I Got Three Twist Ties and a Paper Clip - Where it's at!

So I had to officially say Goodbye to my Garmin watch just as my summer running tour was getting started. It was an older version, one that used the umbilical cord to upload stats to my laptop. It was a used device passed onto me by my brother and I had utilized it religiously. Even when it began to wear out, I found ways to keep it intact and track my miles. Unfortunately, my MacGyver-like fixes and patchwork could only go so far.

Super glue, three twist ties,
a piece of the torn band
and a paper clip.

After a few weeks of repairs, it became too much to endure. The super glue, three twist ties, paper clip and random piece of the former watch band that made up the missing portion of the watch, had to go. I contacted Garmin with the following email, partly as a joke and mostly because I was proud of my watch repair ingenuity and wanted to share it:

Hello Gurus of the Garmin...

Below you will see some recent pics of my Garmin Watch band (older, but not ancient. Though, it does utilize the umbilical cord in order to upload and thinks Bluetooth is a Harry Potter character), it is slowly disappearing like Marty McFly before his future dad clocks the crap out of Biff and makes out with his future mom - ooohh yeeaahh. It doesn't help that I use it - essentially - every day. These pics are from May 17th.

Since then...I've had to also utilize the assistance of paper clips and binder clips, along with the sandwich bag twist ties you see here, in order to ensure it stays upon my wrist and doesn't go the way of Betamax.

As much as I would hate to run without the watch (not that I'm working on a sub 2 hour marathon, but I am a stats geek and I'm approaching 42 which means running at the level I'm at now will not last much longer - Damn You Father Time!), I would like to eventually run without the band further eroding or having the watch face surgically embedded into my forearm - alas, my state employ health insurance is good...just not that innovative - and I wouldn't trust Trump Care as much as I would having a rabid wolverine as a house pet.

The MacGyverd Garmin and departed pieces

So my inquiry is - how can I get said watch band fixed, replaced, fused, transformed or magically evolve into a slightly more technologically savvy running device? I'm all ears...and glasses...and thinning hair...and single...and...oh..um, I mean...Thank you for your most gracious time and Run On Friends.

Sincerely,

Craig S.

I wasn't expecting jack squat, but was curious to see if I would get some sort of humorous response.

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Surprisingly, the folks at Garmin relayed to me it would be possible to replace the somewhat ancient and crumbling Forerunner 110 with an intact device of the same caliber. All I had to do was box up the sad allotment of pieces  of my former watch, minus the knickknacks used to keep it together, and send it to them. Though, this would take anywhere from 10 to 14 days.

In the meantime, I was annoyed I wouldn't be able keep track of my miles (500 + since December 2016), splits and speed - which aren't super important, but I'm a stats geek so the withdrawal potential started to creep in. Instead of returning it right away, I decided to wait till after Saturday's New Moon Quarter Marathon in Delaware (Memorial Day weekend) and possibly the 2017 HOKA ONE ONE Columbus 10K (Columbus' oldest road race) the following weekend - that's if my piece part repair job(s) hold up.

The thought of having to go some time without it was a little depressing, I think we both shed a tear when it really hit home - or was it simply sweat I wiped off the watch face? The world may never know.

New Moon Half and Quarter Marathon race route

Saturday late afternoon arrives and the quarter marathon is whispering my name. I'm joined by some of my The Buck Fifty 150 Mile Relay teammates - Susan, Patricia (both running the 1/4), Gary, Tom & Kevin (all running the half). It was pushing 80 degrees with 60% humidity, but it had rained a ton the night before and was cloudy for most of the day, then the sun came out blazing at 6pm: our start time.

At the gun, I'm cruisin' with a group of four or five who are going faster than I prefer but I wanted to feed off of them for as long as I could. The first mile felt good, despite being a 5:45 clip. I was definitely going to slow down, but this was good. At mile two the speedsters are drifting off in the distance and I'm decent, being constantly cheered on by groups of onlookers at every corner and driveway. Mile three was similar, off by just a second or two from the previous time check.

And then the humidity and thick post rain atmosphere hit me hard. Suddenly, I felt worn out and my legs couldn't find a grove. Usually, one can eventually find a gear to stick with - not so much on this day. Mile four was a minute slower than the previous and all I could do was keep moving and suppress my inner demons from making it worse. The next 2 1/2 miles were labored. Staring at the ground ahead of me with the course in my peripheral was my way to focus on finding the finish line. I couldn't even make the casual attempt to try to stay with any of those who made their way past me.

