Sunday, October 30, 2016

The Color Runs...

Autumn in the Midwest is the season of color. Sure, it's nice to see green in the spring after the white and gray of winter, but fall is when things really pop around here. In a sense, it's nature's last hurrah before shedding its foliage and getting ready for winter. Seems ironic, right? Just when it's getting cold, gray, and drab, the trees decide to get naked. Who thought this was a good idea? Don't we need color in the winter?

I don't make the rules, I just live here. And I'm savoring every last moment of nature's show before winter takes over. Not only are the leaves colorful, but the sky has been giving us a nice show in the morning and at night.

This past week was peak season for the colors and I savored it--both on the road and off. Even on the cloudy days, the colors of the leaves made me happy. My weekly training summary is all about the colors of fall!

Taking the Long Way Home


Running: This was also the week that most of my runs felt good. I'm moving at a pace I like. The cooler temperatures we had for most of the week are definitely a confidence booster! Saturday's run was warm--63 degrees at 7 am, but who's complaining?

Taking the Long Way Home
Can you even tell that it was raining this day?
For Sunday's long run, I decided to run to this pretty little preserve about 3 miles from my house. I prepared 2 bottles of Tailwind and headed out in the blustery, cold, drizzly morning. This was a tough run from the start. I took it slow and admired the foliage. As I got closer to the preserve, I saw a coyote, but he took off into the woods as I approached. The limestone path was sheltered from the wind. The colors weren't as spectacular as I had hoped, but I found plenty to admire.


On the way home, I stopped at the top of Payton's Hill--the hill where football great Walter Payton used to train--and was stunned at the view. Yes, colors, but also a view of downtown Chicago, which is about 25 miles away!


Total mileage for October? 107 miles...

Taking the Long Way Home

Yoga: I made it to one yoga class on Wednesday, and even though our regular instructor was still away in Hawaii, the sub was Megan, from my Monday class! As always, her class was amazing. Lots of shoulder and hip openers. It was pouring rain that day, so I did my daily pose in the studio. Our studio is lit with blue lights, and they cast an interesting violet glow on the walls.

Taking the Long Way Home
Humble Warrior
CrossFit/CrossTraining: I've been asked twice to participate in that 22 day 22 push up challenge to raise awareness to suicide in veterans. It's a great cause, but I'm still fighting that tendonitis in my forearm. I definitely have lost strength in my upper body, but right now, I have to play it safe. I did do some pushups at the playground, along with some other upper body work. On Thursday, Becky had me do a variety of things--some front/back lunges, some core work with the resistance ball, sumo deadlifts, and GHD back extensions. Sore much?

I'm glad to be doing lower body work again--I feel it on the road, with those steady, strong paces. Sunday's run had some steep inclines and I conquered them fairly easily. I'm debating throwing some speedwork into my half marathon training. Do I or don't I? I sure want to keep my feet happy!

But the colors of fall..they are truly a feast for the senses. Knowing what's ahead, those cold gray days of winter, we need to savor every last moment...


How was your week? Anything colorful on your runs?

I'm linking up with Tricia and Holly, as well as Angela and Ilka for their weekly linkups! Please be sure to check out all the posts for inspiration and color!


83 comments :

  1. 63 degrees at 7 am would be chilly to me! I think it was 73 yesterday morning, with lower humidity, and it actually felt cool here on Oahu. It's all relative, isn't it?

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    1. It's all relative! In the summer, 63 would feel cool but this time of year it feels warm. It was also very humid. It just doesn't feel right in late October!

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  2. My long run yesterday was chilly & rainy, but thankfully not solo!

    We are definitely past peak, and Mr. Judy is dealing with all the colorful right now.

    I do love fall running, though! Except for the fall snow. :(

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    1. My husband deals with all the colorful too--he mulches it. Sigh...

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  3. We are having glorious fall weather. In France we do not get the gorgeous foliage you do in the US (I grew up in Maine.... GORGEOUS foliage). But for some reason this year has been very nice. And it was 65 degrees today. I had coffee outside. I'll take it !

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    1. That surprises me--that France doesn't have the colorful leaves! It seems like the climate is so similar to ours. Except that you don't get the brutal winters...

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  4. I am not a fan of winter at all but we lived in TX for two years and as much as I loved the sun, I was surprised how much I missed fall colors and experiencing all 4 seasons! I appreciate the color so much more since moving back.

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    1. I hear that from people who move south. I think I probably would miss it. I don't think I'd miss winter, tho!

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  5. We have had a pretty nice fall. My hubby just mulches the color too.

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  6. I have seen lots of beautiful colors as well (during my daylight runs)...but don't usually have my phone with me to capture the images. Love all your pics!!

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    1. I always carry my phone for safety reasons--being able to capture beautiful pictures makes it all the better!

