Mid-October

Monday was a day off of work for me and a no school day for Sam. I headed up to Lost Valley for the annual Trail Monster group run and potluck. It was a gorgeous blue sky day and warmer than anticipated. I had decided beforehand that I would walk with Mindy, Emma and Anne, although in the end it turned out that we got separated at the start and I walked just with Mindy. It was great to catch up with her, and then we stopped after 3 miles and hung out at the top in the sun with Rick and chatted with people as they wandered through. Then it was down to the bottom to enjoy food and laughter together. Always fun 😊 (3.3 miles walked)

Wednesday was a 6:20 am run on the roads through Highland Green. Headlamp for the first mile. Dreary, spitting rain but still some bright foliage and a spotted salamander sighting! 🤩 (6.0 miles)

Thursday, I brought my clothes and ran right after work so I didn’t get home and collapse on the couch instead 🤪 intense past few days of work… Headed out at 4:50 pm. I parked over on the Landing and ran out on the perimter road there, veering off on the way back onto one of the paths along the edge of the airport fence. Nice afternoon and honestly very pretty once I was back off the stretch along the main road. I’ll have to explore out there a bit more. Lots of people out running. (6.0 miles)

Friday dawned grey and rainy, and I spent the day crossing things off the home to-do list and getting work done. Finally dragged myself out the door around 4:30 pm after we got our flu & covid shots. Dragged being main word - not a lot of umph!🤪 also just not very pleasant out, misty, dreary, damp. But the color that remains really pops against the grey. (6.0 miles)

Saturday I met up with Emma at 8:00 over at Pineland for a walk. Cold, breezy and very quiet - we didn't see anyone else out on the trails. Walked the Oak Hill loop and then stopped in to pick up a coffee before heading home. Great to catch up! (4.9 miles walked)

Sunday, I got some work and house stuff done, then went out for a mid-afternoon windy wander up along the edge of the Heath, before Kristen joined us for dinner. (6.0 miles)

17 and 27

Dark in the mornings now and definitely much shorter days. Tuesday, I headed out at 5:40 pm for a walk around the school block. Crisp and just past sunset when I got back to the house. (2.0 miles walked)

Wednesday was an even later afternoon run than normal, but it is what it is. And so that it was that twilight in the woods + leaves = Danielle will definitely trip 🤪 caught myself though, even if the leg was a bit cranky, thank goodness! Pretty sky and Heath. (6.0 miles)

Thursday was an after work almost-5:00 pm run on the roads. Nice evening. (6.0 miles)

Friday, I was in the kitchen early getting Sam's strawberry birthday cake baked so that it would have time to cool before I frosted it. Then it was off to get some errands, work done and cake frosted before heading out for a run out along the Heath at 3:00 pm. Nice bright and breezy! (6.0 miles)

Also the littlest of the backyard fox kits is very curious 🦊 They wanted to make friends with Gigi, who was not amused and was hissing and swatting through the glass 😂

Then it was time for present opening, Little Tokyo take out for dinner and cake to celebrate our 17 year old! Where does the time go? Seriously. NUTS. Love you to the moon and back, Sam 💗🎂

The cake was nice and bright and pink, and had a perfect strawberry flavor! Worth the effort. Yum!🍓

Saturday I got out around 2:30 into the bright sunshine to run on the powerlines. Still some nice color, plus two deer and chickens! (9.2 miles)

For dinner, we all had plans. Six of Sam's good friends joined her at Sea Dog for a birthday dinner, which was just so cute 😍, while Ryan and I headed to Enoteca for an anniversary dinner 🍷🍸

Sometime the passage of time just hits me square in the chest. Yesterday, our little girl turned 17, and then today, Ryan and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary. I'm so grateful 💗💖 - but man 17 and 27 - that is just crazy! 

Sunday I headed out for my run around 10:30. Nice out if a bit windy and muggy. (13.0 miles)

I'm So Glad I Live In A World Where There Are Octobers

Honestly not sure I'd survive somewhere that doesn't have a change of seasons. Spring and fall are my favorites. And when the leaves change in October and the air gets crisp and there is just that autumnal smell out on the powerlines, it always puts a smile on my face. 🍂🍁 

Tuesday was a 5:30 pm walk around the school with Ryan. Muggy but not raining. (2.6 miles walked)

Wednesday was a muggy overcast misty afternoon for a 4:00 pm run out in Highland Green, but the colors do pop on a grey day! Stopped to chat with the gentleman who I see often out along the Heath about the geese, mallards and the missing muskrats as well as the now defunct bog bridges that used to make a full loop around the Heath. He might love it out there more than I do ❤️ Also, dead things (a turkey skeleton, I think)! (6.0 miles)

Thursday was a 4:40 pm run out through Highland Green. Enjoyed the burgeoning mushrooms, foliage and a praying mantis sighting. Leaves are looking lovely. Muggy though. (6.0 miles)

Fridays used to always be a long run day, but honestly this year, work has been so busy that I really haven't been able to unplug on Fridays like I used to. So Friday was a morning and early afternoon filled with crossing things off the home to-do list and getting work done, which translated into yet another 4:00 pm run on the roads. In the rain. That's OK, just putting one foot in front of the other and getting it done. (6.0 miles)

Got out around 11:00 am on Saturday for a run on the powerlines. Nice but legs were a bit heavy. Some lovely little yellow fritillaries flitting about on the purple aster out near the dump pond. (9.0 miles)

Sunday was a 1:00 pm run out on the powerlines and around through Highland Green. So nice out! (10.0 miles)

Here are the September stats:

148.57 miles run
10.41 miles walked
0 miles xc skiied
2x weights

YTD:

1,374.97 miles run
94.41 miles walked
4.22 miles xc skiied
26x weights