BAM......that's how quickly July 4th came and went!!!
It's a day I look forward to all year long. . . first the parade that features lots of candy tossing for the youngin's to scramble for and many a vintage car for the adults to drool over.
If it's an election year, we'll see lots of politicians marching along, too, . . . . pressing the flesh.
There's the occasional pretty fun float. . .like this blow up eagle!
The Shriners participation is a given!!!
Following the parade . . . we attend a wonderful picnic!
After a few hours of sun and food and fun. . . it's time to head home and crash until the neighbors start shooting off their fireworks. At that point I head out to the front porch and enjoy the ones that shoot high into the sky and result in colorful displays, even if just for a few seconds.
On Monday morning, I headed out for my first solo run in quite awhile. I love running with my friends, but sometimes, it feels great to just be by myself for a few minutes.
On that day, I'd hoped to totally run a 5K distance with no walk breaks. Since Karen and I have been training for a fall 1/2 marathon using run/walk intervals ( 3 min. running and 1 min. walking) we'd put the total running of 5Ks on the back burner. When that happens, it's hard for me to get that level of stamina back.
Anyway, my first mistake was thinking I could go out and totally run that distance. . .the second mistake was starting out too late. By the time I hit the streets in our neighborhood it was already 7 a.m. and HOT!!
I ran the first mile, which included two biggish hills (3rd mistake. . .should've just concentrated on flat areas for the first time to totally run the 5K distance). At the top of the 2nd hill I'd hit the 1 mile mark....and a wall! I stopped and drank water and walked a tenth of a mile, then started again. I think I took 3 more walk breaks during the last two miles.
The picture below is from the top of another challenging hill. . .a spot I always look forward to reaching on my route cuz it's our church steeple. On Monday morning I decided to skip running that hill. . .I walked it. I've learned, over the last 5 years of running, that it's OK to give myself permission to do what my body says I need. At that time it didn't need the challenge of a fourth hill. . .three hills were plenty! :)
On Wednesday evening, our little running group met. The weather has been soooooo wet lately that our normal running venue was pretty sloppy wet (most of the surface there is crushed chat) that day. We switched over to the asphalt/concrete route of the Bass Pro Trail.
The clouds looked threatening the whole time out, but the rain held off. Karen and I decided to shoot for another non-stop 5K attempt. This time, it happened (mostly...I had to walk a few steps at mile 2 to sip some water).
It felt awesome to be able to do that again! That is now a goal for each week....totally run the 5K distance at least once. On the weekends we will continue to do our "long" runs as we increase our distance in preparation for the 1/2. Right now our plan is to run it with 3/1 intervals.
Wednesday was also another big day!! Our Grand Boy #1 turned 6 years old!!
His mom made him yummy pancakes for breakfast and served them up on the "You Are Special Plate". . .complete with berries, whipped cream and a candle!!
This morning (Friday), Karen and I were back at running again!!
Our goal was to do 7 miles with 3/1 intervals!! We also tried something a little different. . .we ran the first 1/2 mile, then started our run/walk intervals.
As it turned out, our half way mark of 3 1/2 miles was where the south trail ends right now since a lot of road work is being done in that area.
We passed the time by counting bunnies (19 today) and enjoying the wonderful wildflowers!! We started out at 5:30 a.m.. . . .such a great time of the day for running in the summer. The temps were in the 60s and the sun was just coming up.
On Thursday, one of our kind neighbors brought us a basket of fresh picked peaches!! They ususally head to Lexington, MO, for these. I'm assuming that's where these were purchased.
THE STONE RABBIT is anxiously waiting til they reach the "perfect" ripening stage! Right now they are pretty hard, but before long they will be sooooooo yummy!
Their "peach" color is sorta "pinkish". . .right? :)
Hope you had a "peachy" week. . .full of many blessings and very few bumps in the road!
Please visit Beverly, at HOW SWEET THE SOUND, for a long list of other bloggers who are ready with their weekly shares!!
HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!
DANA
Good for you. I need to get back into some form of daily exercise, but it is hard.
Posted by: LaVoice | July 10, 2015 at 12:19 PM
Wow! Good for you! Those peaches look great, too.
HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
Blessings,
Sarah
Posted by: Mrs. Sarah Coller | July 10, 2015 at 05:52 PM
Your 4th of July parade looks like great fun! We don't have them here anymore and I miss them. The peaches look so yummy and I would love to have some of your rain come our way!
Have a terrific weekend,
Robin
Posted by: RobinfromCA | July 10, 2015 at 10:38 PM
Hi Dana, Thank you so much for your many well wishes and prayers for Bill. He is improving each day. He says thank you too.
The fourth did fly by but I did manage to hang our banners on the fireplace. Not much celebrating for us this Independence Day. Your day sounds like great fun. Next year will be better for us.
Your running challenges are daunting. I agree, walking can be great too. My sister and I are walking 3 miles a day in front of our TV. Leslie Sansone is very challenging. I have lost inches more then pounds. That is ok with me.
Happy pink Sat.
Love,
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne, backyard neighbor | July 11, 2015 at 09:20 AM
Wow, look at those great parade floats. I unfortunately didn't get to our neighborhood parade this year. ;-(
Counting bunnies! I like that idea. Happy Birthday to that cute guy! Wow, 6 years old. That's a wonderful year!
Posted by: Sarah | July 11, 2015 at 09:49 AM