where all i thought i knew comes undone

I love fall!  I think I may have said or at least expressed that already.  Wait until spring. . .  then I’ll be telling you how much I like spring.  *smile*  The weather was perfect for a walk, though.  I guess that’s what has me excited about fall.  The mid 50° range is wonderful for a walk through the park.

I found a Land’s End fleece jacket at the little Rotary Club thrift store near here for $8.  I didn’t have enough money to get it when I saw it.  I hope it’s not gone before I get back there; I will be sorely disappointed.  It is a little big but I think it will be perfect for walking.

Temp: 57° / Sunny
Time: 1:25 / 15:01 avg pace / 3.99 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 5.75 mi / Monthly: 44.05 mi / YTD: 217.5 mi

I’d already done my power walk for the day, but later decided I really needed to get out and have my time alone — just me and my thoughts.  Well, father’s thoughts to me / in me also. . .  but just time to reflect a little.  I walked to the quilt store and picked up 2 FQs.  I really need to try to get there with more time to spare before closing time.  I would really like to spend some time browsing the beautiful quilt collection that the owner has on display; but I digress.  I decided to head over to the prayer tower at ORU after I left the quilt shop and spend some time there in the gardens around the tower.  It was such a gorgeous afternoon!  All that to say, I’m logging in an additional 2.3 miles for today.

Daily: 6.3 mi / Monthly: 38.3 mi / YTD: 211.75 mi

Yesterday morning it was raining so I couldn’t go out walking. This morning was nippy. Yes, it was great. Fall is finally here, I think. Not really sure what fall is like as the norm as it’s my first fall here. Today I don’t think we’re even suppose to make 70° as a high. My youngest daughter tells me, though, that they’ve been having fall in Montana since August! Hmm, that might be too much fall for me.

Temp: 59° / Sunny / Breezy
Time: 1:00 / 15:22 avg pace / 3.91 mph
Route: 4 mile River Park trail
Daily: 4 mi / Monthly: 36 mi / YTD: 209.45 mi

I seem to be stuck at the 15 minute mile pace.  To have come this far in what seems like a short amount of time is good.  I’m okay with it.  *smile*

Today I was singing to myself my mash-up of Phil Wickham songs.  I always mix up his lyrics to different songs–not on purpose, though.  I guess I like certain phrases from some songs and just manage to mix them all up together.  Today I was singing parts from Phil’s “Mystery.”  I substitute “dance” for “live” at times though.

I want to hear the thunder of who You are
To be captured inside the wonder of who You are
I want to live and I want to breathe
To search out Your heart and all of Your mystery. . .

[sigh]  Yes, the cry of my heart.  Let me dance, father.

Temp: 68° / Cloudy / Breezy
Time: 0:59 / 15:14 avg pace / 3.94 mph
Route: 4 mile River Park trail
Daily: 4 mi / Monthly: 32. mi / YTD: 205.45 mi

There were a *lot* of runners out today.  Perhaps gearing up for the marathon that’s about a month away?  I have thought about entering the quarter marathon as a walker which is doable for me; but there’s the money for the entry fee that’s not so doable at the moment.  Maybe next year. . .  There were about a half dozen power walkers out there, too.  It makes me feel a little less like a lone ranger when there are a few other aerobic walkers on the trail.  Oh, then there was the “biker dude” who actually said, “Good morning!” on his way by.  Those guys — the professional-racer-looking types — hardly ever say anything more than “on the left” when they are coming up behind you.  They are *serious* on the trail.  It was nice to be greeted by one who was obviously *enjoying* the day and the trail.  *smile*

[edit: to add mileage for trip to grocery store]

Temp: 69° / Sunny / Breezy
Time: 1:27 / 15:19 avg pace / 3.92 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 6.75 mi / Monthly: 28.0 mi / YTD: 201.45 mi

I thought this morning’s walk might not be enjoyable when I first started out, but I have to say that the wonderful fall weather makes the power walk glorious!

[edit: mileage includes a mile for trip to store for groceries later in the day. . .]

Temp: 66° / Sunny
Time: 1:26 / 15:04 avg pace / 3.98 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 6.75 mi / Monthly: 21.25 mi / YTD: 194.7 mi

Even though I have no rain gear, I decided not to let that stop me from going for my power walk today as it was threatening to rain.  I decided to exercise some dogged-determination — words that father had spoken to me recently.  *smile*  It started to sprinkle by the time I got to my starting point for marking my mileage but I kept going.  By the time I got back home, it was raining pretty good (and I was pretty wet), but going out for the walk had been worth it. . .  On the way to the first mile mark, I spotted a turtle on the edge of the pavement.  On the way back, I was thinking about seeing the turtle and was reminded how a turtle is a symbol of dogged-determination.  Slow and steady wins the race and all that.  *smile*  Thank you, father, for continuing to reveal yourself to me and for today’s encouragement.

Temp: 68° / Rainy
Time: 0:30 / 15:16 avg pace / 3.92 mph
Route: 2 mile River Park trail
Daily: 2 mi / Monthly: 14.5 mi / YTD: 187.95

Update to add mileage for trip to grocery store

Daily: 1mi / Monthly: 12.5 mi / YTD: 185.95 mi

I am enjoying this weather immensely for walking!  I’ve noticed that they are marking the trail after 71st St. where power lines and such are located.  I’m assuming that means that they will soon be working on the portion of the trail that makes up the middle of my walks.  I will have to map out more alternate routes.  I’ve seen up farther north on the trail where it’s new.  It’s nice–wider and looks to be not just asphalt but the sort of rubberized surface material they used on the walking paths in Las Vegas parks.  Not sure, I could be wrong as I haven’t gotten an up close look. . .  Either way it will be nice to have wider space and new pavement to walk on when the refurbished trail is completed.

Temp: 66° / Cloudy / Cool breeze
Time: 1:26 / 15:10 avg pace / 3.96 mph
Route: 5.75 mile River Park trail
Daily: 5.75 mi / Monthly: 11.5 mi / YTD: 184.95