16 miles: Let the Ragnar training begin!

A couple of weeks ago I found myself voluntarily joining a 6-person ultra relay team running the 200-mile Ragnar event from Winona, Minnesota, to Minneapolis. Obviously still feeling the high from my last marathon, I kinda overlooked the fact this occurs in AUGUST! It tends to get a little hot in August...and I tend get a little cranky and ornery and very weary of the heat by August. Soooo my mission to make friends with the summer sun began today. Despite forgetting my Garmin and utilizing the half mile and mile markers along the trail, I hung in there for 14 of today's 16 miles along the Duck Creek Trail in Davenport before finally succumbing at 12:25 p.m. Dripping, I climbed in the car, cranked up the AC and drove home to run the last 2 on Newmann.

Perfect spot for a picnic along Duck Creek, but nary a chicken leg to be found.

I was impressed with the speed with which so many runners took to the path

today! I had to keep reminding myself, "Be the turtle. BE THE TURTLE!"

All along the trail, you get peaks at the water running along.

I was very impressed with how busy the trail was. Oodles of bikers and runners

and walkers, but also many families! This dad had his daughter in a stroller

and their dog on a leash.

 The water looked so cool and inviting!

Close to my turnaround, Emmis Golf Course.

Fore!

Coming back from Emmis Golf Course, I spotted a garbage can where I could

dump my gel packet. As I ducked under some tree limbs, I spotted this

most patriotic little birdhouse nestled in the tree. Cute!

A big benefit of running in this area is the cover. If I'd run at home, I'd have sizzled!

Every so often a person can spot little renegade dirt paths off the trail proper. 

This one looks like it's just a couple of feet up a tiny hill and back onto the trail, 

but looks can be deceiving. During the return  leg, I opted to follow the dirt part 

and found you could go left (north) through a bunch of weeds.

It was tempting, but I went right and headed back onto the trail.

I thought the bumps and gnarls on this trunk was pretty cool!

About a quarter mile east of the Eastern Ave. trail access is an area of wildflowers

that has grown so much in the last 5 weeks since I last run down here. Lots of blooms!

The ducks were chilling under bridges near the water 'cause they're smart!

Old trees are so awesome! Just look at the generous canopy this one gives.

I'm pretty darn lucky to enjoy such a view from the treadmill . . .

While I may ruefully call him Newmann . . . I have to admit he treats

me pretty darn good. Have a great week all!!!

Marty's view of a long run-Illinois Marathon

While I was off running today's 4th Annual Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon, my husband decided to do his version on my long run! Enjoy!

Oy to the vey! Dropped my bib. I may have cried a little bit . . .

After committing that cardinal sin of NOT attaching my bib to my shirt,

when we originally arrived at Corral F, I'd dropped my bib!!! Miraculously,

we found it on the ground back by the start line. Huge "WHEW!"

Despite me getting tired of Marty's "over documentation," I was super

impressed with how much this marathon has grown in the last year!

Getting pensive and ready to go! Temps were in the high 40s/low 50s. Had

feared rain, but was dry and cloudy with a great breeze. I couldn't 

have asked for more AWESOME running weather.

While I ran, Marty hunted down some breakfast and spotted this great bakery!

Though he went on about the tasty grub, I'm thinking that coffee looks heavenly!

Following breakfast Hubs found the cutest little used book shop. "You would've

loved this place," he said. It's best I ran because I never make good decisions

in a book shop. The cuter the shop, the bigger the bill!

A gorgeous array of iris . . . I remember spotting this garden while running.

Funny that we both saw this, yet missed each other on the route!

I had remarked yesterday that I couldn't recall the route passing by the race's

namesake medical site. Hubs proved that we did, in fact, pass it.

The old and the new . . .

With no real time goal other than hoping for a sub 4:45, I'm amazed Marty

was present for my 4:32:21 finish! Props to the husband!

Now . . . to register for my first 50k! =)

10 and ready! Final LR

Due to Kid1 having a birthday slumber party on Friday, I didn't have the energy to log my final Long Run until today. I opted to hit the Davenport Bike Trail and enjoyed beautiful blue skies and seeing many other runners as well as walkers and bikers! Enjoy!

The one nice thing about city "wild" life is they stay put, 

to a degree, when you approach!

Couldn't get over the beautiful sky!

