Day 40: Sat Sept 21st - Happy Day

Day Forty: As per this balloon it's ...Happy Day! 
 I know I should stop counting down as it makes the goal that much more daunting... but 325 more days to go!    Jax didn't come with me this morning. He was a tired doggy.  So I didn't end up on the trails and just ran the neighborhoods.  Which was fine, with the exception that my mp3 died 10 minutes in. Though I enjoy running with silence and my thoughts from time to time, I sure as hell much prefer music in one ear to keep me moving on tempo.  Lately I have been listening a bunch to MUSE and Flogging Molly on repeat. I find that the music helps cancel out my thoughts, helping me to run in the moment. Without it, I tend to wrestle with my minds to-do lists, bills, making plans etc...
My favorite song of the moment is Invincible.  If you haven't heard it, you must.  The message is uplifting and full of strength. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JYV2LWsP3g  Warning... the video it pretty trippy but the lyrics are 

*this post was stuck in draft... I didn't know until today (Monday)

Day 41: Sun Sept 22nd - County Trail

Day Forty-one:  Family hike and run day. The four of us went on a county trail. It was nice and cool with the threat of rain. We were hoping for a downpour but it passed us by on the East.  This swan, as pretty as she was, was not thrilled with Jax being so close and kept hissing at us.  Jax, on the other hand, thought the swan was very exciting and at one point tried to jump in the pond to 'play'.   

Afterwards we went to the farmers market, bought a bunch of  fruit and vegetables and then paid a visit to our favorite cows.  This brown cow was so friendly, my youngest wanted to take it home.   Now it's time to make some homemade donut holes... yum!

Day 39: Fri Sept 20th - Slow and Steady

Day Thirty-nine: "Slow and steady.......slow and steady......"  was the theme of the morning.  Quite a chilly but refreshing start to the day.  The moon was full and slowly sinking West as the sun was rising over the mountain tops on the opposite side. The full moon was so pretty I tried taking a photo, but it kept dancing away my phone camera frame and all my photos came out blurry.  So I took a picture of this old gnarly tree instead. This tired old tree wasn't up for dancing. 

 

 

 



 

Day 38: Thurs Sept 19th - Winter is Coming

Day Thirty-eight: "Winter is coming".....Eh!  Enough of this nonsense! Though the first frost of the year was rather pretty and a bit surprising, (45 degrees this morning) it is a bit too early for my taste. Why won't the weather listen to me?  I supposed I need to go with the flow of the weather, however, I get nervous that Autumn will be gone before I know it and the winter chill and inversions will take it's place until late Spring.  
Running was nice. It was kind of a strange run. Jax seemed rather energetic and antsy. His head turned at every noise on the trial. Then strangely, rising up from the path, the horse pasture with 8-10 horses in it started neighing rambunctiously, all at once, crazy like.  I was too far away to see what was going on with them as I have never heard them get excited all at the same time.  It was almost like there was a nervousness in the air that I wasn't quite catching, but only witnessing. I wish a bit of the energy would have caught hold of my feet, then perhaps I could have ran a little bit faster. My legs and feet were Gumby-like today.
Now here I sit, feeling the chill in my office, sipping my cold energy drink since I'm too lazy to make coffee. I tell myself that I won't drink the damn things, but some days I cave.  Now I think my fingers are turning purple.

 “Nothing burns like the cold.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Day 37: Wed Sept18th - Whiney Leaves

Day Thirty-seven:  Wine...Whine... Wine... YES PLEASE!   A bit too early for wine so I will settle for coffee and whine.... or maybe a mimosa. ;) Funny enough, wine came to mind while I was running.  I spotted this branch of beautiful leaves that far away reminded me of a large grape vine.  
Actually I don't have anything to whine about. Today is supposed to be 20 degrees cooler. Cheers!

