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Hills and trails today. More up and down than I am used to but it was fun exploring the random trails of Hyland.

Wooden steps ascend through a dense forest, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the earthy path covered with fallen leaves.

Grassy hillside overlooks a valley with scattered trees, buildings, and a parking lot. Ski lift chairs are stationary, indicating a recreational area. Blue sky with light clouds provides a serene backdrop.

Buildings sit near a calm lake, surrounded by a forest of colorful autumn trees. Grass covers the foreground, while city structures are faintly visible on the horizon.

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2024-10-25 Running

I had no plan more than I just wanted to get outside and moving  today. As for the actual run it was good but nothing fancy with some great scenery… The overall goal was to keep moving today in the wall of leaves. 🍂

Pathway lined with dense green foliage and scattered autumn leaves, leading to an open grassy area under a clear blue sky. Bare branches loom above, signaling late fall.

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This felt good to get out for a run today. The weather was great, helped clear my head, and it honestly didn’t feel like much work so I added some miles. 🍂

A dirt path lined with autumn-colored trees stretches into the distance. Fallen leaves cover the ground, and the tree canopy forms a tunnel-like structure, creating a serene woodland scene.

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Was a nice day out and I found myself with some time to get some miles in on my favorite boardwalks.  This really helped me get through the rest of the day.

A wooden boardwalk extends through a grassy field under a clear blue sky, leading toward a cluster of trees with golden autumn leaves. Sparse trees line the horizon.

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Monday miles to start the week off. One meeting got done early so thankfully I could get this run in the cooler morning hours. These two friends didn’t think anything of me and just kept walking towards me when I stopped to take this picture. 🦌📸

Two deer stand alert beside a leaf-covered path, surrounded by dense foliage and tall grasses, in a wooded area during autumn.

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Fun time at the game tonight and glad for my son that ISU squeezed out a victory in the end. 🏈

Four people smile for a group photo on a football field, surrounded by a stadium with spectators. One person wears an “Iowa State” jersey. The scoreboard and stadium lights are visible.

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Was a great morning outside to get this run in before the fun day ahead. I only wish I could find my other gears. Since last week I feel good running after a while but still more winded than I would like.

A narrow dirt path winds through dense bushes with autumn-colored leaves, surrounded by colorful trees under a cloudy sky, evoking a calm, natural setting.

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Not sure why this just makes me laugh. Probably because there is some truth to it.

Two people stand in front of a downward-trending graph on an easel. One person looks puzzled. A plant is nearby. Caption: “I don’t get it. We had all those meetings. All Those Meetings, by Kaamran Hafeez and Helene Parsons, New Yorker

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At my son’s request my wife made Chicken Noodle soup with very minimal broth. It thought it was delicious tonight and glad there is leftovers!

A blue pot on a stovetop contains cooked noodles, sliced carrots, and other vegetables. It sits on a kitchen counter beside a bright orange utensil holder and a digital clock.

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Had to drop my daughter off in the other side of town so  ~conned~ convinced my friend to go on a run with me. It was needed after the past two days of work even though at points it felt worse than it should.

Sunlight filters through tall trees, casting shadows over dense undergrowth and golden foliage in a serene, wooded landscape. A river is visible in the distance, under a clear blue sky.

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It was good to get out for a run today as the weather was beautiful out. It was a long day so the energy level was not probably there but oh well I had no plans just had to get done at a certain time.

Tall reeds stand quietly in a sunlit field, surrounded by various green and golden foliage, under a clear blue sky. Trees frame the landscape on both sides.

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We dropped off the travelers this morning early at the airport. Excited for them and their week together in New York City. Should be a very special 10th birthday for our little one being with her grandparents.

Three people stand together, smiling, each holding luggage by a doorway labeled “3” at an airport curbside.

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18 years and counting! It’s hard to believe how time flies, and true to form, we’re spending the evening running kids to their activities. We’ll hold off and celebrate when things calm down later this week, but for now, Happy Anniversary! So grateful to have my amazing wife by my side to navigate through it all.

Two people are sitting and smiling on a large, bright green wooden chair. Surrounding them are trees and colorful playground equipment. The text on the chair reads, “Kiesler’s Campground and RV Resort.

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With the day off of work today I convinced a friend to go on a run with me today. The weather was great but I could still feel my legs talking to me from Saturday. So glad I had some company so I didn’t bail on this.