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  7. I am loving and really appreciating all of the colors of fall this year! Have a great week

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  8. I'm so enjoying the break from the heat although not looking forward to the brutal cold to come. We're in that running sweet spot and yes, the colors are gorgeous but fleeting.

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  9. Lots of rain and humidity in my area this week. The sun is not as strong but it's still super humid. Your fall pics look amazing - perfect running weather. 107 mile for this month is absolutely amazing!! October went by so super fast this year I think.

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    1. We've been so fortunate this fall--I was surprised at my mileage as well!

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  10. Our trees really started turning color this week. I hope to convince my husband to take a fall foliage bike ride next weekend. We need to beat the next storm that will blow the leaves away!

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    1. We haven't had that storm yet either! And the forecast for the week ahead is still warm!

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  11. Beautiful photos!!! I feel stupid for asking this question, but what is Tailwind?

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    1. That's the running fuel I use. It was developed for ultramarathoners but I used it for my 2d Chicago marathon and it worked like a charm. I continue to use it when I run long distances. I have a lot of tummy problems and this is the one thing I can use without issues. Since you are continually sipping the fuel, there's no bonk. Good stuff. If you want to try it, PM me and I'll send you some.

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  12. Loving the colors of fall, all the leaves. Awesome October miles! I'm not looking forward to the cold weather.

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  13. I love all the colors of fall! Definitely the prettiest time of year I think and so perfect for running.

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  14. I absolutely love that shot from Peyton's hill - OMG - just stunning. I think I would get chills running up that every time just knowing the history. So great.
    And, what a great week for you!! Fall is on the way out here (we had snow last Thursday) but I'm savoring every last colorful leaf and the weather (except for the snow) has been perfection!!

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    1. For the first time, yesterday, I noticed the #34 on the golf course! It's pretty cool.

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  15. Payton's hill has such an incredible view. I went with Mo one time and I can see why it is so popular! We got so much beautiful color while in Denver, I just wish that we could keep the same temps that we had in Denver as well!

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    1. It's a crazy park built on an old garbage dump but the park district did a nice job with it. The legend of Payton doesn't hurt either!

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  16. Sounds like you had a great week! Wonderful pics, thanks for sharing. All the leaves are changing here and the temps have dropped dramatically are highs are in the 50's.

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  17. No colors yet here. I loved being in Boulder a couple weeks ago because the trees have turned up there, and it was gorgeous. I swear Texas is mocking me and my wanting of fall. I said screw it yesterday and wore a hoodie to finish my errands. I was a bit warm, but I wanted to wear that hoodie.

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    1. Fall has been slow to come here as well--this is the latest I've seen leaves on the trees in a long time! I'm ok with it tho--that means winter will be shorter. Right?

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  18. Fall seems to be taking it's time this year instead of just disappearing, which is nice! I run in some parks with really pretty fall color.

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    1. I just said that in the comment above! LOL! I'm good with that.

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  19. This weekend in Virginia Beach surely did not feel like fall with the temps in the 80s. This week it is suppose to be a bit cooler though. That blustery cold rainy run does not sound fun. But that's cool you got to see a coyote. Good thing he turned the opposite way.

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    1. The coyotes aren't too interested in people. If I was walking my dog, it might have been a different story...

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  20. I'm loving all the colors too, but I think we had our best colors last week and now we're starting to lose a lot of the leaves and color. Fall running is one of my favorites!

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  21. The only color in my runs is in me as I am happily starting to run again. Yoga class tonight after three weeks away due to family stuff, good stuff: a 40th wedding anniversary, a son's wedding, another son's birthday (and his first visit home after 5 1/2 years. Oh, yes, color me very happy in one of the happiest weeks of my life).

    These photographs are marvelous, especially the one in the studio. The combination of your humble warrior and the lighting are perfection.

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    1. I'm glad you've had such a wonderful time with your family recently! Savor it!

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  22. When I saw this post pop up in my feed I was thinking "Wendy did a color run?" And then I saw the post. These are gorgeous shots! Fall is the prettiest time of year here in Virginia too. So great that you are able to experience the beauty through running.

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    1. Pretty sure I'll never do one of those "color runs"! But I figured this was "my" color run...

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  23. Gorgeous photos, I love the one of Chicago. My run was beautiful on Sunday, but I was afraid if I stopped to take a pic I wouldn't get started again, LOL!

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    1. I had never noticed that you could see downtown from there! When I drive to work on Rand Road, I can also see it. Kind of cool!

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  24. I love these photos! So bright! And I had no idea there was a spot that far outside Chicago where you could see the skyline!! I'll try to get some fun color photos this week on my recovery runs!

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  25. Looks like great view on Payton's hill of Chicago! I'll have to tell my son about that hill since he is named after Walter (Hubby is a big Bears fan). :) Love fall colors but we don't get it Northern California as much as when we lived in NJ. There was so much pop of color there. Have a great week!

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    1. Really? That's so cool! On the golf course in this park, they have a big #34 sign. I'll take a pic of it and share it in a future post.

