Prairie Spirit perfect running

Prairie Spirit Trail, Princeton trail head, ready for the rain and runnin' toward Richmond

Well...I'm not a perfect runner, but it sure was a perfect running day today. Soft smooth trail, lightly wooded on either side, the occasional cow, the sound of chirping birds and ribbiting frogs, cloud cover, every now and then a bit of drizzle, cool temps but warm enough for shorts. Just fantastic.

Given these primo running conditions and the forecast for heavy rain later in the day and on into tomorrow, and since I had gotten a three mile headstart on the trail with yesterday's early evening run, I added a little extra today. The first bit was from Ottawa to Princeton with a light hum from the highway traffic one-half mile to the east, and all other sound just frogs and birds. Clouds above, fields to the left and right, and trail ahead. Charge!

As I ran into Princeton, the rain picked up so I hopped into waiting Hedwig and donned raincoat, gloves & hat, hopped back out, realized the rain had let up again, and continued happily down the trail, destination Richmond. Still a delightful run - but getting hungry and was very pleased to see Hedwig waiting at the Richmond trail head. Hopped in, got a banana, and decided, yup, I've got more miles in me so hopped back out for the final stretch of the day: Richmond to Garnett.

This one's for Joe - it's me trying to click my heels as I run toward the Richmond trail head.
Joe's way WAY better at clicking his heels...
my heels seem completely incapable of finding each other much less clicking.

Kendall and Jester met me a couple miles south of Richmond and we walked along the trail together for a few minutes before he drove off to check on campgrounds while I finished the stretch to Garnett. This bit of the run was absolutely marvelous. Away from the highway so no more car noise, just the frogs and birds and lots more trees, creeks and rivers. Really a lovely way to wrap up the twenty-mile day!

Garnett courthouse - in the center of a classic town square.
Good walking for shaking the miles out of my legs.