Five Things to Look Forward to in Fall | Friday Five

It's that time of year again. The temps are warm but starting to dip. It's getting darker on those early morning runs. Soon the leaves will change. Pumpkin Spice is invading everything: the coffee, the beer, the cake, the dogs, the cats, the humanity! Sorry, started down a pumpkin spiced rabbit hole there. Damn, did it again. Anyway, this week, the Friday Five linkup is looking ahead to fall. This week's topic is

Five Things to Look Forward to in Fall

1. Fairs

One of my favorite thing about fall is it's time for fairs. This weekend I'll be attending the Allentown Fair with my wife's family, which means delicious fair food I'll spend the week running off (but SO worth it). In my hometown, near halloween is always Farmer's Fair. Growing up that meant entering decorated pumpkins when younger, then working the boy scouts pizza stand, marching with the band and then even later an enjoyable weekend with friends you haven't seen in a while. I even got the chance to take my daughter last year and she had a blast. Petting zoo and a parade with marching bands, what's not to love? Growing up every year we attended the Bloomsburg Fair: crafts, animals, rides and of course food. In college, it meant mostly the food, like daring to eat the heart stopping deep fried cheesecake (btw, fantastic, worth however many miles).

2. Cool but not Cold

I love when the temperature just starts to drop and cool down before it gets cold. I love jeans and t-shirt weather. I'm most comfortable in it, outdoor activities are great and you can drive with the windows down. Music up, windows down, perfect ride. Perfect temperature to run as well, which brings us to the next item.

3. Beat the Blerch

If you're a runner, you may likely have seen this comic from The Oatmeal. It became quickly popular shortly after being released. The popularity of the comic and the blerch prompted Matthew Inman to start his own race, the Beat the Blerch 10K / Half / Full Marathon. The race sold out immediately after being put on sale. Not just runDisney fast, but in a matter of minutes fast. They eventually decided to add a 2nd day. That day sold out from the number of people on the waiting list alone. Then, finally, the added a virtual run. Sign up, get all the swag, and run from anywhere you can. This was on sale for just a week, and I can't even imagine how many people signed up. However, I am one of them. The race dates are September 20th and 21st, so I plan to run the same day. I'm hoping to run a half for it, but may only do the 10K, if scheduling won't allow for the time to run 13.1 miles.

4. Halloween

I always enjoyed dressing up for Halloween growing up. Getting to pick out a costume and be something fun. It was always a good time and came with the perk of candy. Now, I get to share that time with my daughter and son. She loves playing dress up. This week I've come home to her twice in different princess dresses. This year, she is excited to be Cinderella and decided that her brother should be Jack the Mouse. I can't wait to see it.

5. Preschool

It's back to school time, which is usually a time parents love and children hate. I'm excited because my daughter will be in preschool for the first time. The down side to Virginia is my daughter misses the cutoff for school. From everyone we've talked to, our county is also very strict on that, even private schools. So for preschool, we had to find one with a 'young 3s' program, which means she'll only be going two half days a week. But two are better than none. She's very excited for it as well. She loves learning, which makes Mommy and Daddy happy.

A Helping Hand (Again)

Liked this post and want to see more? Just want to do me a favor anyway? I recently started a Facebook page to go with my blog (you're reading it now) and Twitter (@rgrdisney) when I did my giveaway, so I'd love if you'd help it grow and give it a like. If you do and drop me a message, I'd be more than happy to return the favor. I know I asked this last week, but felt it wouldn't hurt to ask. Thanks.

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Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!

Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat Pray Run, DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up

Chaitali @ Running and Enjoying

M @ readeatwriterun

Amalia @ Live Travel Eat and Run

Image credit:

Fried cheese cubes - yorkblog.com

Ribbon fruit - dillsburgfarmersfair.org

Tractor - dillsburgfarmersfair.org

Crowd shot - martmagpa.com

Blerch - beattheblerch.com