Hello everyone and happy Sunday!  I hope your days are getting spookier as we approach the 31st!  Yes, I’m still a kid at heart.  I love this season, it’s just one awesomeness after the another.  At least that is my perspective.  I have already got my Halloween cards out and have brought in jack-o-lantern cookies to the office.  I was good this year and have only bought two Fall baking magazines.  It’s tempting for me to walk by the magazine stands and not pick one up.  Baking is something that tires me out but also brings me intense joy.  I tend to select recipes that challenge me and can take longer than reading the back of a box and popping it in the oven.  There is something about creating a treat that looks nice and is fun to eat.  But I will admit, after I create I often find myself saying ~ yeah I don’t need to do this again.  I get over that feeling and before I know it I’m back in the kitchen creating again. There’s just something about when the seasons start to change that’s invigorating.  The air is cool and crisp and the colors of Fall are just brilliant.  I love decorating my space with the warm glow of lights and candlelight.  It’s such a warm feeling.  Every year I say I’m going to do less, but that never seems to happen and it’s not lost on me that what goes up….must come down!

Back on the mileage train this week.  I was very well-rounded.  I walked, ran and got in some outdoor cycling. I have been waiting to get on the bike outside, but the weather was a little iffy.  This weekend had a little rain, but I was able to get out and complete 10 miles on the bike.  I pumped up the tires, oiled the chain and put the rack back on the Subie.  It’s amazing when you don’t use certain muscles in a while how bad they hurt doing something you think is fairly harmless.  My neck is screaming from bending forward!  I forgot too ~ I woke up and my neck was hurting so bad I thought I was getting a sore throat…then I remembered…ooohh yeah.  Funny how that happens.  I went back out to the Mt. Vernon trail wearing my long sleeve Autumn jersey ~ which was fine for the first five miles then I got hot.  It’s so cute with it’s leaves.  I had to take it slow on some of the turns because there were so many wet leaves on the winding path.  The last thing I wanted to do was wipe out.  Glad to say ~ no falling for me.  Always a good thing.

I have been trying to find different riding events around the DC area and finally decided to drop in to a cycling store close by.  I had taken my bike to get serviced at another store during the summer not realizing there was one right down the street.  I love when I go in to a cycling store.  How can I say this…some women like jewelry.  Not.this.gal.  Nothing like carbon, aluminum and spandex to get this heart pumping. The main reason for going in the store was to just see if they had some group rides or at least a schedule of some rides in the area.  I ended up getting into an hour-long conversation about rides, bikes and something that I have wanted a long time…the cycling trainer.  For those of you who cycle know what the trainer is.  It’s a small piece of equipment that you can place your bike on and ride…inside.  When I lived in Phoenix I could ride all year round.  That’s not the case in Virginia.  Trainers come in a lot of different price ranges.  The ones at the store ranged from $199 to about $1500 ~ from the basic to the extreme.  Think Peloton™…only better.  Buying a good bike is a lot like buying a car.  You walk around, kick the tires, and of course look at the prices.  New models, colors and better brakes are all part of the game.  One is lighter and more streamlined.  I’m walking around the store talking trainers and the manager brings me to a bike set up with the $599 trainer.  Basically the bike is in the trainer and hooked up to a tv that has races…all around the world.  So while your ride you’re participating in the race.  Not only that, you can race against your friends and family…anywhere.  It’s better than Peloton, because you’re on your own bike.  The manager and an associate tell me to get on and give it a whirl.  My mind was saying no (it was too tall for me) but my body said…oh yeah.  I got on that thing and started riding ~ my cute little Avatar was in some race in Italy.  As I started pedaling I could just feel the smile across my face getting bigger.  I was literally giddy ~ almost laughing. They both just laughed and said I don’t think we have ever seen a reaction like that on any customer.  They said my face just immediately brightened up.  I’m laughing now just thinking about it…  It was pure joy.  Like I said, some women like diamonds, but a good bike and an awesome trainer are a girls best friend.

You’ll be happy to know I left empty-handed and acquired the information I came for…group rides.  They have one every Saturday and from there I can learn about other events in the area.  So for now I will have to just dream…maybe one day.

Back down on earth I have signed up for my next running race in the area.  That brings me to the title of this post!  Bling.  For most of my races there has been some sort of bling associated and don’t forget the t-shirt.  I don’t do races just for the bling…but come on man…it’s cool.  It seems like the medals keep getting cooler by the year too.  Sometimes I think I see a medal and I’m like…I’m going to run an event just to get that medal.  Hmmm, maybe not the whole reason to do an event, but it is fun.  How do you feel about it?  Do you only choose events that have bIing?  I didn’t get anything for the Vermont half marathon.  Just a t-shirt.  Insert snappy comment here _________!  I have signed up for a 10k run on Veteran’s Day, sponsored by the local RWB here in DC.  RWB stands for Red, White and Blue.  It is an organization that sponsors a lot of different activities for anybody who wants to join, but there is a heavy veteran population in the group.  It’s a good way to get involved in events and meet people who have the same interests.   The veteran day 10k will pass by some of our most treasured veteran memorials, so I’m looking forward to November 11th.  Most likely will only be a t-shirt, unless I’m within the top three in my age group.  I checked last years paces for women 50 – 54 and something tells me I’m going to be happy with my t-shirt.  Hey, I’m stoked.  I’m a veteran and I’m alive.  I’ll take the t-shirt any day of the week.

This week’s miles came to 20.88 and a total of 43.16 so far for the month.  I hope to break last months miles!  I have completed 5700.73 in my journey with 5614.27 gratefully remaining.  I hope this post finds you in an Autumn state of mind.  Now to get baking.  Happy Miles to You!!

I know I’ve played this song before…but so appropriate!