When Bill and I headed out for an early morning run, it was only 55 degrees… My kind of weather! 🙂 I decided to run ten miles today since I won’t be able to join the Cruisers tomorrow morning for our long run. I couldn’t convince any of them to call into work sick and run with me, so after Bill peeled off at six miles I had to run the last four miles alone.
While still on our neighborhood trail we saw our local high school cross country team running toward us. There were probably about 40 runners total. It made me so happy to see these students out enjoying the beautiful morning before starting their school day!
Bill and I got on the W&OD Trail to run for a couple of miles, and lo and behold, we saw our friend Linda coming toward us! She and I used to run together for years at 6 AM with three other friends. We ran together five mornings a week before we got our kids off to elementary school, then middle school, and eventually high school. Schedules changed, and friends moved, but I could always count on joining Linda whenever I needed to head out for a super early run because she was like the little Energizer Bunny out there getting it done. Linda moved away a couple of years ago, so it was a very nice surprise to see her this morning! And of course it was great to catch up!
Once I was running by myself again, I started slacking taking picture of the beautiful flowers along the trail. These are thistles that my dad used to call “mean thistles,” because their seeds blow and spread so easily if you don’t keep them under control. Dad always kept a paper bag in his pocket when farming to break off the blooms and put in the bag so they wouldn’t go to seed. A field of these would be beautiful, but they would take over the grass and hay that the cattle need to eat.
These morning glories grow along the “guardrail” fences along the trail. They are gorgeous!
These look like some type of gerber daisy or shasta daisy. Perhaps a bird carried the seeds here from someone’s yard…
The grass along the trail was being mowed, and I took this picture as I ran by hoping that I wouldn’t be noticed. Unfortunately the driver looked right at me… Oh well, busted!
I was in heaven smelling the freshly cut grass for several miles! Freshly cut grass is one of my favorite smells and reminds me of my childhood!
And finally, don’t forget about my SPIbelt giveaway going on this week. To enter for a chance to win your very own Original SPIbelt, please use the Rafflecopter app below. Please be aware that specific colors are not guaranteed in the giveaway.
Rules to enter my SPIbelt giveaway:
- Winners will be selected by Rafflecopter at midnight on Tuesday, September 10, and announced on Wednesday, September 11.
- You are allowed to enter every day during this period. The more times and ways you enter, the greater your chances of winning.
- Shipping is available only in the continental United States.
- Once the winner is announced, that person will have until Friday, September 13 to claim the prize. If the winner fails to claim their prize, another winner will be chosen.
- Relatives of Deb Runs are not eligible to win.
GOOD LUCK!
- Questions:
- What wild flowers are blooming where you live?
- Did you run cross country in high school?
- Have you entered for a chance to win an Original SPIbelt??
Love the flower pics! Gorgeous!
How fun you found an old friend. I assume she was back visiting? Every time I run into people I know (even if I see them regularly) on a run, it is a big deal because it makes the run much more interesting.
My friend’s daughter still lives nearby and she was up visiting. It was such a pleasant surprise to see her! 🙂
We have been experiencing the cooler morning weather, as well. It’s awesome! Why do some of the XC runners appear to be in PJ’s??
How nice to run into an old friend! And I love how you got “caught” taking a picture of the mower, haha. I love the smell of fresh cut grass, but my all-time favorite outside smell is when people are making hay. Everyone around us has been making hay all week and I absolutely love that smell! Even though it’s a spring and fall thing, it always makes me think of fall.
The PJ pants on the cross country runners confused me, too! What’s up with that?
I LOVE the smell of freshly cut and curing hay. It reminds me of growing up on the farm! 🙂
I was just about to comment on the flannel…
Must’ve been the 55 degree temps! 🙂
It puzzles me when it’s 60 degrees and I see runners out in long pants and hoodies. One time when I was running in my shorts and racer-back top, a wrapped up runner asked me if I was freezing. I was the exact right temperature!
Or why anyone in Singapore would wear long pants/tops to workout, for anything other than religious reasons….
I’m excited to have something to carry things while I run! Are you in Cville too?
No, but I have several friends that live there now! Are you?
I am! I’ve been here for about a year and still feel totally new to the area.
Freshly cut grass is one of my favorites, too! I don’t get to smell it much here in Flagstaff. Sometimes… but not often enough.
Thistles make me think of House on Pooh Corner (the play Andrew was just in). Eeyore was always eating his thistles!
I guess that the desert landscape doesn’t lend itself to a lot of freshly cut grass…
Aw, yes, I do remember Eeyore eating thistles.
I am so excited that I made your blog, Deb!! It was such a treat to see you on the trail on Friday. Thanks for greeting me so warmly and for joining me for the end of my walk. Good luck during your half marathon this weekend. I will think of you as I don a tutu for the Run Like a Dive race in Leesburg!
It was great seeing you, Linda! I wish that the Run Like a DIVA Half weren’t the same weekend as my Hokie Half! It would have been so fun to run it with you. 🙂