Cheryl Runs to The Sun and Moon.

Down the Kewash Trail

Evening in Westchester

The Weekend is almost over, and Cheryl has been doing a bit of running.  The heat has forced us to become a bit more flexible for our runs.   And by that, I mean:  running shorter but more often.   Basically, we have been running in the morning AND evening.   Which is great for me....  I actually like the evenings better.

Mornings in Muscatine

Down to the Fountain!

That does not mean we skip out on the mornings.   on weekends, we usually head to Muscatine for some water therapy.   Cheryl runs somewhere between 7-10 miles ( depending on heat and fatigue) and then she plays in the fountain there.

Cheryl's New favorite part of running.

The perfect place for a cool-down.

 Since she discovered the fountain, (And now that it is  operational...) Cheryl has been looking forward to going there and frolicking in the water.   It is also always fun to run along the river.

And photo opportunity....

Back to Kewash.

However, we have also been taking a break from Iowa City as of late.   The Kewash Trail has been fun to visit after such a long hiatus. ( basically, we have taken all of this winter and spring off from there.)   So now that summer is upon us... and the berries are out in full swing, we have a renewed interest.

Some recent trail improvements!

We also discovered that they have been making improvements!   Remember that "mud pit" on the other side of West Chester?  

Even Non-skid mats on the ends!

Well, the authorities have decided to pave over that area and make it passable!   They even pit little rubber nubs on the ends to keep people from slipping!   How awesome is that!  I'm now curious if any other improvements have been made as we get closer to Washington.

Chasing Raccons.

And evening rabbits sometimes.

It is also noteworthy that the evening runs provide a new experience from time to time.   Raccoons come out in the twilight.   And the heat is much more tolerable in the evening.

Chasing the Moon as it rises.

Chasing the Sun as it sets.

Sometimes you are treated to a wonderful sun set followed by a moon rising.   Add in fireflies and the evening rabbits and it is just a peaceful time to be out there.  I'm actually looking forward to going back out there tonight.   Maybe a little earlier so we will have time to stop and pick blackberries (they are now out in full force now,  Would hate to miss them!)

Enjoying the cool (-er) scenes of Iowa.

Hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend.  And if you can enjoy the evenings as the sun sets,   all the better!

Training with Trains and Running with Deer. Cheryl's Week in Running.

Sexy summer-like weather.

Cheryl's version of panting.

This Monday started right off with one of the short long runs for Cheryl.   14 miles in Davenport.   Compared to the Twin Cities the temps were much warmer.   Cheryl and I both down-dressed half way through the run.   It was about as nice a day as one could hope for in a Monday after a race.   Cheryl was even feeling frisky and spirited as we trotted along the Mississippi.

Faster than an anchored barge!

Slower than a speeding Diesel Freight Train?

It just would not be Davenport if Cheryl was not racing or chasing a train.   And I managed to capture the action as it happened this time.

Not to say that Cheryl is slow...but she did just run a 10 miler in Minnesota and she had already ran 10 miles in this training run.  Not to mention Trains are made of metal.   And trains are strong!  They burn diesel fuel....which is kind of a cheat if you think about it.    Ah well.... Good things trains do not show up at races....very often.

Colder weather, warmer dress.

The weather dipped down  about 10 degrees the following day and it has been fairly cold ever since.  Today was nice because of the sun, but it was still chilly in the morning.  

Chasing the deer.

Object in camera are closer than they appear!

The highlight of the run was the deer.   Normally we see the token duck, goose, and maybe a blue heron.  Today we were graced with a couple of deer that allowed Cheryl to get close.   How close?   Well,  there was a moment in Iowa City where she could have petted one.  ( That happened twice!) But this was pretty close too.  And I managed to have the camera ready this time.

I'm liking this smart phone for everything but the phone.   I can play music on long runs AND I have a built in camera that is handy for moments like this.   I'm impressed that it did not come out blury or out of frame.  Sometimes I get lucky...hopefully I will be able to tap into that when we go to Boston.

Other than that...I have been working.  Two days in a row!  We both have more hours coming up next month so that will mean less SubNautica time and more time spent earning money.... which is not as much fun.   I have been donating a few hours each day for some Origami,  so perhaps I will post some of those pics in the future.  We shall see

Clocking the time.

Cheryl's 21 Mile Davenport run.

Cold day in Davenport

Hurray for Daylight savings time!   And the fact that the wind and rain and snow held off...  Leaving only the cold to hamper Cheryl's 21 mile training run.

But NO WIND!

I'll cut to the chase....because I'm tired and equally warn out.  Cheryl was successful!  She completed the run with no mishaps or melt downs.  In fact!   She pulled a new one on me today.   She started to sing!

The Mississippi looks like glass!

I've seen Cheryl angry...   I've heard her use language that might scare Drill Sargent!  But I have never seen Cheryl sing before.

Cheryl Singing. 

 It's....  kinda scary.

Creepy...

Now before you wonder why,   it is not because she can't carry a tune.  She never sings at home or in the shower....  Only I do that.   In fact, I'm so good at singing that if they offered a Naked Star Search, I'm sure I would win it!

Successful 21 mile training run!

Go Go Power Cheryl!

But at mile 19.5,  Cheryl started getting all Weird on me and I was thankful that we only had less than 2 miles to go.  I have heard that Marathoners become loopy right before they crash.   Luckily,  the run was almost over and we both survived it unscathed.

How did this phenomenon happen?

Other than that,  it was cold.  Just above freezing for most of the run and never getting above 40 at all.  Without the wind, this is bearable...but still the cold creeps up on you.  Mostly fingers, toes and ears are the parts that scream the loudest.  An unusual picture of an icicle on a small park tree.  The unusual part is that it was the ONLY icicle on the entire tree.  Heck, the only icicle in the entire Park!   The unusual part is it is not immediately evident HOW the icicle formed in the first place.  There was no dripping water above it or rainfall.  How did this icicle form and no other icicles anywhere else?   It was as if someone had intentionally created that one icicle  Very odd.  (Worthy of taking a picture and blogging about it.)

So you are wondering what song Cheryl was singing?   Here it is.  Check it out.

Panera Origami and How a Cat trains YOU!

I know that there are times when I brag that I have taught the cats how to do various tricks, similar to a dog. You know: Roll over, speak, open the door, climb the tree. However, I'm beginning to believe that the cats are actually training me! Case in point: Red the shop cat. He loves to climb trees and from time to time I take him outside so he can let his inner monkey run wild. However, there are times when he climbs some trees that are a little taller than he can handle. That is to say; the lower branches are too far from the ground. Now I KNOW he is not stranded because cats can fall off a 10 story building and survive. But I don't want my favorite cat to get hurt so how do i get him down without serious injury? I have done this before where I hold up his favorite chair and he jumps into it. Now he EXPECTS me to do it! I believe that he gets stuck up those tall trees on purpose and will wait until I bring out the chair. Cheryl finds it entertaining. On a side note, I'm getting better at the frog origami at Panera. The paper that I have been using is pretty good for them and they are fun to make. The Panera employees love them too!