Lake reflects sky and trees; surrounded by lush foliage. A dirt path runs parallel to the water, bordered by wildflowers and grasses, under a partly cloudy sky.

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Siri on iOS 18.1 I finally Fixed my Issue

Since the update that happend this last week my Siri has failed to work and I could not figure out why for the longest time. I should preface that I have Apple Intelligence running as well. Everytime I would try to ask it to do something it would quick flash and go away.

As it frustrating has not worked all week I have realized how many times I ask it to do simple things like text, open apps and what not. As I thought about it when I saw this message and captured it I got the feeling this probably was the culprit.

Using that as my guide I did some digging on the interwebs as I had some time during the swim meet this morning. Thankfully I found some help on the Apple Developer forum as it seems like others have had a similar problem. This last comment I did exactly this and it worked.

You should change region to something else then change again to US even if you are not in us because AI is now only working in US region after changing restart your phone then go to AI settings you should either see join the waiting list if you havent press it but if you see it says downloading, do this quick it need a quick manouver. Go to language below again and set it to English.

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2024 Trout Brook 10 Miler Trail Run

Such a fun event and another Trout Brook 10 Mile  run in the books at Willow River State Park in Wisconsin. Couldn’t have had better weather as not as cool as last year but just perfect short and short weather. Glad it was cooler as I took my water bottles along thinking I would take one just incase on the run only to find out I forgot the belt it goes with. Since I didn’t want to carry it I decided to just wing it as that was what this whole tail run was anyways. 

I ended up running it faster than last year though I think this route was more challenging. With more up and downs on single track trails. Which comes to find out I am not good at in a race.  Hence in the first two miles I took a little fall in order to take a souvenir home after the run on my knees. Even despite the fall and hills I probably could (should) have pushed it harder on some up hills to stick to the two leaders as after the stairs and the turn around I never saw them again and was really by myself till the end of the race to take 3rd overall.

A scenic view of a lush forest landscape surrounding a winding river under a cloudy sky.

It was also great that I did talked an old work friend the one and only Joey Metzger to join last min this week. So it was great catching up with him before. 

Two men are smiling for a selfie outdoors, wearing athletic gear and standing in a park with trees and cars in the background.

A multi-tiered waterfall cascades down rocky ledges surrounded by autumn foliage and is viewed from a wooden observation deck.

River winds through a forested landscape, reflecting the cloudy sky. Trees with autumn leaves frame the foreground, creating a serene, natural setting at dusk.

Scraped knees show cuts and dirt, while legs stand on grass. Bright blue and orange running shoes, paired with red socks, are near a plastic water bottle on the ground.

A hand holds a square, dark slate coaster featuring crossed fishing rods, flies, and text: “TROUT BROOK” and “WILLOW RIVER STATE PARK” with “ST. CROIX RUNNING CO.” underneath. A wooden floor is visible in the background.

I guess I could still not stop and take pictures in a race. That might help as well but.. it was just so nice out which also could be why I fell as I was not watching my feet and looking around.

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The coffee issue from yesterday has been solved. Today has been a better day because of it. 😄☕️

A hand holds a yellow coffee bag labeled “Wonderstate Coffee - Summer Solstice, Organic, Seasonal Blend, Med-Light Roast.” The setting is a wooden-floored kitchen with visible cabinets.

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Another run after eating… Still not ideal but I have found out my “backyard” trail seems to have become a real trail these days as the city has made it less an adventure/deer trail and more a real trail.

A dirt path meanders through a dense forest, with tall trees arching overhead and scattered fallen leaves, creating a serene, natural tunnel-like environment.

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Looks like things might get interesting this weekend! However, now that I think about it with my road closed, trail closed, bridge out, and trees I jump over making my own trails. I might just be at home. 🏃‍♂️

Text on a dark screen announces: “2024 Trout Brook Partici…” focusing on “Trees Down.” Several trees on the course are down due to storms, making navigation challenging and adding adventure.

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After a long day and bad sleep last night this run felt like a lot of work. It probably didn’t help that I ate spaghetti 20 min before because carbs are good right? 🙄😬

Well at least it was a nice night on the trails.

A wooden boardwalk stretches forward through tall grasses, leading into a distant grove of trees, under a clear evening sky with a hint of dusk on the horizon.