Sunday Morning Long Run.

Running 14 miles. 

 14 miles today!  That is the longest distance we have ever run in one setting so far this year.   That means... basically,  So far...  2020 has SUCKED as far as distance running.  ( And other things... )  Yes, 2020 will go down in history as a major dud year.   But at least we managed to get back on the ropes again.. if only for a brief moment.

At the 7 mile mark.

So why run so long now, at this time of year.   Well....   Normally, this is the time everyone schedules their Marathons or half-marathons because the weather is cool and the winter is approaching.   Mostly it is he cooler weather.   Those summer runs are killer!  Even the short little 5ks and 10Ks.  

The Kewash Trail today. 

Chilly temps! At 
least there is no rain. 

The weather was certainly cooler this morning.   36 degrees was fairly consistent.   You know it is close to "Perfect running weather" when you can see your breath but you can not see any snow on the ground.   We ran the Kewash trail all the way to Keota from Westchester. ( 7 miles one way)   Cheryl was very happy to hit the half way point. 

10 point buck running
across the field. ( see the tail?) 

Time to turn around
and face the wind!

On the way there, We were almost run over by a 10 point buck!   We saw him two days ago around the same area.  Last time, he bolted far ahead of us and I did not have much of an opportunity to take his picture.   Today, however,  he burst out right in front of us and I fumbled with the phone trying to capture him before he got too far out into the field.  I was not fast enough,  obviously. 

A Single Shaggy Cap. 

The wind was in our face on the way back, but by that time,  we were both plenty hot and could use the refreshing breeze.   I even managed to capture a little fall color with the overcast skies providing the right lighting.  

It's fresh!  Perhaps the last 
of the year? 

In all,  14 miles!  Done.   Cheryl has scheduled a half marathon in Kansas City two weeks from now.  Every time she sees a Political Rally or "Peaceful Protest"   she wonders why she can not run a race.   I can understand.   We have been running,  but have not been able to race for all but the very beginning of the year. ( New Years Dash!  Where,  interestingly enough,  we Probably GOT the stupid Covid virus then!)   But Kansas City is having a 'Long View' lake run half marathon...  with no crazy rules or starts, or finishes, or conditions... 

 So I may have to wear a face covering, but I probably will anyway that late in the year due to the cold,  not due to the virus.  And I can avoid the crowds as a Spectator.  But Cheryl will be forced to run with "people" where Social Distancing is hard... Because everyone is Running! Usually in the same direction.  And everyone, even without a pandemic, are trying to put as much "distance" between themselves and the other runners as humanly possible.  All the while,  others are trying to catch up to them.   So you see,   All those rules don't really apply to running. 

Some fall Color. 

So the rest of the day will be spent relaxing, and trying to recover for tomorrow.  I'm sure there will be a surplus of stockings after the weekend.   And unlike last weekend,  we are not going to try to whittle down the job by doing the easy ones today.    Cheryl says we should probably take a day off from running tomorrow anyway, so that will give us a little extra time to finish everything.   We shall see how things go.   In the mean time,  Enjoy that cooler air.   They are predicting more snow mid week this coming week.   I hope it is not much so we can continue to run and bike at the trail as long as possible.  Thanks for stopping in!  And have a great weekend.