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  26. I'm pretty happy that I don't do much running in the dark.

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  27. Beautiful! I have been purposefully driving out of my neighborhood so I can go on some scenic runs and really soak in the fall colors! Totally worth the extra time. Wendy, do you normally just run from your front door or drive somewhere?

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    1. Unless the sidewalks are snow packed, I run from my front door to my destination. Yesterday's run took me 3 miles along busy streets (and a car dealer) until I got to Payton's hill. From there it's another 1/2 mile to the preserve. The destination is my reward.

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  28. There's definitely some beautiful fall foliage colors in your neck of the woods! I love seeing all of your Yoga poses...you make it look so easy and graceful!

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    1. Well thank you! I'm not graceful at all, so that would be a win!

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  29. I would love to have 63 degrees in the early morning. Ours are definitely getting cooler. We normally have lots of rain in October and I am sure that makes it feel even cooler than it really is!

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    1. Oh, that was definitely an odd morning! We're seeing mostly 40s and 50s in the am these days!

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  30. Such beautiful views and pictures! I saw a beautiful red tree on my run on Friday, but was very into my moment of running and didn't stop to take a picture.

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    1. Haha! I've been doing more of that lately too. But Sunday's run was so hard, I didn't mind stopping at all. In fact, I needed it.

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  31. You captured some beautiful scenes last week. I absolutely love the one of you running with the leaves on the ground. Such a beautiful scene!

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  32. Beautiful scenery, Wendy. Wow. Truth be told, I run so early all I see is dark. In the summer I get to see a sunrise but now it's just dark when I start, dark when I end! Way to get in a high mileage month! That is awesome and sounds like your foot is keeping calm--YAY.

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    1. I'm grateful I get to run in the daylight almost all the time.

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  33. Beautiful colors. Thanks for sharing (and keep them coming) because after our 2 months drought, I doubt we will get our normal November color. The tendonitis in my elbow lasted almost a full year (just like the ortho said it would!). I did get 2 steroid shots, but only the first one worked. I could not pick up a milk jug. I hope yours heals quickly. Thanks for linking, Wendy.

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    1. I don't have any problem picking up food items...I guess that's a good thing? Hoping it doesn't progress any further than it is right now.

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  34. Love the beautiful pictures, I don't think there is a chance in hell we'll see any pretty colors, heck everything is dying and falling off before it has a chance to turn. It is so dang dry here, no rain in sight either. So I appreciate the pictures.
    I was glad to get back to leg day and man missing 2 weeks was so hard hard coming back from that. I'm still enjoying the high of my race. I felt pretty good and no problems. Have a great week Wendy!

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    1. Glad your race went so well! The strength training will be a game changer for you! It was for me.

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    2. So far you are absolutely right!!! Why couldn't I find the importance of it when I first started running???

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  35. I feel like it's just barely becoming fall here. Most of the trees haven't changed yet. I do need to start doing some more strength training though - my core is super sore from running the marathon yesterday.

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  36. Fall colors are one of the most amazing things. I think you're right to stay away from that challenge if your forearm still isn't 100%. Maybe I'll do it, though!

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    1. I did some stuff at the playground today--it's better but still hurts. I think it's going to be an issue for a while.

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  37. So stunning! We don't get color changes here. There are other benefits to Florida living, but the change of seasons isn't one of them.

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    1. I threaten to move to Florida all the time and everyone tells me I'd miss the change of seasons. I don't know. Winter is so bad. Let's see how this one goes...

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  38. Beautiful pictures!!! My favorite is the view from Payton's Hill. I've heard about that hill before and have never gotten a chance to check it out, but hope to do so someday. I think it's smart to forgo the pushup challenge. These fitness challenges can be a fun way to stay motivated, but it's definitely not worth the risk when you're nursing some niggles!

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    1. If you ever want to run to Payton's Hill with me, let me know! I leave from my house--it's 3 miles away.

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  39. I'm living vicariously through your colorful runs. My training has been a bust for the past week due to a nasty chest cold and I am trying to get healthy for the NYC Marathon. We mostly have just some yellow and brown leaves yet as peak foliage has passed us by here in NH. Enjoy soaking it all in. It really is one of the most brilliant times of year!

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    1. I would think fall is spectacular in your neck of the woods! Sorry you're feeling crummy. I hope it passes by NYCM!

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  40. What a beautiful week! It has been gorgeous here with blue skies and temps finally down to the 60's and highs just in the 80's :) I have yoga class tonight and I loving our new classes! My palm trees are still green :)

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  41. I love your photos! As someone who is restricted to running indoors currently, I envy your scenery

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    1. Curious why you are restricted to the indoors! I'm outside all year round!

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  42. I LOVE all your running pictures! Fall running is the best, cool temps, but not too cool and surrounded by so much beauty. Thanks for linking up, hope you had a wonderful week!

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