Sam had a sleepover with one of her friends Friday night, so I set out from a quiet house on Saturday morning, not feeling guilty about missing out on a morning with the kiddo, and looking forward to enjoying some time on my home trails. Headed out down the powerlines under bright blue skies. The red winterberry is starting to pop amidst the yellow and browns - so lovely!
Ran a bit of the mountain bike trail system out by the pond which was nicely leaf-blown or raked and then headed back towards home. Took the back road, where I saw a belted kingfisher flying and calling above a pond, and then headed out into the Cathance. After this week's rain, the river is flowing quite nicely, and there is still quite a bit of lovely foliage gracing the trees. Despite the cold temps, the sun was warm enough that there was a little garter snake out sunning himself in the opening near the Heath - what a fun sighting. And although my legs were definitely tiring in the final few miles, overall I felt good, and it was such a nice morning to be out on the trails and in the woods! (15.0 miles)
Sunday morning, I met up with Emma over at Brad. A gorgeous cold, crisp and bright morning and so nice to be out enjoying it! We had fun chatting away as we ran along the leaf-covered singletrack. Always good to catch up!! Legs felt good after yesterday's miles too, so that was a plus. (8.0 miles)
Ryan and Sam pulled up shortly after I had changed into dry clothes, and as Ryan headed out with the Sunday morning group for his run, Sam and I headed up to the summit for a hike. Brrr - quite chilly - but glorious sky and colors at the summit, and always nice to walk and talk with the kiddo. 💗 (2.0 miles walked)
I had put in long ago for today off, thinking I'd be home recovering from Ghost Train miles. I never got around to changing that request, so decided I'd stick with the day off despite the whole no racing thing. Sure, I could go into work, but that's no fun 😉 So, after dropping Sam off this morning, I headed north to Camden for some trail time. Parked at the far end of the multi-use trail, ran/hiked up Bald, crisscrossed over to Cameron, up to Sky Blue and down via the multi-use. It was a gorgeous day and the views of the ocean, deep red huckleberry and blueberry bush leaves, the sweet smell of the hay-scented ferns and fall leaves, the quiet trails and time in the woods were all a wonderful balm for my soul. Always a treat to get up to the Camden hills! (7.3 miles)
Bald vista
Colors atop Cameron
"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers," - L.M. Montgomery. Truly, yes 😍
The sweet singletrack that is Sky Blue
And since there's not much that pie can't fix, or make better, I stopped for a big beautiful piece of four-berry pie (a la mode of course!) at Moody's on the way back home. Yum! 😋
So good!
Then I got a massage with Lauren, which is always good, and we finished the day with a family walk out on the powerlines. Such a nice fall evening, and always good to get out together! 💗 (1.75 miles walked)
So while I feel a little sad at what I might have missed, really, there's always another race and another day, and I'm lucky to have been able to take today, although originally set aside for another purpose, to just enjoy, with no expectations, to just be. After all, what can be better than a trail run in the sunshine, a big piece of pie, a massage from a friend and time spent outside with family? I'd say that is pretty darn good. 💕
(Also, just because I was feeling slightly melancholy myself does not mean I am not so excited and proud of so many friends for having awesome Ghost Trains this weekend!! Yay running!!)
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