I seriously cannot believe I just acknowledged the Farewell to Summer reality...
I've been in denial for the past several weeks, after all. Even in the midst of all the darkness-laden runs I've done as of late, a part of me kept hanging on to the last semblance of those warm temps that I adore so much.
Oddly, I'm not too sad. Trust me, I AM sad (just not sad enough to cower under the covers and refuse to step outside). In a strange, cathartic kind of way, it does feel good to move forward into the autumn season. Summer will be there waiting for me in 8-9 months. Let's not forget that in another three months, we'll pass the winter solstice and the days will start getting longer...but I'm getting ahead of myself. Glass half full, my friends!
None the less, let's
runfess....
Speaking of summer ending, though,
I'll start out runfessing that the summer of 2019 seemed like the shortest summer ever. I've lived through more than 50 summers, after all; I have quite a few summers to compare 2019 to. I made the most of it by running or walking or biking outside pretty much every day, no matter the heat or humidity. Still, it didn't seem like there were very many of those early morning endeavors with an excess of early morning daylight. Thankfully, I did get to witness many a beautiful sunrise...
 |
| there's nothing like the power of a beautiful sunrise |
For the first time, in a very long time,
I runfess that I skipped my usual Sunday shakeout recovery run this past weekend. Surprisingly, I didn't feel an ounce of guilt or regret. My back has been kind of achy (I think it's a result of excessive stretching and contorting from helping my sister paint), and it was raining. I did grab the umbrella and go for a 2-mile power walk, but the run never happened, not even after the rain stopped.
 |
| rejuvenated by a walk in the rain |
After 12 continuous weekly rides on the hilly bike trail (a 15-mile round trip),
I runfess that didn't happen this past weekend either. I still got in a late afternoon 16-mile ride (on rolling hills with a nasty headwind, just saying), though. Oddly, I didn't feel any remorse for the end of that biking streak. I am still biking a few times each week, though, because it's been a game-changer with MCM training.
 |
| riding with Gustavas |
We've had a lot of sporadic rain the past couple weeks. The temps have been rather warm, too. In anticipation of last weekend's rainy forecast, most of you probably saw that my friend and I made a spontaneous decision to do our long run after work last Friday evening. As hot and humid as it was,
can I runfess that it was oddly empowering to get it done? I've certainly had much easier long runs, but those 10 miles really weren't too painful...but they were very sweaty.
 |
| No, I'm not crying, but the salty sweat made my eyes burn |
Finally, I pride myself on being very detailed-oriented. As mentioned, I spent time outside almost every day this summer, but
I runfess that I did not notice this beauty of a hornet's nest hanging above our driveway until this week. I doubt it was just built over the weekend, so it's probably been there for most of the summer. The thing is, we have not seen any of the nest's inhabitants in our yard or near the house. Everything we've read and heard tells us to just leave it for the time being because the hornets will not survive a hard freeze (and there's a chance we'll have our first frost next week). The nest is easily 50 feet above ground, so it's completely out of reach (not that we'd attempt to do anything with it on our own anyways). Things that make you go hmmm.
 |
| Yowza!!! |
Anyways, those are just a few things I'm
runfessing for now, as I bid my dear summer a (somewhat) fond farewell and welcome the autumn season.
How about you? Any
runfessions you'd like to share? Are you sad to see summer go, or are you embracing the autumn season? Did summer seem to go too fast? Ever found a hornet's nest in your yard?
I'm linking this with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions link-up.
I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday with Fairytales and Fitness link-up.
Are you following me on social media?
Omg really? Frost next week?? That seems awfully early to me. Thanks for runfessing!
ReplyDeleteYes, there's a chance of frost (definitely not a hard freeze, though). I agree, it's way too early for that crap LOL
DeleteWe have had some killer hornets nests here, oftentimes we are blissfully unaware of them until they're that size, too.
ReplyDeleteSince my Garmin tracks my resting heart rate, I've noted that almost invariably it's a little elevated after a long run. Part of why I'm a fan of the recovery run. I'd much rather recover with yoga. :)
I was dumbfounded upon spotting the nest. Honestly, I was outside every day LOL How did I not see it sooner?
