Still warm, humid, lots of thunderstorm threats… a haircut is probably the only new event.

I have until Aug 31 to run/walk 1000k. Getting there…
Of course this is getting old but another of my favorite summer races has gone virtual.
I also finally got in the mail my swag from the Steel Rail Half Marathon that I chose to run virtually in May:
Last Week –
- Monday – Another scorcher. I wanted to get in a pre-work run to avoid the heat and test my new shoes.
Even warmer at lunch but luckily I did not have much time to sweat on my walk.
After work as usual, I went out in search of exercise and shade. I picked two very nearby preserves that were wooded and went along the creek at some point. It was wonderful!!
- Normanskill East
- Normanskill West
Then I met my BFF for an outdoor mall walk and talk. She broke her toe so this week it was a sit and chat.
- Tuesday – I decided to squeeze in an early morning walk in the ‘hood
and then a run at lunch since I had plans every day after work.

I actually drove to the rail trail because I am sick of my neighborhood.. so hot when you run at NOON!!
After work, I had my 2nd pandemic haircut (makes me feel kinda normal). Next week I hope to have my 2nd manicure!!
And I then I explored a preserve that wasn’t too far away followed by a walk on the bike path.
- Wednesday – I wouldn’t normally run again but rain was predicted for later in the day and for tomorrow.
I woke up to rain but it stopped by the time I was ready to run.
I decided for a change to drive to the park at lunch and walk on the trails there.
Fingers crossed that the storms would hold off so we could get in our weekly trail walk. Unfortunately I was the only one able to do the trails. And the rain did hold off (though it was so humid, the rain would have felt nice.)

I did the green, blue and part of the yellow trail – would have done more if I knew the rain would hold off so long…
- Thursday – It was supposed to rain on and off today. It rained during the night but had stopped by morning. So I started the day with my usual neighborhood walk in search of new flowers to photograph.
and then one more during lunch. Hooray for rest days and no pressure to run between the raindrops.

got caught taking this pic and explained that I was admiring her petunias since they were nicer than mine.
In the evening, my monthly tennis dinner was scheduled. This was the first time, we were not doing take out and sitting 6 feet apart in a park. The threat of thunderstorms postponed this until next Thursday.
Of course, the storm never really arrived so after dinner, I decided to go on another trail walk at Normanskill Farm.

It was lovely walking along the creek but I didn’t have time to complete the whole loop since it was getting dark.
You can see from the photo above that I stopped for dessert before heading home. As I was enjoying my ice cream cone, I realized that across the street, there was an awesome sunset.

