
I don’t take any formal vacations during the summer.
But sometimes as they say: “Girls just wanna have fun…”
So I took Monday, Wednesday and Friday off this past week and added some fun activities.
Last Week —
- Sunday – I started the week (as usual) at the gym…
The weather was beautiful (with rain predicted for the next few days) so we planned to spend the day on the lake.
Unfortunately, my hubby has been battling a cold for the last few days and was feeling worse.
So I took advantage of the free time to get some things done — manicure, grocery shopping, library, etc.
When I realized that it may possibly be raining the next two mornings, I decided that I should try to get a run in.
One good thing about the day was that one of sunflower patches was in full bloom and they opened at 5 pm.
So I took a long drive there and yes, it was worth it.
- Monday – Every other Monday, I try to go hiking with my running friends.
As it often happens, the forecast was for rain.
And I woke up to rain so I was glad I had run the day before.
When I looked at the radar, there looked like there would be a break in the rain. My running friend Sherry was game to give it a try.

and yes, we stayed dry. The first trail was really nice although we’d have to cross the brook to finish it and the 2nd was very buggy.
I met a friend after she got out of work to walk. It was raining (and HUMID) so I suggested that we go to the Y to walk on the track. We walked 2 miles and it isn’t so bad if you chat the whole time (but boy, was the gym crowded at this time of day!!)
- Tuesday – I thought it was going to be raining so I didn’t plan to run and went to the gym instead before work.
Well, the humidity had returned but I was ready to run at lunch and then it started to monsoon.
And then a few minutes later, it stopped so off I drove for a run.
- Wednesday – Each August for like 35 years or more, my former teacher friend and I go to breakfast at the race track and then stay and bet on the horses. Occasionally we win $$ but mostly just have fun.
Finally we had a sunny DRY day this week.

today there was a power outage but fortunately races resumed and we even ended the day on a winning note.
- Thursday – It was a struggle but I got up early enough to get my 5 mile run done before work.
Sorry to be a broken record but every Thursday evening, rain is forecast and my friends and I struggle with the decision to join the trail running group. Often we bail and then it doesn’t rain.
Only a few of us did go and it rained (but only lightly).
- Friday – One of my running friends participates in an annual knitting retreat on Lake George and two years ago I joined her on the last day. I ran my 10 mile long run on hills and then spent the afternoon swimming.
This year, it was my rest day so I started by going to the gym and then headed up to Lake George.
Instead of running, we went on a short hike on nearby trails.
Then we spent the rest of the day relaxing by the water
and I rushed home in time to play mah jongg.
- Saturday – Long Run Day! It may have been the weather or the company but today’s 11 mile run felt easy (finally).
There were 11 of out there today… it’s great that everyone can join no matter what distance or pace they are running and then we celebrate our achievement at brunch.
- Sunday – If the weather is nice, we’ll go boating…
This Coming Week on the Run (12 Weeks until NYCM)–
- Monday – run
- Tuesday – GYM, rest day
- Wednesday -run
- Thursday – run, trail run/walk
- Friday – GYM, rest day, mah jongg
- Saturday – Long Run (12 miles)
- Sunday – GYM, rest day, boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
- Tuesday – Dream Running Location
- Friday – Does Age Matter?
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races? Do anything fun this week? Please share.

I am linking up with Kim and Deborah for 
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Another busy week for you! I hope you get to go boating today! This is the first weekend I’ve been home in a long time–but after my run, I’m driving up to Madison to help my son move. No lake time for me, sigh…
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Next week will be pretty quiet but better weather.
Today the weather is iffy.
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We have had a few of those monsoon rain storms the past few weeks too! Way to roll with it and get your hikes and runs in. The sunflowers are so pretty!
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You have to be creative with this crazy weather.
Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers.
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Sounds like you had a busy week! I’m hoping to see sunflowers this week, but there may be something else instead — still making up my mind!
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I will go to see them again in a few weeks but still too early for the ones in Westerlo.
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They posted they thought they might be blooming end of this week a few days ago.
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Maybe. My friend lives next door and said next week.
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Love, love, love the sunflowers!
Both my kids grow them in their yards. My son even is roasting sunflower seeds from his!
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Love them too but I don’t grow them… I have to drive almost an hour. Worth it.
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What a fun week of fitness and friends! You went to some cool places. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a horse track. What is in that white box shaped like a house (with blue decorations)?
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that’s art on the trail… people design miniature rooms and they display them here.
Horse racing is fun once a year… I’m not much of a gambler.
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Wow, you get a lot of rain this time of year! Nice job fitting it all in. Your long runs are getting up there!
i’m looking forward to your “Does Age Matter” post.
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This week I hope will be drier.
12 weeks to go!
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Those sunflowers look so beautiful! I actually had my first-ever experience at a horse track last weekend…and it was financially successful, LOL.
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That’s great. I lost most races but did win a few. I don’t bet a lot of money though.
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Lovely sunflowers and time with friends! I went to the races once, on Boxing Day. I went to Wincanton and managed to bet on a horse in a different race AT A DIFFERENT RACECOURSE to the one I thought I was betting on. Still have no idea how I did that …
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Ha ha. Did the horse win?
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I don’t recall it doing so, no!
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Great work. Running is awful right now. I was thinking about a race next weekend, but I have a surprise birthday party at the same time. Oh, well.
For fun, we had back to school, and this week, I got to visit a farm animal sanctuary, I’m going to a concert, and we have our home opener football game.
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That’s quite a bit of fun.
I skipped a 5k today.
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What a busy week! I love the sunflower photos- they are gorgeous! Where are they/close to Albany at all? And yay for breakfast at the track! I didn’t make it to Saratoga this year unfortunately.
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This field is about 45 min from Albany.
There is a smaller one about 30 min in the opposite direction.
I assume you’ve gone to the Saratoga track before.
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Boo on dodging so much rain! I’m pretty sure we’re still in severe drought here. Looks like you enjoyed lots of fun with friends though so all good! Sunflower fields typically bloom here in September. So gorgeous!
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This was an early bloom. More fields in bloom in the coming weeks.
Rain is necessary but annoying.
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That looks like such a fun week for you! The trail looks fantastic. And how lovely with a knitter’s retreat!
I love sunflowers, and sunflower patches in full bloom are absolutely stunning. I’ve seen them in Italy where they bloom in late June.
I hope you get some more stable weather soon!
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We even got rained on today at the lake.
I plan to do more sunflower field visits.
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Love those sunflowers! Did you see the story of the farmer who planted 80 acres of sunflowers to surprise his wife for their 50th anniversary? Just amazing.
Glad you took some days off from work – looks like you had a fun week!
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No I didn’t. That’s awesome.
Yes I needed some time off. Looked like you had an amazing vacation in Alaska.
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You had lot of great workouts last week, Darlene!
I just showed your sunflower collage to my husband and told him that I want to visit a sunflower field this year. Every year we say we’re going to do it and then don’t make the effort.
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I just started two years ago and now I do it often because they’re around only for a short time.
There’s another field I may go to on Monday.
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