DeleteYikes on the hornet's nest! We have had no rain and it's still in the 90s! I hope fall comes by October!
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, our temps have been staying pretty warm (though they have been in the 50's/low 60's in the early hours when I'm doing most of my running). Ugh...I don't mind the cooler fall temps, but am in NO hurry for anything colder.
DeleteThat is a huge hornets nest! We are still having summer like temps here for the foreseeable future.Thankfully the mornings are a little cooler.
ReplyDeleteOur mornings have been really cool (at least in my opinion LOL), but they are comfortable.
DeleteWe have a hornets nest in our yard too and will definitely not get a freeze to take care of it. Summer did go fast but I’m glad it’s over. Cooler weather and returning clients make me happy!
ReplyDeleteI have such mixed feelings on the cooler temps...they are nice for running, but they are a painful reminder of what's coming a few short months later...
DeleteYikes, that hornet's nest looks pretty scary! I'm glad to hear you haven't seen any of the residents at least :)
ReplyDeleteRight? I am so surprised we haven't seen any hornets neat the house or in the yard. That nest totally took me by surprise LOL
DeleteCan you see me waving bye-bye to summer from my desk chair? LOL But seriously, running in cooler temps and less humidity is always a good thing, right?
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your back. I also have lower back pain. I've been using the KT Wide Tape on my back for my double digit runs and it's really been helping out a lot.
Yes, Kim, running in cooler temps (with less humidity) is nice ;-) I'll never deny that...I just prefer the warmer temps LOL
DeleteProps for taking it easy(er) last weekend. I runfess that I am frustrated as heck that it's a perfect fall day today but tomorrow the temps are returning to hard core heat wave for my 2nd half marathon...can you send me some of your hot weather running mojo for tomorrow?
ReplyDeleteha ha ha...most people think I'm bonkers for my love of hot weather. I think it's not much of an issue for me because I take it (the heat) for what it is and don't have any grandiose finish times to worry about on a warm day.
Deletethat hornet's nest is super scary! We had some build a ground nest and we never noticed them till I ran over the opening when I was push mowing and boy did they not like that. Hopefully we will get a good killing freeze ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThat would be freaky! I read that the hornets usually will leave you alone if you leave them alone, too. Their nest is high enough in the tree, ain't nobody gonna disturb them LOL
DeleteThat hornet's nest is crazy! Glad you haven't seen any of its inhabitants.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I had to do a double take when I spotted the nest. It was such a surprise to see something so BIG...kind of creepy knowing it's been there for probably several months...
DeleteSummer may have been short--it always is--so I made sure to pack as much in as I could. I figure winter will give me time to recover!
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. I made it a goal to get outside every day, and was able to that for the most part. Once the marathon comes and goes, I can lighten up the activity (or so I say LOL).
DeleteSummer did go by way too fast, especially since I only went in the ocean once. I didn't think I wanted summer to end but after having a tiny taste of Fall I'm ready for cooler temps.
ReplyDeleteThis really seems like the shortest summer ever...I just hope autumn lasts for awhile so winter doesn't arrive an earlier than necessary.
DeleteI feel you on the quick summer. It was a late start here - I was in long sleeve for an outdoor evening event in June - and is lingering, but I blinked and missed it.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding myself in long sleeves already. Granted, I'm outside in the early hours way before the sunrise, but seriously. It's too soon...
DeleteUnfortunately all my runs have to be after work and turns out that is usually the hottest part of the day! Maybe October will bring us some fall like temps, but if not I'm totally okay with the extended summer ( usually our Octobers are like that anyway).
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are choosing to disregard that hornets nest till the first frost. I am severely allergic to bees and things that sting so I know I would not be able to leave well enough alone and I would probably be making a HUGE mistake by knocking it down somehow. Just the thought of it being there would bother me. However, I will think of this post next time I see a hornets nest and remember to just let it be! -M
I had a lot of friends (local friends, that is) tell me I should call a pest control person to take care of it. Doing a little research, though, told me otherwise. Had I discovered it earlier (before it was so huge), would have been a different story. The fact that their "season" is almost over (and we have had ZERO problems) indicates it's fine to just leave it be for the next few weeks.
Delete