips, Saguaro doesn’t need or require more than one day to explore. I would recommend making your visit to Saguaro National Park part of a larger trip to Arizona and wouldn’t recommend a trip just to visit this park like you might plan for the Grand Canyon, Yosemite or other large parks. Stay at one of the nearby resorts in the Catalina Foothills of Tucson, and divide your time between hiking and relaxing at the pool or spa. We were pleased with our experience and service at the Lowes Ventana Canyon, less than a 30-minute drive to Saguaro National Park.
• There is virtually no elevation on the hikes in the park. The hike we did had 70 feet of elevation change. There are a few hikes that include about 700 total feet over 5-6 miles, but you won’t find much strenuous hiking here. The paths/trails are also somewhat limited compared to other National Parks.
• Don’t expect a huge “payoff” at the end of your hikes at Saguaro National Park like you might expect at other parks where you climb to the top to get a stunning and spectacular view. The views on most hikes in Saguaro are mostly the same from every direction, and since there is no real elevation change, you are looking at the landscape from a level view as opposed to a mountain top.
• Saguaro National Park is an amazing place to see saguaro cacti up close and personal, along with other varieties of cacti. No two saguaros are ever exactly alike, and it is fun to compare and contrast their sizes and shapes along the hike.
• The weather is extraordinarily hot in Tucson during the summer (as in 107+ degrees), so plan your trip in the early spring or fall to get the best weather. There is very low humidity in Tucson, so be sure to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated in the dry conditions.

After a few hours at Saguaro National Park, we went to Mt. Lemmon and made the 26-mile drive to the top. It is the highest point in the Santa Catalina Mountains at 9,159 feet. There is even a small town called Summerhaven at the top where people live. The drive was truly amazing. As we ascended, the terrain and scenery changed drastically, going from 72 degrees and looking like the Arizona desert with cacti to a bone-chilling 35 degrees and raining at the top with fir trees, snow and a ski lodge.

After a few fabulous days out west, we made it home just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with our family and close family friends. We reflected on the many incredible blessings we have to be thankful for this year and always. And, while there were no turkey trots for this pregnant runner this year, I’m getting excited to rebuild my running base in February after Baby rUnladylike arrives in early January.

How did you spend your Thanksgiving? If you’ve ever been to Saguaro National Park or Arizona, tell me about your favorite parts of the trip. How is your running and training going so far this holiday season?