Last Week of Summer

Yes, I know technically it is summer until September 21, but school starts up next week so this week certainly feels like the last week of summer! 

Monday was a full day off from running, and I wasn't super enthused to bound of out bed on Tuesday morning, so in the end, I just got in a later afternoon solo walk across the street on the roads after dropping Sam off for a sleepover at Abby's. Warm and sticky out. (2.0 miles walked)

The warmth and stickiness continued the rest of the week. Ugh. I really could do with less humidity, but I was at least glad that this was a down week in terms of running so I'd get at least a bit of a break from the nastiness. 

Headed out around 6:15 on Wednesday for a run down to the river and back. Soggy, sticky, misty, heavy, and definitely still felt summerlike in that regard, although the viburnum berries are turning a lovely blush color and the air has that smell of the turning of the season. (6.0 miles)

Mom and Dad picked Sam up for lunch and an ice cream at Fielder's Choice and then I joined them for  dinner after I got home from the office. Sam was pretty much wiped out from the sleepover, so it was an early night!

Thursday was a final summer day off for me, but since I'm keeping it mellow this week and didn't have any long miles to run, I just headed out around 6:45 across the street for a run on the powerlines. Cool but insanely humid, and many dew-covered spiderwebs glimmering in the early light. (6.0 miles)

Anne came over later in the morning to hang out and then after lunch, the three of us walked down to DQ for an ice cream cone. Definitely hot. (2.0 miles walked)

Woke up to rain on Friday morning, and it was still sprinkling when I headed out from the field house into the Commons around 7:30. Cooler, muggy and overcast. Hit some of the side trails before looping back. Woods were green and damp. (7.25 miles)

Continuing the sweet treat theme for the week, we headed over to Mom and Dad's after lunch to walk downtown for a gelato. The sun came out and things heated up quickly. We were all sweaty by the time we climbed back up the hill on the way back! (2.2 miles walked)

Then Sam and I had Thai take-out for dinner. Yum! All in all a successful solo week at home with the kiddo, and although we didn't end up taking on any adventues with just the two of us together, I think Sam had some fun in her last week of summer! 😎

Ryan got in sometime in the middle of the night from his week of traveling, and as Sam was getting picked up for a beach day with her friend Lauren and I knew I'd have to ensure she was up and out of bed, I didn't rush out for an early morning run, knowing there wasn't going to be much on tap for the day once she headed out. It was nice to have a relaxed morning, and I realized that I was pretty tired from the week, despite fewer miles and Sam being a really good kiddo while Ryan was away. 

I finally headed out around 10:00 for a run on the powerlines. Cooler but still humid enough that I finished the run soaked. The blackberries and blueberries are waning now, but I still managed to find a few sweet handfuls to eat. Also saw two ladies on horseback, one deer and one very friendly kitty near Topsham Crossing. (10.0 miles)

She wanted all the pets!😍

Turtlehead along the powerline streambed

We spent the rest of the day on the couch watching way more episodes of Ted Lasso than I care to admit 😂 I'm not really a TV person, although I do enjoy a lot of the Food Network shows and the Great British Baking Show, and am very particular about what I want to sit down and watch, so it's kind of a miracle that we found a series that I actually am enjoying watching. We're a little late to the game, but Ryan got an Apple TV subscription (for a few months at least) when he got his new phone the other month, so we decided we'd try it since so many people talk about Ted Lasso! So far it is just the kind of series that I like - funny but not too raunchy, heartwarming, good characters, enjoyable storyline, no violence or weapons, no gore, and of course there has to be at least a bit of swearing 😂 What can I say, I have very specific requests when it comes to TV I want to invest my time in! 

Sam had a fun day at the beach up at Range Pond and they even saw some little baby snapping turtles coming out of their nest and making their way to the water. How cool!

I didn't rush out on this morning for my run either, finally heading out a little before 8:30. With No Business coming up in what is now feeling like a ridiculously short time (October 14!!), and recognizing that I need to put in a little more effort to get some hills in, I had decided I'd start this week with a bit of hillwork for the next six weeks. Hey, better some than none! Of course, I waited until the last day of the week to get in the hills, but what can I say? That just seems to be my style to a certain degree. So off I headed into Topsham Heights for some hills. Need to work on the route a bit to get in more vert, but it was enough for today given that this is a down week and I wasn't looking to totally exhaust myself in the process. I did stop coming out of Oak Hill for a blackberry stop. Just can't resist those berries! Cooler with temps in the low 60s but with the dewpoint of about the same, I was soaked by the time I finished. 💦Humidity, you can go away now! (7.0 miles)

Hoping this down week will do the trick and I'll be able to crank up the mileage again the next two weeks with the UXBBA on the schedule the day of the Bruiser as a big effort.