I finished in the daylight, but the scene as I was

leaving was quite picturesque.

I didn't want to cruise control to the finish, but I had to and avoided looking at my watch since disappointment had already sunk in. Rounding the corner to the finish with a huge crowd pulling me in, I dragged my worn out legs to the end and stopped my watch. Then, without hesitation or thought, grabbed three glasses of water off of the table next to me with my right hand and in one fell swoop, dumped them over my head. A quick gasp at first, then just like that it was refreshing. Still slowing moving forward, I'm handed my finisher's medal and grab another glass of water - this one actually made it to my mouth.

New Moon Quarter Marathon

Finisher's Medal

I get my souvenir New Moon Half & Quarter Marathon cup and head straight to the beer cart. Its filled with a Shock Top Shandy and I down half of it quickly. Not the greatest beer in the world, but it hit the spot right then. I then see a table offering chocolate milk - well, why not?

So I'm shuffling around like a zombie with a shandy in one hand and a glass of chocolate milk in the other. The band in the block party area starts playing I'm Yours by Jason Mraz, I don't pay much attention, but this elderly woman - who is cutting a rug in her own little world - reaches for my elbow as I pass by and gives me the "hey, you look bored, wanna dance?" look. On the road to recovery, with my beer & milk and drenched shirt keeping me cool, I join her. Just she and I, in front of the band and hundreds of runners and party goers. I wasn't so much dancing, but rather slowly gyrating in a way that onlookers could make sense of what I was doing. As our song came to an end, I jokingly say to her, "You know, I'm single." She follows with, "So am I." We chuckle and I move on to the food tent to grab a cheeseburger and various other snacks.

That's about the time I finally glanced at my watch: 6.66 miles in 47:18, a 7:13 pace. Not awful, but a good four to five minutes off of where I was hoping to be. Officially, I was 9th out of 392 quarter marathoners. The course was slightly more hilly than where I train typically, but not so much that it would have played a key role. The humidity knocked me down.

Restoration Brew Worx, highly

recommend. Tell Frank I said, "Hi".

My teammates make their way in, some doing about what they expected (or hoped) and others (like me) not so much. A learning experience it was, but I will be back next year - I'm simply not happy the New Moon got the best of me. And, that too, its hard to not like a race where the start/finish line are directly in front of Restoration Brew Worx, BOOM!

Our group slowly departs, but before leaving - Gary, Kevin and I make a quick stop at Barley Hopsters to grab just one more beer. I have a Wolf's Ridge Driftwood Session IPA and we step just outside on the patio to relax and watch the sun disappear and crescent moon slowly rise.

That's when I reminded Kevin about the hat he wore when he arrived. He decided he didn't want to wear it during the race and didn't want to carry it, but had no where to put it. As we waited to enter the race corral, upon our urging, Kevin shoved it into some flowers in a planter in front of Barely Hopsters and stuck a rock in front of where he put it with the hopes that maybe it would still be there when he returned (if he remember to get it).

Kevin's eyes lit up, "That's right!" He wandered over to the planter, working his way through bystanders, stuck his hand into the arrangement and pulled out his fluorescent hat - it lives! He then headed out, leaving Gary and I to finish our beers and talk of future races, possibly next weekend's HOKA ONE ONE Columbus 10K. Once finished, I make the slow stroll north on Sandusky Street on the humid May evening toward my car watching passing head lights, street lamp glare and glowing store fronts dance off of race course reflectors.

Wolf's Ridge Driftwood Session IPA - Tasty stuff

Summer Runnin' is now two weeks old with race number one in the books and the unknown awaits. Here's to the miles, sweat, fun, heat, people to meet, beers to drink and sweltering streets we hope to endure in the coming months...

Moon is high, shining down on the flowers
You and I while away the hours
Walk me down the sweltering street
I want to feel the city's summer heat

They're gonna play those old records till dawn
Let the music go on and on and on
It's too hot to sleep anyway
So we might as well stay

It's getting late, they're closing their doors
Let's go upstairs and dance some more
The words left unsaid can be told in time
You've gone to my head like sweet moonshine

 Let's play those old records till dawn
   Let the music go on and on and on
It's too hot to sleep anyway
So you might as well stay

                                                                        Eilen Jewell - Too Hot To sleep

Runnin' Summer 2017 Tour:

Summer Runnin', Should Be A Blast

Summer Runnin', Should Be A Blast

My apologies for the title's play on words regarding a certain song from the musical Grease simply because I can't stand it, but it fits with what I'm trying to do here and couldn't pass it up. So, since the weather this week finally turned summer-like, I'm officially signaling Summer Runnin' 2017 starts now.


