TIME FOR TAPER

via

So, today was my first "taper" long run before the big race!! 12 miles was enjoyable with my running crew! I am more and more aware of the fall with the crisp mornings, the changing leaves, and the feeling in the air... Running in the fall is pure joy!

The taper... Everyone talks about it while marathon training. I for one did not understand what they spoke of. You reduce your training before your big event. You reduce your weekly mileage; you allow your body to rejuvenate, breathe, heal, rest... The taper is just as important as the preceding vigorous pace runs I am learning.

Tomorrow I will work in my yoga practice in the evening to seal up the weekend and STRETCH!

Continue to enjoy your weekend, loves!

Spotlight: DESIGNER ORLA KIELY

A favorite of mine since discovering her cute water-proof laminated color splash purses at Anthropologie, Orla Kiely offers clothing, handbags, accessories, housewares, and stationery in neutrals and brights, and classic and modern... Read more about the designer at Telegraph.

Autumn 2010 Polka Dot Dress

via

Classic Shoulder Tonal Stem

The Irish Times Magazine Spread

via

V-Neck Day Dress by Olive and Orange for Orla Kiely

Super Maxi Slim Bag

50s Inspired Dress

via

Alpine Forest Big Zip Wallet in Color "Rock"

Orla Kiely Interior

via

SONG OF THE DAY

THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER BY FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE

TAKE A LISTEN/SEE VIDEO

Happiness hit her like a train on a track
Coming towards her stuck still no turning back
She hid around corners and she hid under beds
She killed it with kisses and from it she fled
With e-very bubble she sank with a drink
And wa-shed it away down the kitchen sink.

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horses are comin' so you better run

Run fast for your mother; run fast for your father
Run for your children all your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind.
You can't carry it with you / if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cos here they come

And I- never wanted
anything from you
Except
everything you had
And what was left after that too Oh!

Happiness hit her like a bullet in the ba-ck
Struck from a great height

By someone who should have known better than that

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cos here they come

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father
Run for your children all your sisters and brothers
Leave all your love and your longing behind
You can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
Can you hear the horses
'Cos here they come

The dog days are over
The dog days are done
The horse-s are co-min'
So you'd better run

The dog days and over
The dog days are done
The horse-s are comin'
So you'd better run

SHADES OF FALL

Slouchy, yet Refined...Ruffles...Neutrals... Layers... Fall Fashion is here!!!

TEXTURE BLITZ

via

GLITZ PLUS MATTE LEATHER

via

SLEEK RIDING BOOTS

via

OVERSIZED CUFFS

via

THE TRENCH

via

NEUTRALS, STARK WHITE, STRIPES

via

WORDS TO LIVE BY

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. 


Sail away from the safe harbor.


Catch the trade winds in your sails.


Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

ETSY FINDS: ACCESSORIES

SILVER SPOON HANDLE EARRINGS FROM THEGOBSTOPSHOP

IVORY FEATHER BABY HEADBAND FROM STARZSELECTION

(COLORADO FIND!)

BEIGE STRIPES RECONSTRUCTED NECKLACE FROM HOOGS

(COLORADO FIND!)

BEAUTIFUL CAMEL TOTE BY SMADARS

HAND-FELTED FROM WOOL FLORAL HEAD PIECE FROM CRAFTS2CHERISH

MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP

When you are in the valley, keep your goal firmly in view and you will get the renewed energy to continue the climb. -Denis Waitley

In my world, this running season, Saturday signifies "long run day".  I wake up to meet with my running group in the Denver / Boulder area for a 6:00AM or 6:30AM start. Many of the runs tend to be in South Denver, so I find myself waking up at 4:45 for the longer runs to be there on time!

Today, my run schedule said I had to run 16 miles. You will find out later in this post if I stuck to this mileage. We met in Lone Tree and began at 6AM since everyone was adding mileage and running for a longer amount of time. The terrain was pretty hilly compared to past group runs with an elevation change of approximately 85 feet per mile! What a workout!!

I ran almost the whole time with my pace group up and over hills and switchbacks.... The couple of times we went downhill, we were definitely super stoked!!

Now I haven't been sore yet running with this group - but today's run changed everything. I talked to other runners about this when we were stretching and FINISHED and they said they had strange pains and soreness....I guess it wasn't just me. I will blame the terrain. I will say though that I am thankful my longest run to date was on difficult terrain because this will make my other long runs easier. Fellow group runners said this was the most difficult long run they had done while running with our group! I guess that says something to.

Instead of 16 miles, I ended up putting in 18. Yes, it was super tough and I did have to walk for some of Mile 17..... BUT I was happy I decided to pick it up a notch. The distance matched up with the original Level 2 training plan I had been working off of. I was just thankful to be running with great people - they helped get me through and conquer those hills!!

Happy Running to all!! It is time for me to hit the hay!!