View from the first bridge spanning Duck Creek.

Love the vines creeping up these trees...

Not sure what this poster was for, but I thought it was sweet.

Just west of the access off Marquette is this pretty little waterfall.

After turning around and heading back east over Marquette and by

Cornbelt Running Club headquarters, I passed under Brady Street.  

As the path edged back up, there was this gorgeous spray of Bridal Veil.

Several buffer areas have been established with wild flowers. I spent several

minutes hanging out in one near a frisbee golf course.

Lovely...

Lots and lots of beautiful butterflies were out today!

Near the end, I got to enjoy the company of this Mallard Duck.

I love his reflection...

...then he saw me!

Final gorgeous stretch...

13 days & 15 miles until Illinois Marathon

Have had a week of lethargy and fatigue. Not sure what's gone on other than it felt like I lost my mojo. Whether it's back of not, I felt pretty ok out there today. With crazy bad weather swirling all about, Smarty Marty dropped me 13 miles from home so I could utilize the big winds out of the south to blow me home. With a request to come find me if I wasn't back by a certain time (I didn't feel like carrying the extra pack for my phone), he wished me luck and left me at Kildeer County Park east of DeWitt. 

When I started, temps were in the 70s with a hazy sun. Given the rain we received during last night's big thunderstorms, it was pretty dang humid and the first couple miles were tough, but by Mile 3, the clouds rolled in, the wind picked up and it felt much cooler. It was a pretty smooth, straight shot from Kildeer to Charlotte via County Hwy Z24/330th Ave. With rain and pictures delaying me, Marty went on search and rescue. Somehow we missed each other and he found me a half mile from home. 

I opted to finish the final 2.5 on the treadmill, but had to power walk it because of my sore, dying toenail. Fortunately this is the only real pain I felt today! Hammies were good, hips were good and until I changed shoes, toes were good! Have a great week everyone!

 These aren't the old brick/stone silos, but they're still old school and I likey!

I've been very impressed with whoever bought this farm. The house, which was in pretty 

tough shape, was basically stripped down to the studs and completely renovated. 

It probably would've been easier to demolish and rebuild, but they opted to honor 

its "good bones," which I think is pretty cool. (I'll be sure to run by the home when it's 

finished to post a pic.)  If they're able to save this barn I'll be uber impressed. 

Note the far right corner. Yep, that's field you see through the crumbling foundation.

A few years ago, I began to see brush and trees being cleared from waterways.

Initially I was totally pissed and could only see it through the emotional lens

of increased erosion and decreased filtering. But today? It still saddens me, but

how can I blame landowners? With ground and corn prices so high, why wouldn't they 

try to get as much possible land into production. I don't agree with it and I still worry

about the environmental impact, but I understand a little more.

More brush is cleared.

I found this path, lined with the 3 augers, appealing.

A HUGE pile of brush recently cleared.

Enough of the depressing, check out these awesome shoulders!

Yes, I know it's the shell of an old milk weed, but it's pretty!

I know, another weed, but it's color! On a gray day like today?

I'll take what I can get!

Never under estimate the humor of neighbors. I'm not sure who put this

Energizer Bunny in the field, but it was pretty hilarious around the halfway point!

Nestled in the bottom of a valley, a mother feeds her new calf.

I love how 330th Ave. ribbons and rolls along.

Old barns and sheds hide back among some tree-covered hills.

More of those gorgeous hills.

For Bonnie, a lover of windmills...

A pretty little pond...

My first of two two-pony spotings!

Rossiter Cemetery, at the corner of 330th Ave and 163rd St., is always

so well-manicured and lovingly maintained. Hats off to 'em!

At the base of the Charlotte water tower.

Outside the Charlotte Fire Station is a new memorial garden.

The Old Mill Nature Trail is a nice little path along the city park.

The Old Mill Bridge spans Deep Creek. I confess, I don't know the name

of the other waterway that's joining Deep Creek.

A fun little bridge along Old Mill Nature Trail.

The outside of Old Mill Bridge.

Along the backroad west out of Charlotte is a great little farm with cows & horses.

I can't help it, I like taking pictures of cows!

Earlier this morning I spotted these two ripping it down the hill. They were much

more relaxed this afternoon. The flies have been terrible so it's no wonder the masks.

My shining Cyclone! xo