I have a new running hat – the bucket hat style of serious ultra runners. This hat alone makes me an ultra runner. The bucket hat style is brilliant, and this REI version of it worked out well in the rain this morning. I’m a happy camper. I’ll be wearing it for next Sunday’s Boulder Marathon. You can track me here, starting at 7am Mountain.

You can tell it’s fall in these photos. Some trees are turning color and the air was 49° as I launched into my 16 miler this morning.

The cool temps helped me average a 10 minute pace. I’m hoping to run a bit faster than that in the Boulder Marathon. If my son-in-law Eric has a strong performance at the Bear 100 Miler on Friday, that’ll put some pressure on me to do well. You can track Eric here on Friday.

The other reason you know it’s fall is because Margo turned 3 on Saturday. Her birthday always marks the end of summer.