Ahhh, here we are again...
Time to gather for some chatter. Time to share a few stories. Time to reflect on the past few weeks. And time to enjoy a cup of whatever beverage you so choose.
It's always fun to get together and share some conversation, laughs and an occasional hug.
It's true. I'm a hopeless sunrise worshipper.
I'm also an art geek, so capturing the sunrise is something I thoroughly enjoy doing (pretty much on the daily). I'm also an early-riser, so this all works well with my lifestyle. Besides, sleep is overrated LOL.
They say turnabout is fair play, but Momma N didn't want to play nice this week.
I was dreading the end of summer, so I was already in a blah kind of emotional state. Suffice it to say I was not the least bit amused when the frigid fall-like weather arrived a day early. Nor did I appreciate the sudden plummet in temps and upswing of wind.
Alas, I did live to tell about it (or you wouldn't be reading this LOL). Just because I can handle the crazy Iowa weather doesn't mean I have to love it. But, I refuse to let it dictate my livelihood. Or something like that...
We all knew this was going to happen.
You know the drill...The solstice arrives, and from there on out, the days start getting shorter. The beautiful sunrise makes its appearance later and later. The early morning runs get cooler and darker. And, those bike rides start to feel even more windy.
Summer ends, and Fall begins. Don't get me wrong, it's not ALL bad, but it's my least favorite change-of-season. Why? Because, at least in Iowa, it happens practically overnight and then ushers in Winter a very short while later.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. With Summer coming to a close, I have a few 'fessions to bring to the forefront...
This was a week of strategy.
I found myself, numerous times, giving in to spontaneity. Having a plan of action, albeit whimsical, was necessary - on the daily - to keep things (somewhat) functional and on track. At least that's what I kept telling myself.
It's okay to try new things; actually it's great to do so.
It's also okay to try doing "old" things in a new way.
Case in point, there are a few new and/or different things that I've been doing in my little world of fitness. They've been a little scary, and I did have some doubt how things would play out. In retrospect, though, these things weren't as tough as anticipated. And, I came away much stronger, physically and emotionally, for the challenge of doing them..
In case you haven't heard, my much anticipated marathon bit the dust (well, sort of).
As much as I was looking forward to the Air Force Marathon, I'm totally at peace with NOT running it. It was to be my 10th marathon, and it may still be (someday), but for now it's off the table and deleted from my 2021 calendar.
Actually, I have my eyes towards a Fall full of care-free fun (did you try to say that three times, really fast?).
Well, this definitely isn't the taper I had in mind.
Had the Air Force Marathon not gone virtual, I would be basking in my second week of 26.2 taper bliss. Alas, with the big Cy-Hawk football game (the Iowa State Cyclones vs. the University of Iowa Hawkeyes) on deck for Saturday, this week also would be full of black and gold bliss...so that's what I chose to focus on instead.
So how did that work for me? In two words: quite well!
Where did my summer go?
Apparently, Momma N is in a much bigger hurry to shut-down the summer season than I am. The days are getting markably shorter, and my dear sunrise is arriving later and later each morning. Alas, I'm determined to get outside everyday and embrace what's left of summer.
That's the plan, and it kept me smiling most of the week.
