@seansharp

Summer Fade . . .

Posted on September 27, 2023

I took the last two days of the summer work season off to do some chores (clean garage!) and go to the UO Cross Country Dellinger Invitational Meet. It was a good couple of days as the final days of heat ended and the fall storms rolled in off the Pacific. I am moss, lichen, salmon, grey clouds, wool, flannel, plaid and waxed canvas. I look forward to this change so much each year and it rarely disappoints.

The meet was run on a golf course out in Springfield, just east of Eugene. It was a beautiful day with several colleges and universities represented. The men run an 8k race and the women run a 6k race. It’s all anaerobic in the end. Impressive.

Coming into the finishing chute.

From the top of Mt. Pisgah. I started in the dark and it just got light when I made it up. Lovely day as the clouds came in (although this is looking east).

This little gem was spotted on my run this morning on the Ridgeline Trail. One of the others in our group stopped and waited for the rest of us to show us. Spot the Buddha!

I do not normally bike and text and I do not endorse such an activity; however, coming into campus this morning, the slanting eastern sun cut through buildings on the right and lit up this tree. I think it’s cherry, but I did not stop to confirm. Lovely colors. Fall. It is time.

Pre Classic / Diamond League Finals

Posted on September 19, 2023

This past weekend the Prefontaine Classic Track Meet took place and it was also the Diamond League Finals for the outdoor track and field season. Eugene comes alive when track arrives, hence the nickname, “Tracktown, USA.” It really is a track town.

The fella who set the new US record in the mile run, Yared Naguse, was on his high school bowling team. Then he ran the timed mile for PE and the PE teacher had the track coach take a look. Here we are. Solid running all the way around.

Back to school!

Posted on September 8, 2023

Both Jonah and Nora headed to their prospective schools this week. One late and one early. One less than excited and the other overly so.

Late afternoons I often take a short walk and sit near Hayward Field to do a bit of reading. Blue sky, green field and silver skin over the top. It is a lovely start to Fall here in Eugene.

Sunday

Posted on September 3, 2023

I’m preparing to run another 50-kilometer trail race near Bend, Oregon, in mid-October. With this coming up, I have been slowly working on increasing my running mileage and the variety of terrain I run on. So . . . today, I left the house in the dark and ran the 4.6 miles up to the top of Spencer Butte, then came down and ran on the Ridgeline Trail to the end and finally down the roads back home. It was a beautiful morning to be out. Images are from today, except for the cinnamon roll I purchased at the Great Harvest Bread Company in town yesterday. It was shared and was delicious.

From the top of Spencer Butte, looking east. Some fog, some wildfire smoke, and the sun peeking through.

This is the sign in the parking lot where the Ridgeline Trail begins to go up to the top. I came from the other way after being to the top, but I have always liked the Vonnegut quote on this sign. The logo for Eugene shows the butte, as well, which I’ve always liked, too.

I had not seen these signs before today. It looks like there is a move to expand the trail which would be great, I think.

This was my route, as shown on the app I use to track my movements, Strava. You can see the route in the map section.

As mentioned earlier, this was shared and eaten with a couple of eggs. A nice treat upon returning home. 🙂