A hodgepodge of running this past month!

When last I posted, I had just finished a long peaceful run in the snow with Taz pup.  Many miles have been put on the running shoes since that day and the days have warmed up quite nicely!

Connie, me & Anita post-race

After a whole lot of miles and weeks and weeks of solid training with running buddies Connie and Anita, the 2014 Bolder Boulder came and went.  And, just like last year, I ran it in 58-and-change, beating my age, and placing sixth in my age.
What was my goal for this year's running?  Consistency!
Can't get much more consistent than that!




Two days after the Bolder Boulder, Kendall and I set off in Hedwig for an almost-summer trip to Michigan, this time by way of Kansas City.  It was great to have a change of scenery and what a delightful change of scenery it was!  Some highlights:

The Eisenhower Presidential Library - Abilene, Kansas!

The Flint Hills Nature Trail 

- where I ran east for about three hours.  The entire trail stretches 117 miles from Herington at the west end, then Council Grove where I picked it up, to Osawatomie in the east, passing through Flint Hills tall grass prairie lands.  It also happens to be the 7th longest rail-trail in America and the longest trail in Kansas so I certainly have plenty more trail to run the next time we're in the neighborhood! As it was, 'twas a real treat to once again spend a few hours trotting along a quiet rolling rural rail trail... just me, birds, butterflies and the breeze.... 

wildflowers abound

broken down bridge & butterfly

flint face

Flint-stone fence posts

long view

Hedwig - always a welcome sight at the end of a long run

 Kansas City

From the trail it was straight to Kansas City  for a visit with Devon and Corinne (our son and his girlfriend) and the Stanleys (Corinne's parents).  Kansas City is quite the happening town (actually two towns - one each in Kansas and Missouri): parks, art, food, music, and great people.  A wonderful visit!

Loose Park where we ran & walked each morning

In KC, they even think about the dogs

Mom and her first-born son

"League of Extraordinary Librarians" to Kendall from Devon with love

 Up North!

 On the way from KC to Petoskey, we made a quick stop in Fort Wayne to visit my cousin, Kathleen.  No run there - but a lovely luncheon interlude during a long-drive day.

Then it was on to Petoskey and days filled with visiting mom, reuniting with old friends, enjoying Petoskey's summer playfulness, running in one of my most favorite places on earth - and gazing at the aptly-named Million Dollar Sunsets over Little Traverse Bay.

,

Me and mom - together again

Petoskey Yarn Bombers liven up Central Park's cannon

Great Lakes Rail Cars cruising through downtown

View of Little Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan from a favorite run route

...a good trip...