Bliss

Yesterday I did my normal roll out of bed about 4 am and start getting ready for a run routine, but with my first glance outside I saw the sky light up.  I am a little crazy sometimes about getting in my run, but not crazy enough to run with lightning.  I went to my morning staff meeting at work and then took the kids up to my Grandma's house.

The weather was AMAZING.  Late July and at the time I started my run from my Grandma's house it was 60 degrees, with a slight breeze and an overcast sky.  Heavenly.

I was so excited to do this run.  Not only was the weather divine, but I haven't done a run above my Grandma's house since I strained my quad.  Nothing but wide open spaces up there.  There was a risk of running into some combines, and grain trucks but since it had rained the night before they were taking a break.  Heavenly.

I left the road to avoid two bulls who were waiting at a gate right in my path. This added a considerable amount of hills, but I wrote it off as great Ragnar Colorado training.

Love that it is nearly August and the hills still have so much green in them.
The run was pretty slow considering the off trail/hilly nature and I didn't want to stress my quad out.  It did start to feel a little tired so I didn't go back the way I came.
Amber waves of grain, these ones looked like they were next to go.
Just guessing by the combines lined up waiting for things to dry out a little.
Do you suppose I stuck out like a sore thumb out there?  All this bright pink doesn't exactly blend into my surrounding.  I bought this tank to match my shoes.  Tell me you do that too sometimes.
This grass was so tall it beat the crap out of my thighs as I ran through it.  The cows looked pretty happy in it though.  I could have stayed on the road, but this was the way back and where the bulls were, still on the road so I made a wide path around them.
One more picture.. I really only include this one because of the story that goes with it.

  I ran through this field for over a mile and kept hearing a faint snap crackle kind of sound.  So I finally stopped and just listened.  It was like sitting surrounded by a field full of rice crispies with milk.  It must have been the cut stalks of wheat brushing against each other in the breeze or something.  It was really cool to listen to. 

That was 9.75 miles of heaven.  I was going to go for an even ten, but decided all the hills I did justified not doing another quarter of a mile, besides my daughter ran out to meet me.  She was so excited to see me.  While I was out running she learned to ride a bike with no training wheels and couldn't wait to show me. Love that girl.

Anyone else have a great run yesterday?  I think I am still on an endorphin high looking at these pictures.