Cross-Training

I finished about a month's worth of bike commuting to work. I think this was good in terms of building my leg strength and helping my knees track better. Yesterday's 13 mile run was the longest I've run non-stop in quite some time and I did it at a pace that was about 1 minute/mile faster than the last time I ran anything close to this distance.
Less than two months from the Portland Marathon, I still feel very nervous about whether or not I can make it...make it running that is. I know I can do a combo walk/run thing but I want to jog the entire route.
Time will tell.

43 degrees
cloudy
very light wind out of the SW
Surface partially wet from overnight rains
Chose not to ride this morning on account of getting soaked on yesterday's ride home. Shoes were still wet this morning. Will most likely try again tomorrow.

First Commute in October

Temperature - 40 degrees
Winds - Calm
Fog forming in many areas...very moist air.
Passed by only three cars the entire trip. Struggled on the Devine hill. Recovered well though.
Trip time - 55 min
Notes - Hands and toes cold. New packs held to the rack very well. Difficult to get in and out of. Need to figure out easier way to handle tools, work clothes, food, etc.

crickets

Through the window I can hear the sound of crickets, a basketball bouncing and the garbled chatter of a couple of young boys.

A breeze passes through the trees every now and then and, in the distance, I can hear the sound of sirens.

My home is too warm for sleep right now. The summer, much anticipated a few months ago, is welcome to leave in exchange for the rich colors and cool temps of Fall.

On the bike ride in to work a few days ago, I felt a chill that felt unfamiliar for a very brief moment and then the feel changed to that of being with an old friend. The air, a bit more moist than normal carried a very faint odor of decaying leaves...memories of jumping, arms open wide, into a big pile of leaves filled my mind.

I'll miss the crickets when they go wherever they go for the cooler seasons. I'll welcome all the senses can sense in their place.

Walking

Walking towards his shadow. Towards the garage.

Willows dangling, swaying.

Shop broom, logging boots

miniature maple showing a hint of red

Black dog and unopened wedding gifts

that's a seventh chord

there's no mistaking that sound.

Neighborhood

A cup of coffee. The sound of a neighbor's exhaust pipe...coming home. I can hear the chains rubbing the cogs as the sun gets pulled into the sky.

Frustration from a May-December relationship turned on its head. How could she have become so sick?

There's a new heartbeat about to begin. It's making her sick...but that's alright.

Nobody ever really led me to believe things would be any different. Somehow everything balances out.

Beginning

Day two of the bike commute across the Glenn Jackson bridge. The weather has been nice. I can hardly wait for the water laden air of Fall.
My legs are tired. More tired than they've been in quite a while. It's probably a combination of too little sleep, too much exercise and whatever else I can't think of right now.
It's about 2.5 miles across the bridge. Cars race by on either side of the bike path. It's noisey. It's always windy coming home. The wind blows straight in my face so I fight it every time I ride.
Last week on the ride across the bridge I spied a sleeping bag in the northbound lanes. There was also a brown metal cooler perfectly positioned between two lanes just before rush hour. I called 911 to report it.
Each day it seems I get closer to spreading the distance between me and the need of a car. It's getting easier and every day I ride proves it to be more of an option.
I'm lucky to be able to ride.