Harvest

It's that harvest time of year ... and for that I'm thankful. The temperatures here in the valley have moderated and the weather is now beautiful. It went from 100 degrees to 70 in just a week, totally skipping the 80s. But now this week we're back in the 80s. Perfect. The windows can be open. It's delightful to be outdoors. Just wonderful.

Harvest time also brought the Harvest Run on October 6. I was a last-minute, almost, race director for this cross-country 5K in Cutler Park here in Visalia. It's a nice park on the far NE side of town. We had a nice turnout ... 131 total registrations for the 5K and 1 mile, up quite a bit from last year. Great food (thank you Applebees for the breakfast burritos, Pro Citrus Network for the oranges, Raisin' Dough for the cookies, Sequoia Beverage for energy drinks/tea, Noah water for the bottled water). And we purchased pumpkin pie. It was a veritable feast! Or at least a very nice post-5k breakfast! My volunteers were outstanding, as usual, so the race went off without a hitch. Thank you all that helped, ran and donated!

Marisol and Isabella at Lifestyles taking registrations

Our beautiful cut out cookies

Post-race food and fun

Winner of the women's race

Finish line

They're (almost) off!

The winner, in 16:53

The following (last) week was pretty quiet. I got in LOTS of running miles, since I did my long runs on Sunday and the following Saturday. 92 miles total. Whew. Unofficially tapering for Two Cities Marathon in Fresno on November 4. I also signed up for Sacramento/CIM which is December 2. You have through today (the 15th) to sign up with a qualifying time. I'm doing a 10-mile trail run (Coyote Ridge Trail, just north of San Francisco) on 12/8. And the Death Valley marathon on February 2. I just have to stay healthy and uninjured.

Friday I organized a little 50th birthday dinner at Alejandro's for Michele and Sheri. 18 people showed up, which was great. A fun evening!

This last Saturday brought a trip to the Big Fresno Fair. What a wonderful county fair. Really nice grounds, lots of live music, fair food everywhere. :-)

Don't worry...I just ate a small fraction of this huge HALF order of curly fries. They were over-fried, so I didn't much care for them. I allow myself to eat whatever I want after a long run and I'd run 21 that morning (a triple trip up Rocky Hill) so I indulged in these fries and a Cow Pie (ice cream on a flat waffle). MUCH preferred the cow pie.

Our friend Larry got us: free premium parking, free admission, a blackberry margarita, and a free entry into the horse races. I'd never seen a horse race before, so it was fun. We also got to have our picture taken in the winner's circle. Guess it helps to have friends in high places. Or at least friends on the fair board. :-)

The produce here is amazing. Mostly a different selection from MN, though. Lots of citrus and grapes. More varietes of grapes than I ever knew existed.

Yesterday, I finished my book club selection for November, when the club will meet here. Anna Quindlen's Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. I enjoyed it, and I think there will be plenty to talk about.

Well, I guess that's all I know for now. Morning, which will find us doing 9 x 800 on the track, will come quickly.

Good night ....