Along My Run | 19 - Perfect Fall Weather

There's so much to love about October - the leaves start to render their colorful coat, the air is fresh and crisp and the warm sunlight casts a perfect glow. It's my favorite time of year for running - most days are warm enough for shorts and a tee shirt but cool enough to be perfectly comfortable while crunching through the leaves.

We were spoiled this October. It's been dry and warm. I've got a group of friends to share my Saturday long runs with, and I've convinced several others to run with me in the dark during the weekdays.


1. Daydreamer, 2. Fall Perfection , 3. Instead of Running the CM, 4. Big Sky Morning , 5. Nothing But Blue skies , 6. Pop! , 7. Under the Canopy, Enjoying Our Fall Run, 8. Hello From the Outside

October Stats:
Distance: 135 miles - my biggest monthly run volume of the year, just shy of my 2014 max.
Average pace: 9:23 minutes / mile

I didn't train for a fall race, but my running friends were training for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, so most of my Saturday runs were in the 15-17 mile range. I had deferred my entry to the Chicago Marathon, felt (slight) twinges of remorse as I tracked my friends running on race day. My goal is to run it in 2016 with a bunch of friends in tow. I just need to convince them to sign up!

This month's running quotes:
Running isn't forced. You have to relax and let the run come out of you.
– Desiree Linden

Setting goals requires gazing way out at the horizon of your life. But once you set your course, most of the time your awareness should be on the trail under your feet.
– Lauren Fleshman

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Along My Run | 18 - Working My Way Back

Although it has been a while since my last running update, I have been actively running and ramping the miles up.
After completing a spring spring marathon, the sins of training while slightly injured caught up with me and I took 6 weeks off from running.
Then we went to Kauai for a family vacation, which marked my slow return back to running. I got spoiled by the scenery, the sounds and smells of paradise - my runs were carefree and fun, just like the vacation itself.

Upon getting back to Illinois, the reality of high humidity and the heavy, oppressive summer haze punctuated the rest of July. I decided to defer my 2015 Chicago Marathon entry to next year. While I could have buckled down to complete the training cycle, my head just wasn't "in the game". That decision took the pressure off and I ran because I wanted to, when I wanted to, whatever distance I wanted to and got back to the simple enjoyment of the run. That's not to say that every run was easy - I really dislike heat and humidity!



1. Running in Kauai , 2. Yesterday's Post Run Yoga , 3. Hazy Shade of Summer , 4. So Humid Outside, 5. The Fog Reveals All, 6. The Mystery, 7. A Little Solitude to Start , 8. In the Calm , 9. Turned Upside Down
July Stats: 58 miles, 9:38 min/mile pace

August started with a weekend trip to Michigan and ended with more humidity. I slowly increased my weekly mileage (without getting injured!) and had my first 100+ mile month since April.

1. Moon Setting, 2. Rise and Shine , 3. Red August, 4. Let the Water Calm and draw you In, 5. Falling slowly, sing your melody I'll sing it out loud. , 6. Oh I Can See You Now, I can see the love in your eyes, 7. Won't Focus, 8. Today's Finish , 9. Bright Spots
August Stats: 113 miles, 9:35 min/mile pace

September heralded in slightly cooler and drier conditions.

1. Trail run today, 2. Running in the Shadows, 3. Transition , 4. See Through to the Mist, 5. Promises for the Day Ahead, 6. Standout Still , 7. Morning Glory, 8. Wait For It, 9. Renegade
September Stats: 119 miles, 9:40 min/mile pace

Some running quotes to share:
The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself–the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us–that's where it's at.
– Jesse Owens

Running is a thing worth doing not because of the future rewards it bestows, but because of how it feeds our bodies and minds and souls in the present.
– Kevin Nelson

I run because there's no better way to see the sun rise and set.
– Amby Burfoot

I totally agree....

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The Golden Hour

August's golden light swept through the prairie
Summer's sweet breeze, fading









Shared with Mosaic Monday. Is summer fading fast where you are?

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Seize the Day - Acadia's Ocean Path Revisited

We awoke Wednesday morning (July 3) to bright, sunny skies. The skies were blue and there was much rejoicing!

About half the group decided to go and explore the Ocean Path. This was a repeat visit for me, but I didn't have any issues revisiting the beautiful coast, especially with the clear day. This time, we started from the north and headed south. We arrived early and had no issues finding a parking spot at the popular Sand Beach parking lot. [side bar - my advice during high season for ANYTHING - arrive early and you beat the crowds and the heat - this applies to amusement parks, Disney, whatever!]

