Playing Outside

This really is the best time of year to be a runner! Or is it fall? I love them both so much. As for all my complaining about the slow arrival of spring, I will grudgingly admit that these cooler temperatures have made for some great runs. It has also allowed me to really appreciate the arrival of all the blooms. I've made sure to get out early to soak up all the beauty and solitude that comes with being alone on the trails.

Weekly Rundown:

Sunday: Ice Age Trail Lodi Marsh segment 8.6 miles/1200 ft

Monday: Ice Age Trail Gibraltar Rock 3.2 miles/700 ft

Tuesday: Fluid running

Wednesday: Trail run 6.25 miles

Thursday: Strength Training

Friday: Run 6 miles

Saturday: rest

What a morning! I was on the trail by 6:45, hoping to beat the many people who were sure to be out for the holiday weekend. It was cool, but the bright sunshine kept me warm as I started up the hill that would take me into the woods. Spring has been a few weeks behind due to all the rain we've received this year, but it's here now! The wildflowers showed up in a big way, and I heard a lot of birds, just like I did last Wednesday on my 'home' trails. I only saw a few--I did see a bluebird and an eagle flying away with its prey. I also saw a deer-something I don't see very often on these trails. 

This tree appendage reminded me of an elephant's trunk! And look at all those wild geraniums! 

I went down into the marsh, hoping to see marsh marigolds, but they are not blooming yet. It was still beautiful! The sound of the bubbling stream coming out of the bluff was like a balm to my soul. What a fantastic morning!

Columbines

We were still up at the lake on Monday, and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to go up to Gibraltar Rock! It was another beautiful morning. I hiked to the top and soaked up the views while enjoying having the entire trail to myself! I made my way down the trail that runs along the back of the rock. The birds were singing loudly, and once again, my Merlin app was busy tracking them all. I hated for this run/hike to come to an end!

Gibraltar Rock from the bottom

I was out the door early on Wednesday to try to beat the impending rain. When I arrived at the trailhead, it was sprinkling lightly, but after a couple of miles, it started to rain for real.  I kept going with the goal of getting at least 6 miles. The raindrops were my soundtrack for this run. The woods were very quiet. I saw a few deer in the distance and the owl flying over the creek, but for the most part, it was just me and my thoughts. When I finished, I was soaked, but that didn't spoil my satisfaction with this beautiful run!

I thought these were fun mushrooms, but after using Seek to identify them, I found out it was a Wool Sower Gall Wasp egg case. The wasps lay their eggs in the spring and grubs create the case, or 'gall', providing protection and nutrition for the developing larvae. These wasps do not have stingers and do not harm humans. Birds will eat them.

With the Memorial Day Holiday on Monday, we had no strength class that day. On Thursday this week, we repeated a class we did a few weeks ago. I'm so confused...

Set 1 4 rounds: :40 KB Gorilla rows using (35#)/:10 transition/:40 DB bridged chest press (25# alternating arms) 

Set 2 4 rounds :40 seated single arm landmine press (35#BB)/:10 transition/:40 double arm landmine row (85# BB) 

Set 3 4 rounds :40 dips (36" boxes)/:10 transition/ :40 KB suitcase carry (45>53#)

Set 4 4 rounds :40 alternating front/lateral DB raises (10#)/ :40 medball chest throw (14#) 

I was tired Friday morning when I headed out for my run, just slogging along. One of the fastest runners I know came up behind me and started running my pace. He asked if I was training for anything (no), and I found out that he is training for IM Lake Placid and IM Wisconsin. He was so excited about it that I couldn't help but feel excited too! After he split off to run with his training partners, I continued the positive momentum, running each mile faster than the last. Negative splits! I sure didn't expect the run to turn out like that!

Off the Road...

I received some fun mail this week--I won a giant prize package from Honey Stinger! It all was packed into a 12 liter Igloo cooler: 3 cases of Honey Stinger waffles and chews, a picnic blanket, soccer ball, water bottle, Goodr sunnies, and a bunch of fun swag. I did an unboxing on IG if you want to check it out! Cocoa even has a cameo appearance, lol. She has to be involved in everything!

On Saturday, I went to my family reunion. A little history: I grew up in a small town in northern Illinois. My grandfather was a dairy farmer, and when my dad and his brothers got married, they each received 3 acres of land to build their homes. My dad and 3 of his brothers built next door to each other. My dad's other brother built a home in town. I grew up living next door to my cousins, and they were my companions for most of my childhood. We all went to the same high school and there were 4 of us in the same grade with our lockers next to each other, flanked on either side by my 2 older cousins and my sister and younger cousin. Kinda crazy, right? 

After high school, we all went our separate ways, seeing each other at weddings and funerals and occasional parties over the years. This was the first time we've all been together in probably 25 years, and it was really nice! In the past, family parties were pretty wild, but this was amazingly tame. We caught up on life. Everyone's kids and grandkids were there. But even though we hadn't seen each other for a long time, there was that connection...you know, when you see someone from your past and it's like you just saw them yesterday? That's how it felt. 

I also loved introducing my boys to everyone and letting them hear us reminisce about growing up in the country, playing on the farm, and sharing our shenanigans. What a wonderful day. I didn't take any photos, but there were some old photos on the tables that we could take home. I've got this one of the 'cousins and my grandma. The year was probably 1979. See if you can find me!

Lastly...have you seen this app called Fake My Run? It allows you to create a route and generate a GPX file that you can upload to Strava. I found out about it in this NYT article. I know some people cheat on their runs, but who would go to the trouble of uploading a fake route to Strava? It's an interesting concept, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

How was your week? Have you seen anything interesting on your runs this week? How do you feel about running with someone who is much faster than you? What's the best thing you've ever won from an online giveaway?

My Mini Book Reviews for May are live on the blog! Be sure to check it out!

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