Saturday, October 21, 2023

Hello, My Pretty!

Disclaimer: As a member of the Brooks Run Happy Team, I received a complimentary pair of the Brooks Ghost Max in exchange for social shares. I really do love them!

So much prettiness again this week! My sister and I wrapped up our trip to Banff and headed home on Monday. Luckily, we had decent weather in Chicago, which helped ease the landing. Work was insane, but I was still riding the wave of a nice trip with my sister. Even better, our fall colors are peeking right now, so there's plenty of beauty right here at home. We headed up to the lake on Saturday where the colors are spectacular. There was a little bit of sunshine, but the clouds blew in and kind of dimmed the glow. It was still pretty for my run!

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: Emerald Lake hike 4 miles, sightseeing
Monday: travel home :(
Tuesday: yoga
Wednesday: run 6 miles
Thursday: strength training
Friday: run 6 miles
Saturday: Ice Age Trail run 10 miles

We wrapped up our sister trip on Sunday (if you missed the first installment, you can catch up HERE) by hitting all the final spots on our must-see list. The first stop was Emerald Lake, a must-see and definitely a rival for the most beautiful stop! We hiked around the lake and took tons of photos. The first half of the hike was easy but the second half took us into a very moist forest--lots of moss, mud on the trail, and tons of tree roots to keep us alert. We also hiked up a short hill to a little waterfall. We spent half the day here--it was that beautiful! The cover photo above is also from Emerald Lake.



Our next stop was Peyto Lake, which is another must-see. Getting there took us on the scenic Icefields Parkway which spans from Lake Louise to Jasper. Peyto Lake is accessible by a steep hike to a platform that gives a bird's eye view from above.

We next stopped at Bow Lake, which is a very large lake surrounded by large mountains. We also saw Crowfoot Glacier while we were there. The bright sunshine made photographing these places very challenging!


We made our way back to Canmore, where we stayed, and since it was such a beautiful day, stopped to see Three Sisters, the iconic triple peaks. 



After a goodnight's sleep--10 straight hours--I woke up Wednesday morning ready to lace up my new--speaking of pretty- Brooks Ghost Max and take them for a run. While my legs still felt fatigued, the shoes did not disappoint. The beautiful weather didn't hurt either! 


On Thursday, I met with SJ for my weekly strength sesh. We're kicking off a powerlifting cycle, which I am very excited about. I got to the gym early to loosen up. SJ had me start out with banded side steps, 2 sets. I also did some banded pull-aparts to open up my back and shoulders. Of course, she had deadlifts programmed for me! I did 4 sets of 10 at 120#. I alternated those with 3 sets of 8 ring rows. After that, I did 3 sets of 8 strict presses. 


I headed out into the dark on Friday for my bike path run. It was the first time I'd run in the dark since last winter! I wore my headlamp and some RunVisible gear. A few unlit runners ran towards me, which was a little creepy. While it did get lighter out, it was a cloudy morning, save for a few peeks at the sunrise. I was lucky to catch this brief break in the clouds on my way back!


With 16 miles left for the Mammoth Challenge, my goal was to get them done this weekend. On Saturday, I took my running shoes to the IAT segment at Devil's Lake State Park, hoping for 12 miles, some fall colors, and pretty views. I got all those things, but as I ran along the bluff above the lake, it started to get very crowded. And very noisy. At one point, I encountered a group of women and one of them started laughing--loudly. It was an unpleasant cackle and she kept doing it. Her laugh reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. That was the final straw! I took off into the woods in search of the alternate trail back to the parking lot. You know I love my trail time, but I like it peaceful.



I completed 8.5 miles by the time I got back to my car and I didn't relish the thought of running almost 8 miles again on Sunday. I was meeting my hubs and his dad for lunch in Baraboo and still had some time, so I crossed the street to the Merrimac Segment for another 1.5 miles. It was peaceful and pretty and I felt much better after I again returned to my car. I can still hear that cackle, though...


How was your week? Did you see anything pretty this week? Are the colors peaking by you? Are you finishing up any challenges?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 


26 comments :

  1. We did see pretty things but not like you! Amazing photos & I'm sure the time with your sister was just as amazing.

    I have wanted to go to Banff forever, but I know my husband wouldn't be able to do those hikes. :( Well, it's not on the calendar right now anyway. :)

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    1. I don't think my hubs would have been able to do those hikes either. I'm glad I have my sister to travel with me.

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  2. I've always considered myself more of a beach girl, but those mountain and lake pictures are stunning! We don't really get Fall colors here - it was in the 90s again last week. Our leaves are more likely to get blown off by Santa Ana winds.

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  3. All of your Banff pictures are beautiful, but I especially love the selfie of you on the rock with the beautiful fall colors in the background. Glad you had such a wonderful trip with your sister!

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  4. That trip looked absolutely amazing.

    Finishing up marathon training I guess that's a challenge.

    Hiked on Monday in rain but it was a very pretty trail in MA.

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  5. Your photos from Banff are insanely beautiful. Nothing can really compare to that, but I did have a nice trail run this week.
    I saw the Ghost Max at REI- I'm going to try them on next time I'm there.
    I'm laughing at your story of the cackling woman, although I would have been VERY annoyed if I had been there! Hope you got your miles finished up today.

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    1. I don't normally mention annoying people--they are everywhere--but that lady was exception. Oh, that laugh...it's going to haunt me for a while! Reminds me of that Seinfeld episode!

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  6. All three locations - Banff, your home trails, the trails by the lake - they all look absolutely beautiful. My favourite photo this time is the one with the iconic Three Sisters. WOW!
    Congrats on finishing the Mammoth Challenge! I saw your run on Strava.
    That witch laugh made me laugh!!!

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  7. Our colors seem to be a bit late this year; they're just in the early stages for the most part. I did see a lot of color, though, at last weekend's half, and also during my 10K this morning. Those lakes look breathtaking! The water is beautiful!

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  8. Looks like you are taking full advantage of the best fall has to offer! I think the colors this year are pretty spectacular. We drove down to ATL for a change, because M bought herself a new car the last time she was here and we delivered it to her. It was fun to drive through IN, KY, and TN and watch the changes in fall colors.

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    1. I didn't think the colors were going to show up, but they sure did! October has been such a fun month and has really flown by. Hopefully, it will make winter seem shorter lol

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  9. What gorgeous photos! Your trip looked really amazing! Looks like I need to go back and visit that area again. Forgot how gorgeous it was-it kind of reminds me of Alaska

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    1. I've never been to Alaska, but from what I've seen in photos, i think it's a valid comparison! Yes, you should go back. I want to!

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  10. Wonderful pictures, a real tonic, especially if all you're seeing is dust and plaster like I am and not getting to escape much!

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    1. I'm glad to have had such a beautiful, busy month, especially with winter right around the corner.

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  11. That is some amazing scenery there! What beautiful places. I've been able to catch some autumn foliage in the forests here in Italy, especially this past weekend in Bosco Sant' Antonio, otherwise I'm quite starved of autumn colours, sadly.
    I can totally relate to how you felt about that group of ladies - trail walks/runs are supposed to be quiet and peaceful!

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    1. I was grateful to have some trails farther in the woods where I could escape the crowds and the noise!

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  12. Absolutely stunning pictures. I can't get over the views in Banff! So, so pretty. And I'm sure it was even prettier in person!

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  13. Mesmerized - Absolutely Gorgeous - So Stoked For Ya

    Big Hugs
    Cheers

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  14. I would be staring at those pictures all day long. What a memorable and gorgeous trip. Nothing particularly pretty here. I planned to go to the beach this week, but my scheduling was off. Boo.

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