Summer's Final 'fession Session

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...

Care to indulge me? (Thanks!)

Okay first up...brrr! Let me #chillfess that with the recent early-morning biking (and, on occasion, walking), I have had to dress warmer than I would if I were running. The thing is, I didn't even realize the extra layers, long sleeves (or arm warmers), leggings (instead of the usual shorts) were happening on the daily until just this past week (denial?). I guess that's a good thing (?) because it's given me a pseudo phase of acclimation. But sorry, not sorry, I still prefer the tanks and shorts of summer.

With college football back in full swing, our weekends have taken a rather busy turn. Let me just #fatiguefess the long Saturday morning runs, driving, tailgating, extensive walking and several hours of sitting in a football stadium (all on the same day) are not working well. As fun as the entire day is, I find myself nodding off before halftime. I know, I know...first world probs.

Remember those sunflower seeds I'd planted in late June? Just this week, they started blooming! I #flowerfess, initially I was a wee bit disappointed they had not grown as tall as I'd hoped (prior to blooming). That disappointment was brief, though. The fact that any of the seeds germinated, and then bloomed, is quite remarkable considering how late I'd gotten the seeds started. Nine of the sunflowers were successfully transplanted and, currently, five of them are in bloom and the remaining ones are close.

A new thing I've experimented with, this summer, is doing double workouts, usually on Wednesdays. Typically, I do the #5at5 run in the (early) morning, then do the 15-mile hilly bike path ride (12 hours later) after work. This routine has been going on for the past 16 weeks, and I'll #bikefess it here and now, I'm really going to miss this when the outdoor biking season ends. Yes, I can use the stationary bike (indoors), but it's just not the same as conquering those real hills to and from the lake.

Finally, another full moon run happened this week! This was my fifth consecutive run, under the light of the silvery (full) moon. Why-oh-why I had not been doing these is beyond me. Let me #moonfess, I had really been missing out on a fun and unique running excursion (prior to May of this year). While I respect a lot of people would rather hit the sack and not indulge in such an endeavor, I'm looking forward to continuing this monthly ritual for awhile. Maybe it'll be a good distraction to get me through the winter.

Ahh, all better! It feels quite liberating getting all these final summer 'fessions aired. 

So, talk to me...

Any 'fessions, of your own, to disclose? Did Fall arrive with a bang, or has it not yet arrived in your area? Double workout days...yay or no way? Did you catch the full moon?

 I'm  linking this with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions link-up.

I'm also linking this with Michelle, Renee, Darlene, Jenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.

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