A blog about writing, sketching, running and other things
Boy did I have a problem figuring out what to draw for this prompt. I almost decided to give up on it and work on my own thing. Then I remembered reading about the Angular Roughshark and that was that.
Zebra disposable brush pen on a Field Notes Signature sketchbook with a Faber Castell PITT Light Indigo brush pen.
Took a new route on today’s 8k run, and was rewarded with a flock of parakeets grazing in the park grass outside the local power station.
You can barely make them out here, but they’re also some parakeets perched on the yellow bush in the middle of the photo.
All in all, a good, relatively fast 8k run in what is becoming better and better running weather.
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.
Went out for a quick 5k run yesterday, building up my mileage for my September races. Tried a new route, to mix things up a little, and was rewarded with a pretty glorious sunset.
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… 😅
Managed to leave the house earlier than last week, but still not early enough to entirely skip the heat. Thankfully it was a windy day, so the heat wasn’t too unbearable, which meant that I could speed up my run a little bit.
The clouds were gorgeous, edged with morning light. It almost looks like a winter morning (Tel Aviv winters aren’t very grey and rainy) because it was so overcast.
There’s usually a lot more wildlife around the park, but since there are more people out this time of year (running, walking, doing yoga, playing with their dogs), only a few ducks and geese were around the boat docks.
8K done today, 4k done yesterday, and it looks like I won’t have time for a proper run tomorrow, so rest and stretch day it is. That’s the floor of one of my favourite coffee places, by the way. My machine is on the fritz and I haven’t had to fix it, so I’ve got to schlepp a bit for my brew nowadays.
This is from last week’s 5k – I just realised that I forgot to post it. Ain’t Tel Aviv gorgeous?
The promenade cafes and restaurants are packed with people watching the World Cup, including random bystanders.
The sunsets at this time of year are some of the best:
I usually run with my running group midweek, and then I rarely have time to stop for photos. This week was crazy in terms of scheduling (as will next week), so that meant either running by myself midweek or giving up on my runs, and I am NOT bailing on my runs. They help me keep grounded and sane in this crazy time.
There’s a new sign on the Tel Aviv Port deck, and I really like it:
Get it, Te-love-iv?
There was also a very colourful and very popular Chinese food festival in the Port’s farmer’s market area. I got slammed in the face by a Chinese dancer waving long ribbons around, but it didn’t hurt, it just made me decide to circumvent the festival on my run back.
The lifeguards still leave their posts way too early, but that doesn’t deter people from swimming in the sea. A little over 5k done and dusted, with some hill repeats in the middle. I hate hill repeats.
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.
It’s Israel’s 70th Independence Day next week and there was an exhibition celebrating this in Ben Gurion Boulevard.
The weather was perfect though it did heat up a bit later on. Sunscreen season is upon us.
You know you’re doing well as a fisherman when both a cat and an egret are waiting for you to fail.
Ain’t she pretty? I love Tel Aviv so much, especially on days like these.
All this made for a fast and fun 7k.
Writing at Large 