It didn't take long for the kids to venture off the path and onto the rocks. After the initial parental response ("Be Careful! Don't get too close to the edge! Take small Steps! Don't Run!"), we realized the kids are old enough to exercise caution and we (my sister and I) stopped barking out orders and let them roam the rocks.



They even staged some "fun" shots:




We took time for family photos:




And overall had a great morning.


Shared with Mosaic Monday.

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Hike Around Long Pond

On Monday, our entire clan of 14 embarked on a hike around Long Pond. The pond is pretty well smack in the middle of the western "lobe" of Mount Desert Island and not too far from our accommodations in the far west side of the island.

The weather was not as misty as Sunday, but it there was still a fair amount of cloud cover. Fortunately, the temperatures were just right for hiking inland - not too hot, and not too cool.

It's been a rock skipping / throwing kind of a vacation for the boys. What is it about rocks and water?


The path along the pond has some rocky portions, but is listed as an "easy" hike.


A common stopping point comes early in the hike - where large boulders meet the path. My sister saw this as a perfect place to arrange the males in the group around on the various rock ledges.



It's a challenge to get a photo where no one is goofing off, especially with this crew. We did get several purposefully goofy shots. Somehow, I have more success in that genre with these guys.


Everyone is hamming it up, except for my brother in law, Ray, who is on the far right just laughing at all the silliness around him.

We went to take a group photo of the outnumbered females when disaster struck - we were posing when Winnie dropped her precious Bunny down into the deep crevices of the rocks. Intense drama (ie big tears and crying) ensued as we thought Bunny was lost in the depths of Long Pond. But Uncle Ray jumped to the rescue, retrieving Bunny from below.


He had to give Bunny some CPR to revive her:


Then she was delivered back up:


All was right in Winnie's world again. At least long enough to get a decent group photo.


We hiked maybe a mile before turning back. Truthfully, with a group this big, it is really slow going. Even an easy hike is a little difficult for my parents, especially on the rocky areas. We still had a great time together.


Shared with Mosaic Monday.

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What's In the Garden Now

I have more iris blooming in the garden - the slender Japanese Iris and the bigger Water Iris. And then there are the roses. I only have one rose bush and nearly killed it several years ago due to neglect, but it has rebounded these last two years. Of course I haven't changed the way I care for it! I think the combination of a mild winter, cool and wet spring has rejuvenated it. In fact, all the roses in the neighborhood look fabulous.



Then there is the bunny. Or I should say bunnies because I have seen at least two of them playing tag. However cute and innocent looking, I know they are responsible for the decimation of my freshly planted parsley! Oh well, in the past, it has grown back, so I am hopeful.....

Shared with Mary and Mosaic Monday

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Hello Monday | End of Spring Sports Season

A Mosaic Featuring the Senior Soccer Players

Hello Senior Soccer Players | I've trying to get a group photo of these young ladies - this afternoon is my last chance as the photo is needed for Senior Night on Wednesday.

Hello Last Soccer Game | It feels like the season just started! The JV team's last game is on Wednesday.

Hello Iron Man 3D at the new IMAX theatre | the inaugural show for the first IMAX theatre in town. There are only two multiplexes in our little college town. Both have been renovating / constructing IMAX screens, but the theatre on the north side of town decided to handle their renovation by completely demolishing their existing building and has been closed since March. That leaves one movie theatre in town, one new IMAX debuting the Iron Man 3 movie. Can you say massive crowds? We are hoping to avoid the crowds by going on Thursday....

Hello Pool | I've decided to take a week off from running - my right ankle hurts and probably needs some time to heal. I'm going to swim instead.

Hello Girls Only Weekend | The Boys of the house are going to St. Louis this weekend - they are going to see the Cardinals play the Rockies. Who knows what we'll do.... pedicures? Shopping? Catching up on Downton Abby? Whatever it is, I'm sure we won't be watching ESPN.

hello monday | looking forward to what the week has in store for us.

Inspired by my friend, Lee at Embrace Life, Hello Monday provides a peek into the coming week - in all its glory. Join us and Lisa for the Hello Monday fun

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Has Spring Finally Sprung?

I am amazed at how late the spring flowers are around here. It really looks like early April or even late March, but here we are at May 5 and these are just starting to bloom.

Fragrant Viburnum:


Chives:


Pink Blossoms on a plant in my neighbor's yard. I have no idea what they are, but the blooms are small, pink and pretty.


Happy Spring (Finally!!)


