Mid-August

Monday was a work at home day, although my coworkers were really slacking off on the job 😹Dragged Sam off her bed around 4:00 pm for a walk around the block. She didn't want to go, but she was chatty once we got moving 😊 (1.7 miles walked0

Tuesday I was up and out early for a run on the powerlines. Nice morning with some lovely low mist over the greenery. Asters blooming, eight deer and lots of blackberries. (10.0 miles)

Wednesday morning was a road run with a few cart paths at the end. Definitely dragging a bit. Overcast and muggy. One blueberry and one blackberry stop. (10.0 miles)

Took Thursday as a rest day because I needed it. Was back out Friday morning early before we headed to NH. Pretty morning with some lovely light. Four deer and one turkey seen. Ran the cart paths plus a loop down to the river and back. (10.0 miles)

Then it was over to Chalk Pond for the weekend for our annual Bowdoin get-together. After we had lunch, the three of us took the dogs for a walk around the pond with Neal. (1.2 miles walked)

Later in the evening after everyone had arrived and we had dinner up on the deck, we sat down at the pond as the light turned and enjoyed time around the fire together. 

Got up early on Saturday morning to get in some miles. Ran up through the Stoney Brook Wildlife Sanctuary to Baker Hill, where there are some amazing views looking out over the lake and to Sunapee Mountain. Also, very hilly!

Looped on the roads down to Bloggett Landing and enjoyed running along the lake. Those houses there, while stacked right on top of each other, sure do have a nice view! 

Scooted this guy off the edge of the pavement

Then it was around and up on the roads to the trail up Sunset Hill. Definitely feeling a bit low energy but just took it easy and tried to enjoy being out there. Dropped down the backside of Sunset Hill and ran up along a very long VT 100-esque road to connect up with the Fisher Field Trail which dropped me back down to Chalk Pond. Fisher Field Trail was pretty janky with a lot of sidehill and loose stuff, which meant it was really slow going. Took one fall out there too, despite being cautious. Had to do a bit extra on the roads to get to 15, but was happy to get the miles in. And definitely some good hill work! (15.0 miles)

Ran right into the pond after my run - very refreshing! - and then later, we all got in for some water fun! Ryan and Neal floated while Sam, Vicky, Michael and I swam out to the island and over to the dock where Annalee, Matt and Graham were in the water at the neighborhood beach and back, which according to my watch was 600 yds. Who knows, but it sure felt like a lot of work 😂 Once we got back, Sam and Ryan took out the kayaks and the paddleboards and more floats came out. It was the perfect day for being in and on the water!

We did some relaxing and of course eating and drinking and chatting and laughing and catching up on the deck later in the afternoon. Graham really enjoyed his watermelon 😂🍉He was a cutie, although we did remark that we were glad to not have a 1 1/2 year old 😉

Speaking of Sam, she got a lot of dog time, and although she initially whined a bit about having to hang out with the adults all weekend, on the way home she did say she had fun 😎 It was a great weekend and always is so good to catch up with everyone 😍

Sunday morning, Ryan headed to the airport for his work trip in Michigan and Sam and I headed home. I ended up consciously deciding not to get up early to run before we left, which meant I had to head out later in the afternoon in the heat.  A slightly questionable decision, but despite the heat and time of day, I felt reasonably decent, and although I did run out of water and was quite hot and sweaty, I managed to stick it out and get in the miles to finish up my intended 3-day 40 mile block and 60 miles for the week, so I was pretty happy with that! Also, it is most definitely flat around home 😂😂(15.0 miles)