Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Running Captivated

Fully 99% of my runs are outside. If you live in the northern part of the US, you know that running outside any time of year can be a challenge. We experience the most extremes of weather--from the polar vortex to heat that has been described as hell. I may adjust my schedule in accordance with the conditions, but the only conditions that force me to run on my treadmill are ice and lightning. When my boys were little, sometimes I had no choice but to run inside. Life happens. But it's those runners who choose to run on the treadmill--I may not understand you, but I'm not judging you.

It's just that treadmill running is just so darned boring. What is there to look at while you are running on the treadmill? The TV?

Quite often I lose myself in my runs because the scenery is so captivating. Where I live and run, the scenery isn't so spectacular, but year round, Mother Nature comes through with rewards almost every morning. For the last couple of years, I've attempted to capture what I see on my runs.


It can be the sunrise, which I grabbed yesterday on my run. Sometimes it's the manner in which the clouds fill the sky. What I see on my phone isn't always what I see in real life. I play with the angle of the camera. I freely admit to applying filters to enhance an already fascinating cloud formation.

If a run is going well, I may not stop until the end to snap my pictures. But if I'm struggling through a run, the distraction of the daily sky show keeps me going until I find just the right setting for my picture. 

I've really enjoyed capturing what I see. I'm including a few of my favorites from the past year. 

I loved the way the sun hit the water in this winter shot. The streaky clouds were a bonus.

I was actually getting ready to jump for this shot, but the camera took the picture before I left the ground! How about those clouds?

An early spring run--a warm morning and a beautiful sunrise with the clouds above.

I loved the way the sun was streaming through the trees on this late fall run. No filter on this picture.

The combination of the heavy clouds and the sunrise made me stop and take this one last winter. I like everything about this picture--the high tension wires make for an interesting juxtaposition. 
Looking for the perfect shot has made me find beauty in every setting. Particularly when I am not training for anything, when I am not focused on pace or distance, I am captivated by running outside.

Do you take in the beauty around you? You can follow me on Instagram, where I post almost daily pictures. I'll follow you back!

On Friday, we're changing directions and having a Running Treasure Hunt! Come join us for the party--it will be a link up. You don't have to be a blogger to join in--you can link up a post from Facebook or Instagram as well. Find 5 interesting things on your run and share them with us. It's going to be fun!



I'm linking up with DebRuns for Wednesday Word, which is Captivating. I'm also linking up with Wild Workout Wednesday--Annmarie, Nicole, Jen, and Michelle are the hosts!








59 comments :

  1. This is what I aspire to and why I've been unable to do recently. Lose myself in any sort of fitness. Walking lifting running whatever it is – – I'm searching to be captivated.

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    1. I'm struggling with my runs this summer. Thankfully, my yoga and the sky show have salvaged even the worst runs I've had.

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  2. You always have great pics! I go through phases with the use of filters for my stuff....I like the ability to enhance the colors, etc. but I also like leaving it as I saw it firsthand. I guess the art geek and the realist go to battle in my head sometimes LOL

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    1. I like the ability to play with the lighting. Sometimes the phone just can't capture what I'm seeing. I look at my pictures as a blank canvas.

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  3. Lately most of my runs have at places that truly are not that exciting, or they were so hot I just wanted them done, or my walk break didn't come at the right time to photograph those lovely sunflowers and I was afraid of falling too far behind and getting lost . . .

    I do like the fact that walking the dog and running gets me out there on days I normally would stay holed up in the house!

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    1. Since i'm not in training right now, I have no qualms about stopping to capture what I'm seeing at that very moment!

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  4. I always love your photos! I don't take enough time to stop and look around at beautiful some of my surroundings are. Probably because I am too busy chit chatting to my friends. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. If I were running with others, I don't think I'd stop and snap pictures either!

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  5. I like to run outside for the reasons you mentioned. I have never enjoyed treadmill running either! -M

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  6. You always have such beautiful and interesting pictures. You really have an eye for the perfect shot. I do plan to join in on Friday. I've been keeping my eyes open for interesting things on my runs all week!

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    1. And of course, I'm not seeing interesting things this week! LOL!

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  7. Outside always trumps treadmill! I love seeing your running pictures.

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  8. Where I live (Northern NY) and the fact that I have young kids forces me to take it to the treadmill more than I'd like but when I do get the opportunity to run outside, it is my absolute FAVORITE. Nothing compares!

