A blog about writing, sketching, running and other things
Listened to My Brother, My Brother and Me episode 424 today and was inspired to draw this:
Pizzaria seagull and octopus, both incredibly wealthy.
If you aren’t listening to MBMBAM yet, I highly recommend it, and this is an excellent episode to start with.
This is probably going to be my last 10K long run before my next race. I set out just as the sun was rising, and since not many people were around, the birds weren’t as flighty as usual (pun intended). So I got pretty close to this night heron, and even closer to several Egytian geese, including the handsome fellow I photographed below. These birds are pretty big, and I didn’t want to get on their wrong side, so I just admired them as I ran by.
This was today’s sunrise. It was pretty stunning, but I should have taken better notice of those clouds. It rained for the last 10 minutes of my run, which was refreshing at first, but as the sidewalks got slippery, pretty dangerous later on.
Saw a little brown bird lying still on the road on my way to work. It was alive but appeared stunned. I gently picked it up and moved it to a large planter, away from the road and the cars. Came back later with some water for it but it had flown away.
Drawn on a Field Notes Signature sketch book, with a Zebra fine disposable brush pen.
I started my run a little after 6 o’clock, just catching the sunrise. I was planning on running a 9k, but the weather was perfect, so I pushed myself to run a 10k. I was rewarded by a pretty close look at a night heron, and some pretty nice river views.
Went on a 5k run this evening, and though the weather was hot and humid, a breeze kicked up in the end, easing some of my sweaty discomfort.
It was a big cloud kind of day:
Stopped on my way to take a few pictures of ducks and a night heron:
A young woman was sitting by the artificial lake with her dog, taking in the view and adding to it:
A hot air balloon made escorted me for a while:
Then rushed back, before it was too dark to see the path back.
I ran a 5k yesterday, through the late night summer crowds, heat and humidity. It was low tide and a fisherman was out trying his luck at the beach, his footprints crisscrossing the floodlit sand.
Our bright and early for a relatively cool 8k, with some pretty great, no filter opportunities to photograph waterfowl in the sunrise.
Started out earlier than last week, because of the heatwave we’re experiencing now, but still had a hard time running, especially during the last kilometer. Last night’s 5k was also difficult, as it was super humid outside. Breathing water while running is no fun at all.
Started out a little after 6:00 AM, to clear blue skies.
Since I set out earlier than last week, I did get to see some birds out and about. This little egret is a Tel Aviv Port regular, waiting for unlucky fishermen to throw it their little fry.
Near the halfway point I saw a hoopoe, with its unmistakable crown, poking around the grass for insects. It’s our national bird, which is a bit funny, since hoopoes generally migrate to Israel on during the summer.
8 km done and dusted. I had to stop a lot, drink a lot of water, and stop twice to top up my water bottles from water fountains, it was so hot. I’m pleased I got my run in, but I can’t wait for cooler weather. It’s only the beginning of July and the blast furnace that is August still lies ahead… 😅
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, a huge, fun street party sort of affair, which I missed because I was with my mom in hospital. She got released home on Friday afternoon, but has to go back for more tests on Sunday, which makes none of us happy. And when I’m not unhappy or stressed I go out for a run.
Started out at 6:20, hoping to get 7k in before the sun started blazing (wear sunscreen!), but I forgot that my usual route was going to be partly blocked because of the Tel Aviv Triathlon. It made for a challenging and interesting run at least.
6:20AM and look at that sun already blazing:
Some of the decorations for the Pride Parade were still up on the beach, and some of them will stay here permanently:
The sprint category of the triathlon was just about to start as I tried to run past them and into the TLV port and park:
Here I was forced to go on several diversions before finally making it to the park for the halfway point of my run.
Whenever life sucks, go for a run. I guarantee that you’ll feel better.
This week’s long run was my first after another bout of sickness. Ran just 6k and had a bit of a tough time with it, since I’m still coughing and I had to stop a few times to catch my breath.
That did allow me to take a few photos of a pied kingfisher fishing, and some little egrets chasing each other on the shore:
As usual, the only run that you’ll regret is the one that you didn’t take.
Writing at Large 