I plan to continue the running which has been a constant since I started punishing myself again last August after a decade off. My hopes are to shove a summer full of races in between my weekly regime of keeping my 40 plus year-old body in somewhat athletic shape. The first Summer Runnin' 2017 Tour stop will be the New Moon Quarter Marathon in Delaware on late Saturday afternoon (May 27th) of Memorial Day weekend.

A few of my The Buck Fifty Traffic Panthers Teammates from last month will be joining me, though most of them have elected to take part in the New Moon Half Marathon. They have given me some good natured ribbing for taking, what they see as, the easy way out. Though I elected on the quarter marathon partly because I haven't put in the kind of training I would prefer for such a distance, but also because I have become somewhat enamored with the 10k as of late. Sure the quarter marathon is slightly more than 6.2 miles, but it is close enough.

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Running by myself, my 10k PR is 40:51, but I want to see how much I can shave off of that (if possible) competing against folks. Similarly, in March I was able to erase more than a minute off of a four mile PR running a St. Patrick's Day race. I would like to be around 39:00 minutes, if all goes as planned Memorial Day weekend. I have explained to my teammates that I will be drinking beer a full hour before they do, but I'm sure that means I will owe them a few when they finish.

A week later is the Columbus 10k which I'm hoping to take part in if my work schedule falls in line and then there is a planned vacation to Costa Rica in July - attempting to run there should be interesting. This is what I have in mind and set thus far regarding the 2017 Craig Thinks He's A Runner Summer Running Series. The rest of the schedule, events and such will evolve as time permits and as long as my deteriorating Garmin Watch holds up.

"... just know that being a runner is all about patience and riding out the low points to get to the high points." ~  5 Rules To Follow For Your Best Summer Of Running by Mile Posts

The summer running tour will go to the end of September. I hope to keep at the writing, the running thing and the traveling as my goofiness permits. I am in no hurry, but I hope to also make some changes this summer. I'm not expecting anything and I don't know what will happen, so my summer will come with a clean slate and an open mind...while adding to my collection of race SWAG.

In the meantime - grab a few beers, run a few miles, enjoy the sun and make some new connections. See you at the starting line...wherever that may be.

Beer On running friends.

We spent the summer running
Scared of what they might do
After we spent the winter crying
In the mist we came all unglued
Sometimes back to school

It seems so sad

And nothings new
Until I spent the summer running....

                                            Billy Idol - Summer Running

Utilize Your Inner Dork, Live a Little

Interesting how the smallest of decisions, gestures really, can turn your whole world on it's head. They blindside you with an avalanche of happiness, joy, pain, frustration, anxiety and a reminder that it is never the wrong time to test the waters of what might be.

It was the summer of 2014, I have been working at the library for about seventeen months. What's interesting at the library is the amount of people you meet who eventually, and very quickly, get comfortable and accept you as a friend and confidant. We may just be their book or DVD connoisseur, but that qualifies you - in their minds - as an almost neighbor-like position in their world.

Some folks you see everyday, but only recognize faces (there are hundreds). These are the patrons who use the self checkout terminals and only require varying human assistance. You know who they are, but don't really know them. This makes for great people watching. It allows you to wonder, think and casually daydream about who they are, what they are about, their struggles, their wants and needs. You live vicariously through them with your minds eye's version of what their life is like.

Found this by accident, makes me feel old. This is/was

typical 80s.  I remember this movie well.

One in particular I only casually noticed every couple of days or weeks or so. She was tall, slender, short brown hair with a reddish tint, dark rimmed glasses and kept to herself. The kind of person who simply blended in unless you were looking for them specifically. Whenever I saw her - which was rarely as she seemed to stealthily make her way in and out without so much as a peep or out of the ordinary glance - she sparked my interest and curiosity. Jokingly, I thought I should one day simply stop her in mid routine and talk to her before she quickly vanished yet again. Nevertheless, I kept to my library work routine - though my interest was burgeoning.

