Laurel Highlands Ultra volunteering & Father's Day weekend

I took a couple days off last week to rest up for the Laurel Highlands 70 miler, but I was not running, so I figured a sleepless night in the tent with the kids would be fun. They slept well on some cots from our neighbors, but I slept on the ground and I am really feeling my age. 

I smoked some ribs since they were on sale. They turned out delicious, but I had to delay eating them and they were a little drier than I would have liked. Everyone else thought they were fantastic. 

Then I was off for Pennsylvania. The laurels were blooming along the Laurel Highlands hiking trail. This race was supposed to be my Western States qualifying race, but because of my injury I had to back out of the race because I would not have made the 70 miles.

I did get out for a short run, before the race, along the trail with a couple of friends that were there.

Instead I volunteered a little Friday night then all day on Saturday. I had to be up at 3AM to get to the start of the race to set up the starting line and start checking in the runners.  I worked at Aid Station 2 and handled all the hydration needs of the runners. Mixing up electrolyte drink and keeping the drinks nice and cold for the runners. Met some awesome people at the race and can't wait to get back out on the trails more, now that I am recovering. 

Father's Day was a hot and humid day, as usual. I went on a run with Summer while Evan rode his bike. We set up a kiddie pool in the backyard and just relaxed. My brother Marcus was in town so he stopped by.

Marcus came back over on Monday and we played games and then went fishing. I accidently caught a turtle, but we safely got the turtle back in the water. Evan loves turtles, so he wanted to touch the turtle. Great few days. Good for the soul. Hoping to catch up on sleep soon. 

On and off rain & storms today, so grab the rain gear. We have scattered showers and storms early this morning and a few more rounds of this rain on and off today. Rainfall totals will be around half an inch today, but higher rainfall totals for areas that get a couple rounds of downpours. There is a flood watch for Southern and Eastern Ohio. We are starting off with temps around 70 and warming to a high around 82, if we get a long enough break in the rain. Severe thunderstorms, with damaging winds or large hail, are not likely today. The rain takes a break this evening and tonight with just a stray shower or two possible. We will remain humid tonight with patchy fog forming and dropping to a low around 70.

Wednesday will bring a chance for stronger storms. The chance of rain will be low in the morning then increase chances of rain as we go through the afternoon and evening. An approaching cold front will likely trigger storms later in the day tomorrow. Stay weather aware for late Wednesday for the potential of severe storms with damaging winds, large hail, or even an isolated tornado. We will warm up to a high around 88 for Wednesday with high humidity to make it feel like the lower 90s. Today’s winds will be light out of the southwest, but they pick up 10-15 mph for Wednesday. Scattered storms for Wednesday night and a few lingering showers or storms possible for the first part of Thursday. Lower chance of rain for the second half of Thursday, after the cold front has passed through. High temps around 82 on Thursday with humidity slowly dropping.

Hot to end the workweek then very hot heading into next week. Friday we will be partly cloudy with a high around 86 with moderate humidity. We will get very humid on Saturday with a high around 89 and partly cloudy skies. Mostly sunny Sunday and Monday with high temps around 93 and 94 with muggy humidity. Heat indices will be in the upper 90s. Have a good one!

Best,
Andrew Buck Michael