Back out on quiet country roads

Running buddy, Connie, told me about a country road loop that her son has run. Being rather bored of the same-old-same-old around-town routes I've been running, I was intrigued. Kendall said he was quite willing to go out there with me and, having no other plans for today, we decided today was the day for our rural outing.

I must confess, on the eve of the run and during my early morning prep, I was rather appalled at my self-doubt.  Out on unknown roads running by myself. No shade and we've had blistering hot weather. What about loose dogs running rampant in the countryside. Oh dear Oh dear.
"What's with that?!" I ask myself. Do you not remember a 1400-mile run across the country, much of it solo running, much of it in unknown territory, take-the-weather-as-it-comes, and all loose dogs just wanting to lope along beside you? Where did this squeamy meamy timidness come from? Age? Pampered lazy retirement? "Well!" I said to myself as we drove out there, "It's time to put that aside and do some running!" And I am oh-so-glad I did. What a beautiful peaceful run....so needed in these challenging times....

Spectacular views of the Continental Divide to the west throughout the run

The road beckons toward the sunrise

 

....just me and the horses out there - oh, and hawks - and birds chasing hawks, and a calf behind a sign that said "Beware of the dog"...

 

A view I never tire of - and clouds that kept the day delightfully cool

Glad I got my gumption back!

Doh!

I woke up this morning suffering from a decided lack of Vim - much less Vigor and Vitality. I puttered around the house hoping for an upsurge in running desire...put out the recycle, went through the Sunday coupon inserts, updated the whiteboard to-do list, prepped my workspace for later-in-the-day report writing, blah blah blah. Still nuthin'.

Running out of time before the heat and crowds hit, I donned my sunglasses, buff (mask), hat, and run belt. As usual when I started wrapping newspaper bags (poop bags) around my belt, Taz dashed over to keep an eye on me. Doh! No wonder I was in the doldrums. I had not yet pet my pup!!!! Holy Cattle Dog! A massive petting and patting and scruffing extravaganza ensued and all was right with the world! Halter on! Leash attached! And out we danced as merry a pair as could be!

An Uplifting Fourth

The blahs have been making way too frequent appearances in my life lately - but this past weekend did a find job of vanquishing them. The excitement started Friday at 6 a.m. when running buddy, Connie, and I - and Kendall and Taz - rendezvoused at Davidson Mesa for one trip around to complete the Buffs4Life Virtual 5k. Connie and I were to run it and Taz and Kendall would walk it. After the 5k run, Connie and I would reverse course, find Kendall, get Taz, and cool down a bit more. The plan worked beautifully - with just a bit of excitement after the Taz hand-off.

The venue for our 5k - Davidson Mesa

Connie - ready to run

Run done! (Me & Connie are the masked runners - Taz is standing guard)

The slithering excitement just after we got Taz from Kendall - slowing down Kendall's 5k walk considerably!

Me turning back around to get a photo of K and The Snake!

K reaching into his pocket to get his own photo of The Snake!

Saturday and the Fourth of July. For years and years our tradition has been to bake a cherry pie for the Fourth of July (if you say it right, it's a delightful little rhyme!). Usually the cherries are from our tree.

1990 cherry picking extravaganza

This year, Paul's tree provided the bounty and, once again, our Fourth of July back porch feast culminated with a hot-out-of-the-oven cherry pie!  The progression in photos:

Freshly picked & ready for pie cherries

Paul's loaded cherry tree

Pretty darned pleased we're going to have pie!

Happy Fourth!

Sunday evening of the Fourth of July weekend, Kendall and I watched Hamilton - now being broadcast on the Disney channel. Wow. ...still running it through my brain... Yes. Wow.

So, yes, it is possible to vanquish the blahs. And to have the kind of day / weekend / pick-your-time when it's perfect for bringing out the t-shirt Kendall gave me when I crossed the finish line of my run from Boulder to Petoskey.

Words to live by!