I can’t remember the last time I watched the sun set…it’s usually when I travel to NYC or Fla. I need to remember to do more of my walks later in the evening.
- Friday – Another rest day as always due to my long run being the next day. I didn’t have much time today for walks but I did squeeze in two short ones in the neighborhood.
One in the morning
and then one at lunch time
I did a repeat walk from Thursday but explored farther on the path. However, no ice cream or perfect sunset tonight.
- Saturday – LONG RUN DAY. Today we were back on the rail trail so that we could meet for brunch after at Emma Cleary’s (It’s all about food lol).
Like previous weeks, it was HOT and HUMID so I arrived earlier to get in a few solo miles. Then everyone else arrived at various times. I again took advantage of Deidre’s offer to run 10 miles with me. She runs intervals which is fine with me. It’s all about distance in the summer time. I ran 2 miles before she and Jen arrived and then she wasn’t feeling well so we only ran 9. 11 miles was enough to deserve Emma’s strawberry stuffed French toast with potatoes and bacon (and chocolate mile of course).
- Sunday – Boating. For the first time this summer we had company (my hubby’s friend, his girlfriend, his daughter & daughter’s friend) on our boat.
The weather was perfect and it was fun hanging out with other people for a change.
Another first was that I slept overnight on our boat. I haven’t done it in awhile but I had Monday off from work. My hiking plans got cancelled so I decided why not run and hike here for a change of scenery.
This Coming Week –
- Monday – DAY OFF – run, hike
- Tuesday – rest day
- Wednesday – run, trail walk
- Thursday – run, dinner with tennis friends
- Friday – rest day
- Saturday – LONG RUN
- Sunday – rest day, boating
I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? Are things opening up where you live? Are things getting more normal for you? Please share.
Looks like you made the best of the heat! We’re very hot here too but relatively dry vs the storms you’ve been getting. Seems like there was a new round of fall race cancellations this week. Wonder when this will all end finally. Pretty sunset!
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I love chocolate milk after a run! French toast is one of my favorite pre-long run breakfasts as well. I was looking at photos of our local marathon’s finish line from last year and dang, we were all kind of on top of one another so reluctantly it’s probably for the best that there is no racing right now.
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So very humid here and not missing running at the moment. You all must be in full flower bloom-everything looks gorgeous. Getting a hair cut and nails done does make me feel somewhat normal too. Nice job on the 10 miler in this heat. Thanks for linking
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Yes agree on nails and hair. Very humid. I guess that’s good for plants. Not mine though. Lol.
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I like the swag that you received for the Steel Rail Half Marathon – very cool!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a break in the heat and humidity soon, especially as we enter August.
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Yes. Nice swag. Would rather have had a real race. But not much we can do about that.
Very hot weather here. May end tomorrow and just be warm.
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Enjoy your hike! Sounds like fun.
I haven’t even had one haircut yet, LOL — that’s what ponytails & braids are for in the summer.
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Great hike. Longer than planned.
I have Zoom work meetings so have to look somewhat presentable and have slowly socializing. Though most of the time my hair is on a cap.
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Buns can work for work. They’re easy, too.
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I have bangs. They get out of control without frequent haircuts. Not a bun kinda gal. Looks good on some. Not moi.
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That’s one reason I decided to let my bangs grow out several years ago. I go back & forth on them, but yeah, they get out of control really quickly — although eventually they get long enough to blend in again, LOL!
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I have through the years let them grow. I look better with bangs. But since I color my grey, I do get haircuts every 5 weeks anyway.
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That Thursday sunset really was beautiful! The ice cream looked pretty good too 🙂
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Yes both the sunset and the ice cream were awesome. Need more if both.
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I have not had chocolate mile post-run in forever (probably at a race LOL). I also had another race switch to virtual status last week, but didn’t feel like posting about it.This one had been indefinitely postponed from April, but they decided to “virtualize” it. It is what it is, but it is getting annoying.
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Yup it is was it is but still depressing.
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Sounds like a great week! Unfortunately here in NC we’re stuck in phase 2 through Aug. 7. Ugh! It’s been tough on everyone. In May and June when it wasn’t so blazing hot and humid it wasn’t so bad because we could at least spend time outside, but now that it’s hitting upper 90’s regularly, that’s losing its appeal.
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Yeah. Very hot here. Tough to stay active. Hope things get better at least related to the pandemic.
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Nice job getting your runs done in the heat! I keep thinking the storms will cool things off but it seems like they just make things worse. That sunset is gorgeous! I rarely see the sun set.
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I rarely do too. But I actually saw the sunrise. Another hot humid day.
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Oh, your sleepover on the boat sounds fun!
You had some gorgeous flowers this week, as well as some great nature pictures! I wish it wasn’t so buggy and humid here we could enjoy some local trails more. Your running pics also looked so strong!
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I do love my nature trails. I might not be doing so well during these times without them.
My solo day off on the lake was super fun.
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Wow, you had a wonderfully busy week of workouts! I love all of the flower pictures, and that sunset, it’s gorgeous!
Have a great week, Darlene!
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What shoes did you get? Did I miss it?
I think it is fair to say that the rest of the races this yer will be virtual.
I am jealous of your pedicures. I haven’t had one in YEARS.
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No pedicure ever. But I do do manicures.
I bought Topos.
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I got them mixed up! 🤦🏻♀️😜 I do pedicures instead of manicures.
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