Rainy Day Running

I haven't been quite as inactive as the lack of posting on the blog from this week suggests. Even though I didn't run the Pineland Farms Trail Challenge, on Monday I was exhausted from being out and about outside for 11 hours, standing, cheering, socializing, being in the sun, and worrying about Snowman, especially as I waited for him to come through the Grove at 25.5 miles. It is tiring being one of the support crew! So, no running Monday, just working up at the gallery. Tuesday, I did drag myself out of bed and go over to the Commons for a nice, uneventful 5 mile run. Wednesday, I had intended to run but didn't get out the door. So, that meant I really wanted to run both yesterday and today. I am pretty happy I was able to motivate both mornings, as frankly the weather has been pretty nasty. The combination of the rain and the low temperature made it feel more like mid-April than late May and made for some wet and raw running.

Yesterday, I went across the street hoping to get int 5 miles, but ended up with only 3. I was just feeling a bit off, so turned off to do the short loop instead. Today, I returned to the Commons for another jaunt on the 5 mile out-and-back. I felt good, but the pace was a bit slow. Oh well. The woods were quiet, and with the overcast skies, the greens seemed particularly brilliant, and the pink tones from the rhodora, ladyslippers and pink fringed polygala were even more noticeable than usual. As it wasn't pouring like crazy, once I got going and warmed up a bit, it was actually relatively pleasant running. I'm hoping to get in another run tomorrow morning to round out the week. Perhaps this run will be under blue skies?!

Flora and fauna highlights: Got two looks (one on the way out, and one on the way back) of a Green-back Heron at the first pond. Bright orange legs and interesting coloration. Cool! I have never seen one of these herons before, and it's always nice to see something new and add to the list!