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  9. I can run in just about any element (thunder and lightning notwithstanding) but I have no qualms about hitting the treadmill whether it's convenient or just too hot for my liking. I think every runner is different. I listen to tunes or watch the TV so as not to get bored. BUT I love your photos outside and how you capture different elements. I've enjoyed a fairly run-less summer so now that I'm about to start half marathon training again, I feel the joy coming through.

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    1. Glad you are finding your joy again! It has been a struggle for me this summer and I'm glad I have these pictures to remind me of why I love to run.

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  10. I LOVE running outside for exactly this reason - being in nature and enjoying my surroundings. I love exploring new cities via a run, too. That said, I will go on the treadmill for a few runs - especially when I have to do speed drills. The treadmill forces me to stay on pace.

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  11. I actually find myself wishing I had a treadmill sometimes, because I know if I were watching Netflix while running, I would probably stick to my training a little better. With my crazy schedule, it's hard to find interesting places to run, though my neighborhood sometimes offers interesting little vignettes if I'm lucky...

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    1. Most of these pictures are from my neighborhood! It can be interesting...you just have to look a little harder.

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  12. You make your pictures so beautiful! I do notice the sunrises and animals around me, but almost never stop to take a photo...not sure why, except that once I start running, I feel like I need to power through to the end.

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    1. Sometimes stopping to catch my breath and getting a good picture puts a little pep back in my step!

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  13. I really miss waking up running by the harbor downtown. I loved watching the sun rise! I still get some nice views where I run now, but nothing like that.

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  14. You always have such amazing photos! I love running outside but I rarely stop to take pictures of the scenery. Where I run now is super pretty too, so I should take more photos to capture the beauty!

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    1. It's not super pretty where I live but there's always something to see!

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  15. I love running outside for this very reason. There's always a new sunrise, or new cloud formation, or a bird I haven't heard before. Keeps things interesting!

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  16. I love all your IG pics... so beautiful... I really need to take more running pics myself

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    1. I bet it's really pretty by you! I've enjoyed your yoga wine party pics... ;p

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  17. You know I run outside 365 days a year- what doesn't kill me will make me stronger!!!! :) I need an Iphone picture taking lesson in Panama City!

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  18. You really have gotten some great photos! It's harder for me to find a photo op on my neighborhood routes but I try to find something pretty or interesting for every run.

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    1. It's not really pretty here either but it's funny what you find when you look!

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  19. I absolutely love your pics! You need to give me some photo pointers!

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  20. Your photos are beautiful! Lots of big sky, whats not to love! Thanks for sharing!

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  21. You always have the best pictures---I need to do a better job with slowing down and enjoying the scenery!

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  22. Absolutely, 100% yes! It's one of the things I love most about running. You capture so much of the beauty so well on Instagram - please keep it coming!!

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    1. Thank you! I'm not doing a lot of running right now, so it just makes sense to focus on the pictures. Pun intended...

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  23. There is so much beauty to take in when running outside. I always love how you can capture exactly how you see the beauty that's around you.

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  24. Outside running is like no other. We are able to appreciate even the slightest or beauty! Love all your photos!

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  25. Great attitude. There is so much beauty to be had in the outdoors for sure!

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  26. Your pictures are spectacular, as always. Running outdoors makes me connect so much more with all of my senses, and I think that's the way it was intended to be. Oooh, the Running Treasure Hunt sounds like fun! Are we supposed to post on Friday, or does the treasure hunt launch on Friday for a future post?

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    1. You can post tomorrow or any time during the week. I'll leave the link up open for people who want to jump in!

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  27. I love your photos and filters! I actually just took my first running photo the other morning, though it was a picture of the sunrise, not me LOL! Btw, I just got back from 4 days in Chicago, LOVED IT!!

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    1. It's a great city, despite what you see on the news! Glad you had fun.

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  28. I'm SO with you on this. I only go on the treadmill when there is ice/snow or lightening. I actually tend to get injured on the treadmill if I do it too much, so I simply will skip speed work or a long run if the TM is my only option. There's always pool running, but I don't feel like the workout is as good. Great photos- as always!

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    1. I agree with you--nothing is as good as running on the road, but I found the pool running to be a worthy substitute!

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  29. I am always captivated by your fun pictures! I need to start taking the time again to take my GoPro with me on all my runs.

    Thanks for linking up!

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