September 2, 2023 3:51 pm
My (amended) training plan called for a 13 mile run so why not run a half marathon?
Of course, I talked my running friends into signing up too. If they couldn’t run it, they volunteered.
The race was hard probably because instead of tapering for the race, I was in the midst (week 9) of training for a full marathon and I had a busy in-person work week..
Anyway I had fun..
at least at the after-party!! LOL
Last Week –
The weather looked to be cloudy, cool with a chance of showers so we decided not to go on our boat (It turned out to be a nice day… never trust the weather forecast!!)
I was fine with staying home since I had lots to do (laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, etc.)
You know me… I got antsy so I went for a nearby hike.
Five Rivers is always so peaceful…
Then I read on FB that the colored sunflowers had bloomed…and the fields would be closing next weekend.
So after dinner, I took a drive there…
it was crowded but luckily there are 8 acres of flowers… my 3rd and last trip there until next August
perfect weather for a run… artwork from the Pandemic up still and my cat Mac because I forgot to take a selfie
It rained most of the afternoon but stopped so I was to meet my BFF for a walk in the evening.
I let Deirdre sleep in (LOL) and ran alone. Instead of the rail trail, I chose a neighborhood in town.
nice to run in a different place with a podcast to keep me sane for 6.5 miles… enjoyed all the flowers but not the insane humidity.
After work, I had my needed hair appt.
um yes, I worked out in my running clothes…
It did, the sun came out and of course with it humidity. I parked at the park n ride and ran around a community that I hadn’t been to in ages.
when I started the sky was ominous but then it turned blue… I admit that my legs did not feel like running 3 days in a row… there was a lot of walking on this sweaty run.
The reason I was able to go to the gym AND run before work was that I had to go to the lab after work to set up for the in-person training the next day so I took the morning off from work.
enjoyed the scenery (and company) at Lawson Lake
Afterward, there was a barbecue too.
#flatme
The logistics were a little crazy. (I met two friends at the park n ride, we drove to the start and then after the race, I needed to get a ride back to my car.)
The weather pretty nice and although I had an upset stomach and went out too fast (as usual), I was still pleased on how it all turned out (faster than last year & 3rd in my age group.)
some of my friends ran the race, some volunteered at the start and others just came to cheer us through the finish line… we all celebrated together with food, beer and great music.
I was very sad to hear about Jimmy Buffet… he was one of my favorite performers. At least I was able to see him in concert several times…
This Coming Week on the Run (9 Weeks until NYCM)–
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races this fall? How’s the weather where you live? Is a heat wave on the way? Any “parrot heads”? Please share.
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Congrats on the race! Yes, that is a good way to get that 13 mile training run done, lol.
I too was sad about Jimmy Buffett. We had some good memories of seeing him live, but his music was such a big part of our lives in our younger years.
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By Wendy on September 3, 2023 at 7:38 am
Yes. Lots of great memories.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 8:00 am
I have never seen sunflowers in those colors! How beautiful. Great way to get those miles in congrats! Have a great week
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By Deborah Brooks on September 3, 2023 at 9:22 am
This is the only place I know that grows them… so pretty.
Enjoy your week too.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 9:26 am
Hopefully you’re enjoying some time at the lake today. Yesterday was still warm for a half, and we all know they always start to late, so good job.
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By Chocolaterunsjudy on September 3, 2023 at 10:36 am
Yes. Today is a boating day. Pretty crowded on the lake.
The race could have started earlier but I doubt the fast runners would want pizza and beer at 9 am. Lol.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 12:15 pm
Nice week of running! I see you got a solo 6.5 miler in- podcasts help a lot. And congrats on the AG placing at your half. I’m looking forward to the recap, and looking forward to hearing about your 15 miler next weekend! That’s really getting up into “LONG run” territory.
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By jenny on September 3, 2023 at 11:38 am
Not too many in my age group.
Not looking forward to those really long runs.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 12:16 pm
I love that you ran a half marathon on your 13-mile weekend. That’s the best of both world – running a race during training. Congrats on your 3rd place in your AG and it sounds like you had a lot of fun, too!
I was so sad to hear about Jimmy Buffet’s death. Sadly, I never saw him in concert… just never made the effort because he always played at a venue that was kind of a pain in the neck to get to. 😦
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By Debbie on September 3, 2023 at 4:02 pm
We went last summer and it was a pain. But now I’m glad we did.
And yes I had fun. After the race. Lol.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 6:39 pm
Congrats on 3rd place in your age group, Darlene! That’s awesome. You sure are putting the work in!
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By San on September 3, 2023 at 5:23 pm
Well there aren’t a lot of runners in my age group. But thanks.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Congrats on the Half! You did great!
I love those sunflowers. I think there’s a place around here with sunflower fields but it’s about an hour away.
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By Coco on September 3, 2023 at 5:51 pm
You should go next year. They are magical.
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 6:38 pm
Those sunflowers are beautiful! I’m sure there are similar fields in my area, somewhere, but they’re not close enough that anyone local talks about them. Yes, sad news about Jimmy Buffet ;-(
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By Kim at Running on the Fly on September 3, 2023 at 6:49 pm
I only discovered them a few years ago. Who knew?
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By Darlene on September 3, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Your week looks amazing with the trail event, half marathon, sunflower trip and more! I didn’t know there were coloured sunflowers other than yellow. Beautiful! And all those places where you go hiking, trail running/walking, they look stunning.
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By Susanne on September 4, 2023 at 3:41 am
Lots of beautiful places to hike. Lucky in that respect.
I discovered the colored ones last year. I’ll keep going back to see them.
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By Darlene on September 4, 2023 at 7:24 am
We usually grow sunflowers in our yard, but somehow we missed planting them this year. And weeding – we have somehow missed weeding the yard all summer too. LOL! Good job on your race! Do you think you would still run as many races if your friends were not there too? Just wondering. People run races for many reasons and I just wondered what your motivation is. It’s great you have such an active group of friends (who are also willing participants!).
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By Lisa @ TechChick Adventures on September 4, 2023 at 11:51 am
I have between really lax this summer about weeding – rain, heat… excuses.
That’s a great question. I used to run races every weekend because I didn’t have a group of running friends.
Now I run much fewer and because I enjoy the challenge.
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By Darlene on September 4, 2023 at 6:30 pm
What an amazing week for you! Those sunflowers are gorgeous! Our season lasts about a week and it’s in like June. Love that you took on a half at random. I need to get back to that point.
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By runswithpugs on September 6, 2023 at 9:52 am
Races are fun. 13 miles alone would be torture.
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By Darlene on September 6, 2023 at 11:07 am