Sharing with Mary and Mosaic Monday

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All That Jazz

Our busy week ended Saturday evening with entertainment while attending the local high school's Jazz Festival. The Festival spans two days, and our son's middle school Jazz band played Saturday evening. The timing was perfect - well after the road races we ran early in the morning - and the venue was so relaxing. The high school gym was transformed into what felt like an old school Jazz Club - a brightly illuminated stage with a darkened audience. We sat at round tables with our food and drink and enjoyed the mix of swing, classic and modern jazz performed by several groups.









Linked to Mary and Mosaic Monday.

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Band Competitions

Our son plays saxophone in his middle school band and jazz band. The concert band counts as a class during school - the group meets every day and the kids are graded on their participation and effort. The jazz band is completely voluntary - the group practices before school at 7am three times a week. You know these kids really value their sleep, so the musicians in the jazz band are pretty dedicated to the group, because I know getting up extra early isn't the easiest thing.

The bands participated in a competition this past weekend where their performance was judged. The concert band was a little "off" at times, but in general, performed well.

The jazz band sounded fantastic and received top results from the judges. It was really great to hear them do so well. I happened to miss their last performance because I was in the Bahamas (I didn't even realize I would be missing the event until the week before).

And some photos to highlight the event. The venue was very nice and I'm sure it was a treat for the kids to perform on a good stage.



We're very proud of our kids and the music program at the schools.

Linked to Mosaic Monday.

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Barns Along the Prairie

Yesterday's soccer season kick off tournament required us to take a little drive through the country, along the prairie and through some small towns. I only captured some of the barns I spotted along the way because I wasn't quite prepared with my camera. It was early and the sky was overcast - I didn't think my camera would come in handy until we had passed by some cool scenes.

But here is a small collection of the barns I managed to snap photos of.



Linked to Mosaic Monday.

And what a difference a day makes. Yesterday, we enjoyed a sunny afternoon and the warmest temperatures all month long - almost 50 degF. Right now, we are under a winter (hold on, isn't it Spring?) storm warning - there's at least 6 inches of heavy snow on the ground already and the snow isn't expected to wane until tomorrow morning! The kids are scheduled to go back to school tomorrow, but I'm betting on a snow day....

edited to add - it's official - snow day tomorrow!

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In the Marina

I don't know who can afford such a luxury as a yacht, but there was plenty of eye candy around the Atlantis Marina to take in.







In Downtown Nassau, you see big and little, old and new:







Shared with Mosaic Monday and Simple Things Sunday

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Diversion | A Quiet Winter's Day

Before I awoke Saturday morning, I had definitive plans - get up, run 8 to 9 miles, drop off photos, pick up daughter from the stable, do laundry, etc, etc.

I awoke to this in the backyard:


Not a lot of snow, but enough divert my plans for the day.

With the snow, lack of street clearing, and slippery sidewalks, I decided not to run at all. I still ran a little on the treadmill and did a yoga class, but these activities did not wear me out like a long run would. With residual energy to burn, I took a long photo walk on campus, around The Japan House grounds.





Yes, it was cold, and I had the place all to myself, but stillness in the air was so calming and peaceful. At the end of my walk, I felt rejuvenated.



Sometimes a diversion ends up being what you really needed.



Shared with Simple Things Sunday and Mosaic Monday. Hope you have a wonderful Super Bowl Sunday Evening!

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Those Darn Cats

I know you are inundated by cat photos on Instagram, YouTube and other social media sites. But who can't resist these fuzzy guys? They look so cute and innocent....



1. At Attention, 2. On Her Ear, 3. Catitude, 4. I'm in the Spot Now

Doing what they do best - napping, hanging out and showing that "catitude".

Linked to Mosaic Monday. Hope you have a great day.

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Exploring Close to Home

I didn't realize the horse stable was close to a large lake and forest preserve. Last Saturday, I performed a search on my iPhone Maps (no, I haven't upgraded to the newest version, so my iPhone is still using Google maps!) and set out after dropping off the girl.

Who knew, in the middle of the prairie, there would be a large lake surrounded by all these trees?



It was a beautiful Indian summer day - not too warm, not cool at all, with a bit of a breeze, and plenty of sunshine. Walking down one of the paths instantly calmed my frazzled mind.






1. Secluded, 2. At My Feet, 3. Wandering, 4. For the Birds

I must come back when I have more time to explore. And if you live close to a forest preserve or nature area, be sure to check out the hidden treasures close to home.

Linked to Mosaic Monday

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