30 Minutes: Near the Office

Before heading home to greet the trick-or-treaters, I went for a twilight run on the sidewalks around the office. Tonight the sky was clear with shades of orange, purple, blue, and black.

45 Minutes: Williams Gap Loop

I loved yesterday's run so much, I did the same thing again, only with the end to Daylight Saving Time, I did it an hour earlier and still had enough time to do my chores and mow the lawn before sunset. I thought I was running slower today, until I hit the 45-minute mark and noticed I went quite a bit further.

45 Minutes: Williams Gap Loop

The fall weather is absolutely fantastic. I started out for a short half-hour sprint and lengthened it to a 45 minute fun plus a roughly 15 minute hike to complete my Williams Gap Loop. Days like this are numbered.

30 Minutes: W&OD Trail (Hamilton)

I laced up from work and stopped in Hamilton on the way home for a short run on the W&OD Trail. It was cold and misty ... and it felt great.

30 Minutes: Scotland Heights

The autumn air is finally arriving, lending enough chill to the air that I opted for a long sleeve shirt, though shorts were still advisable. This is my favorite time of year. I did a simple out-and-back to a country road. Life is good, indeed.

Running Music

Dean Karnazes, elite ultramarathoner and Badwater winner, has a playlist.

Runner's World Gettin' Hip to Blogs

I've been reading Runner's World for years now, but have only seen passing references to blogs. Considering my blog is a great source of motivation, reflection, and advice (just as other runners' blogs are for them), I was always surprised that Runnner's World wasn't hip enough to catch on to this. Well, they finally have an article. It's a great first step, but I think they can go even further with it.

4.25 Miles: Leesburg King Street Loop

I can't remember the last time I did this loop. It's been nearly two years, but when I lived in Leesburg, I ran it regularly. Today, I had a two-birds-one-stone excuse. I needed to go for a run and my wife needed me to run an errand for her. So I ran the errand and this loop out in Leesburg. I kept a comfortable pace and finished in 40:58. I definitely felt like I still had a lot to offer in the end, which is good because I'd like to streak through this week. The loop goes out Davis Avenue to Dry Mill to Fairview to Old Waterford to King Street back to my car.

Cross Training: Lumberjacking

Well, I hit a bit of a slump, largely because of a big upswing in my workload and social schedule. It's hard being popular for one month a year. I thought I'd make up for it going on some hikes while camping this weekend, but my parade was rained out (7+ inches in two days), so I caught up on some reading instead. I did manage to make it out to my in-laws today to split some wood. My wife and I split about 1.5 cords and I am darned sore from it now--hamstrings, quads, back, abs, biceps, and hands. After splitting the wood, we had to stack it in a trailer, drive out to our house, and re-stack it all in our back yard.