Day 36: Tues Sept 17th - Growing Despite Adversity

Day Thirty-six:  The little sunflower who could. I want to find something inspirational and uplifting so say about this little flower.  Growing in a large field of greenery and weeds. Growing despite adversity. It's a perfect opportunity to write something fun and uplifting... right?!  But despite having a decent run this morning... I am not feeling so happy-go-lucky. In all truth I am  naturally a serious type of person. Not mean, not overly happy and sometimes downright... pissy.  It is my goal to change that.  Doing this blog and taking these photos have seemed to help so far. With the exception of this morning. It's funny how emotions and outlook change from moment to moment.  I have no concrete reason why I am not as joyful this morning. I usually feel pretty good after my run. Perhaps it's stress.  Perhaps it is lack of sleep.  Perhaps it's because I caught a glimpse of another 90 + degree day forecast on the news this morning. (yuck). Regardless the reason(s), what it comes down to is remembering that I choose to be happy or pissy in each moment.  Like this flower, I can be brave, beautiful and confident. I can rise above the weeds and smile at the sun.. even on a 90 degree day.

Day 35: Mon Sept 16th - Autumn Slow Down

Day Thirty-five:  Whoa!  Slow down September.  I just typed Sept 16th and cannot believe we are mid-September already!   Please slow down Autumn.  I beg you.  It's my favorite time of year.  This morning before my run began I walked outside to a  breathtaking double rainbow.  I tried to take a bunch of photos but they simply don't do it justice.  The rainbow was a full arc, double with vibrant colors.  A quick little storm cloud behind it eventually drenched poor Jax and I when we started on the trail ... but it was exhilarating!  I felt so quick and fast sprinting along while sheets of rain stung my arms and legs.  It was a fast moving storm but chilled the air down to a wonderful temperature ... almost dare I say... cold. I loved it. :)

Day 34: Sun Sept15th - Oktoberfest

Day Thirty-four:  What a fun afternoon! Drove up to Oktoberfest @ Snowbird. The four of us went hiking / running up and down the trails on the outskirts and in between the forest trees on the deer trails before celebrating with large mugs of local ale (not the kids of course). The views were fantastic and the colors just starting to change.  I love to see the joy on my girls faces when they are in nature and marveling at their own experience with the sights and smells, taking photos and experiencing the majestic rocks, waterfalls and cute little chipmunks.

Day 33: Sat Sept 14th - River Buddha

Day Thirty-three: Meet River Buddha. He watches over me when I run. One day he was just there, sitting patiently and whispering "go for it... you can do it" while not making a sound.  I've heard him also say "chill out lady.....", "enjoy the moment" and lastly... "don't get so mad at the dog owners who decide it's an off leash trail and poop is acceptable to step on". !%^#%!#  Poo is okay... unless you step on it.  That is when I have to remind myself to be calm and patient like my Buddha friend. Breathe in... breathe out.  Enjoy the slowly changing colors, the smells  - rain, flowers... and well... I guess also poo.  Jax seems to like the smell of the poo.  Reminders are good wherever you can get them.  Thank you River Buddha.

Day 32: Fri the 13th - Superstitious? I don't think so.

Day Thirty-Two September 13th - Today is Friday the 13th.  I'm not superstitious in the slightest, however despite my glorious run in the mist this morning, the day is proving to be quite challenging. BUT this is a positive blog, so I won't do any bitching.
Doppler for the weather system was down, so I wasn't sure what to anticipate outside, but was pleasantly surprised. It was cool and misty. Almost like the Seattle rains I miss so much.  The mountains never fail to impress me from the top of the trail. The Rockies are so majestic. I love how they frame the valley. 
Jax and I found a peculiar hut wood limb structure deep in one area off the trail. I imagined a small ogre living in it. It was taller than me and quite impressive considering I hadn't see it the day before.  Jax kept sniffing around it as if he smelled something intensely interesting.
I didn't want to linger long though... in case we woke the ogre up.  It is Friday the 13th of 2013 ya know...and monsters are real. ;)