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!