Random Shots of Beauty (Extended Salinas Valley Edition)
I keep meaning to write something about my upcoming
Leadville race – it seems like kind of a big deal, after all - but there’s something about
the prospect of doing something that simultaneously inspires and terrifies me
that’s temporarily leaving me at a loss for words. I’m working on it, I promose.
In the meantime, let’s do an extended Random Shots of Beauty
post, featuring scenes from my warmup run prior to this morning’s Salinas Valley Half Marathon. Basically, I did this again plus a few extra miles – but the difference this summer was that this morning’s run was the
first time I’ve toured the Salinas Valley on foot in several weeks. That’s another long story as well – one I may
revisit at some point here. For now,
enjoy some photos (and click to enlarge any of these):

A long glance down the valley from a high point at around
mile 7 on the course …

A pair of dilapidated farm buildings …

A gradual descent and climb that leads to …

… another cool abandoned structure on the fringe of a
vineyard.

A little farther down the road, a nice reminder of just how
inconsequential a morning run is in the grand scheme of things, and how
fortunate I am to be able to enjoy it.
Count your blessings, people.

And finally, some big ol’ bird - maybe a hawk, maybe just a turkey vulture; I honestly have no idea - flying above another winery
when I eventually made it back to my car about six hours after leaving. After today’s run, it’s time for me to take
flight into full-on taper mode.
*
Also, check back for the Honey Stinger contest winners
tomorrow night.
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Published on August 04, 2012 18:57
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