Late October

Although the early maples are gorgeous with their brilliant reds, there is something equally as beautiful as the later fall foliage despite the more muted tones. The yellow and golds of the oaks, beeches and birches, while more subtle, offer a wonderful contrast to the evergreens and the bright red of the winterberries. And while daylight is slowly dwindling, there has been some wonderful early morning light on these late fall days.

Tuesday was an intentional day off. Wednesday was not but it was rainy and whipping wind at 4:00 am and I did no want to get up. So, I didn't. Then I somehow managed to grab two right shoes when putting my stuff together to run during Sam's afternoon swim practice. Yup, I'm an idiot 😂 Therefore, there was no running Wednesday either. 🙈

But that's OK. Still four days left to run and finish out the remaining four runs I wanted to get in 😉 Nothing like cramming it in. Ha! But in all seriousness, this tends to happen to me often and I do think that it has worked for me to train this way in larger blocks each week. I don't do huge mileage, but stacking days upon each other has worked for me.

Thursday morning was a very dark run on the cart paths. But a beautiful, crisp, clear morning with a crescent moon and many stars shining brightly overhead, and a wonderful orangey pink glow on the horizon in the final half mile. (6.0 miles)

Friday, I met up with Val up at Riverlands for a mid-morning run. I had seen some photos she had posted of the singletrack all nicely leaf-blown, and I was all in 😀 It really was lovely, and so good to catch up with Val too! She gave me a tour of a really nice singletrack loop, with some pretty river views. (7.6 miles)

Pretty blueberry bushes along the Ridge Trail

Yesterday, I got up and out just as it was getting light for my long run. With it being Youth Hunting Day, I was dressed in an orange shirt and hat, and didn't go anywhere I felt might be a possible hunting spot. Definitely no need to tempt fate! Ran the cart paths first then wandered out into the Cathance, where no hunting is allowed, enjoying the roaring river, scaring up a few deer and finding a few cool mushrooms. Still, I didn't head out into the father reaches of the preserve, just to be safe. Then it was back onto the cart paths for a few more holes and onto the roads for the final 5 miles. Really pretty morning for a run. Beautiful morning light too. (15.0 miles)

It was too nice not to get back out in the woods later in the afternoon for a family walk. Always good to enjoy a bit of trail time together! (1.7 miles walked)

😍😍

So much growing on this piece of bark lost off an old dead tree. Very cool!

So much shelf fungi! 

Sam had a sleepover last night so Ryan and I were able to head down to Mindy and Pete's for their annual fall party. I remember taking Sam down there a few weeks after she was born, so this party is a tradition at least 10 years old!! Fun to catch up with friends and enjoy an evening socializing. Even managed to stay up past my 9:00 pm bedtime 😂

Forecast this morning was calling for rain rain rain, but it looked like there would be an early morning window to get out before the precipitation started. The cats don't care that I went to bed late, so they were a nice natural alarm this morning 😉 Got a bit later of a start than yesterday, heading out at 7:20 am and missed the sunrise, but it wasn't raining so there's that! Headed out into the Cathance for a mellow run. Although it was overcast, there were still some beautiful late-turning maples shimmering against the gray and the brilliant red winterberries are really showing right now. Saw two deer, and was happy to feel good after yesterday's 15 and the late night and to be wrapping up the week with 42 miles. (6.2 miles)