Or maybe I should have written, “Old/New Friends.” That’s what it feels like when you finally get to meet some of the bloggers that you have read, responded, shared, commiserated with, over the years. Definitely New/Old Friends.
Anyway, since I’m saving my recipe this week for tomorrow (you need to check it out though, it’s pretty amazing), I thought I’d share my weekly running recap and some fun and photos from the past week. Not, with the exception of that new/old friend thing, that it’s been all that exciting, but I have some good pictures! Here’s a teaser for Tuesday’s recipe:
Weekly Running Recap
After my race last weekend, I took a day off on Monday, knowing that on Tuesday I’d be running long with Alan. Long these days is around eight to nine miles. I have to admit that I’ve had a hard time increasing my mileage. Yeah, I can tell myself that it’s the summer and the heat, which is all true, but it does tend to concern you when it goes on for months.
After saying all that, I had a great run! Of course I love running with Alan, but it was more than just that. The weather was cool and I actually felt strong! We ran nine miles. Okay, 10 miler, I’m coming for you!
If my running seems pretty random lately that’s because it is. Aside from the Tram Road Race (my anniversary run) at the end of the month I don’t really have a goal race. I’m signed up for Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas in November, but I’m not sure I want to go back so soon.
I also have my eye on the Malibu Half Marathon, which is on November 5. Alan is the announcer and the race is sold out, so I’m hoping he can pull a few strings for me. In spite of going there every year while Alan works, I have never run the race. It’s a beautiful run, along the Malibu coast, so my fingers are crossed!
That is also my birthday weekend and we were planning on seeing Bob Seger on Saturday, but he has been having some back or neck problems I guess and had to postpone his tour. I’m a huge Seger fan and hope he gets better soon. So I guess I can run the half marathon in his honor instead. Plus I’ll be in a new age group, so that’s always fun.
So anyway, I’m gradually increasing my mileage, until now without a real goal. Well, except for the Tram Road Challenge, which is a 3.7 mile run straight up a mountain. I did okay last year, but I’d like to do better, so I’ve been doing some tempo runs and hill repeats, and this week I created a fun workout that should help.
Friday was an easy three mile recovery run. I’m enjoying these cool temperatures so much I have to remind myself that I need these easy, short runs and that I’m not a spring chicken anymore!
Finally, let’s talk about that new/old friend thing. If you’re a blogger, or if you’re active on social media, you know what I mean about having friends that you never met. If you follow their blogs, or their posts on Instagram, you start to feel like you know the author, especially if you have things in common and the connection goes both ways. I’ve been fortunate over the years to meet many of my favorite bloggers, sometimes at races, but mostly at my annual trek to Blogfest.
I first “met” Wendy a few years ago. I commented on one of her blog posts because I could really empathize with some issues she was having with her oldest son. Since then we’ve been blogging friends. We’re close to the same age (I get to say that because I’m the older one), we’re both runners, and both dealing with some of the same issues. Wendy was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis last year and has become such a warrior in her fight against the disease.
Anyway, when she told me she was coming to the desert for a weekend with her sister, I was really excited to have a chance to finally meet her in real life. She was having an RA flare, so we decided to meet up for a hike instead of a run.
Can you say awesome and amazing? I had a great time with Wendy and her sister. We had a few adventures in our hike (like getting sort of lost and doing some unplanned rock climbing, but eventually making it to the perfect viewpoint of the desert. Here are a couple more photos that didn’t make it to the Instagram post.
I can’t wait until Wendy comes back to the desert because I have a lot more trails I want to show here, including the one that Alan and I ran on Sunday.
So maybe that silly photo doesn’t show my desert to it’s best advantage, but this little video does. This one’s for you, Wendy.
So, how was your week? Any travel, fun, or new/old friends?
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
So jealous that you and Wendy got to hang out! Sounds like you had a blast. Well the Malibu race is a no brainer you gotta do it!
I can’t wait to come back and conquer that trail! Or maybe some others. Thanks for the company on the hike. It was great meeting you IRL and yes, I felt like we were old friends! <3