She looked younger than I, but pushing 39 at the time I had discovered it was getting harder to judge ages. I thought her to be on cusp of that way-to-young/maybe-not-that-much-younger demarcation line - whatever that might be for you. It was simply my mind wandering as I went about my day job.

One warm, sunny mid-July day - the 14th I think it was - the cute mystery girl made her way into the library again. Being a less than busy day, you tend to notice everyone who comes in. Also, since it was an incredibly nice day we had been staring out the windows and plate glass doors with envy, wishing we, too, were enjoying the great weather. So, you couldn't be missed by our wandering eyes.

The tall, bespectacled girl went about browsing books, but with what seemed to be a little less determination today. She grabbed a few things, but then made a detour to browse the stacks of new books. This may not have been something new for her, but I had never before seen her long enough to be sure. My curiosity got the best of me and - too - I was a little bored with the slow day at the library, so I plotted a way to talk to her. With no real intention, I just wanted to challenge myself.

I didn't have to be some weird, enamored admirer. Rather, I could simply utilize the ruse of asking a basic library customer service question. I had no plans to ask for a phone number, for her name or twitter handle - I just wanted to put a voice and snippet of personality with the girl my imagination had been constructing. Biting the bullet and using the confidence of "I'm just doing my job", I took a deep breath and strolled out from behind the service desk and into the unknown.

I casually saunter over to the new book shelves and glance intently at each level - utilizing the premise of making sure the books were in the correct order and in the appropriate location was only slightly false. I did this everyday anyway, but it was not my purpose at this point in time. Slowly making my way in her direction, I get close enough to not seem like a creeper - but not so far away that It looked like I was preparing to defend myself or run in the opposite direction. Then, in my best customer service persona, I make contact.

The Triple Threat, that's me.

"Mrs....?", she turns her head slightly towards me, "Is there something I can help you find?"

"No, I'm just looking. Thanks."

"Well, let me know if you do.", and I walk around the shelves smiling ear-to-ear and giving myself a fist bump in my mind - yeaahhh, I killed it.

Headed back to the desk, all proud of myself, I couldn't help but notice she was much more attractive than previously thought. She left the library moments later and I spend the rest of the day basking in the glow of my super cool high school-like move. She had to be impressed, despite the fact she was unaware of what was really going on....

...then again, my ulterior motives were trumped just hours later.

My work day ended at 6pm and once home I begin unwinding, along with turning my phone back on (I have it off at work - while on the desk - so as not to be a distraction). Finally relaxing, I pick up my phone noticing the notifications indicator flashing. Among a variety of things, I have a Facebook friend request - but I don't recognize the name. Who is Dawn Ellirob?, I think to myself. Near certain its spam, I click on the name to see if I can make out who she is.... and I'm sure you've probably guessed the answer by now.

Suddenly, I'm sitting there with my mouth open in shear surprise that Dawn is none other than the library mystery girl. Not sure what I should do or how to approach this - since my feeble mind never planned for my gesture to be returned or even thought about a next step - I try to weigh the reasoning for accepting or ignoring the request. Yeah, the confident adult Craig from a few hours before was supplanted by a shy near 40 year-old unsure of how to talk to women.

Me Craig....you Dawn?

She, Dawn, is 23 - fifteen years my junior. This isn't a complete negative, since I don't know her, but it does make one think hard about engaging in such things. After wrestling with my confused mind, I decided to grow up (just a little) and throw caution into the wind. With timid fingers, I accepted Dawn's request. Moments later we are trading messages. Nothing to detailed, but rather short, basic, get to know you blurbs between two awkward people who are entering new territory: think Tarzan happening upon Jane for the first time.

Before ending our introverted interaction, I mention that she should say "hi" the next time she visits the library. Still a little stunned and unsure of the can of worms I just opened, I was excited - giddy even - for what possibilities might be ahead.

The next afternoon, not really thinking about anything and going about my work day at the front desk - and just like that...there she is. Just as timid and shy as I (though I think I was better at hiding it). We meet eyes, share a smile and she slowly comes up to the desk.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Ellirob," as I try to lessen the weirdness circulating between us.

"And you as well," she says in a way a stray animal attempts to determine your motives.

Some further short pleasantries and I, being at work, go back to assisting patrons. She finds a nearby seat and opens a book. With butterflies going crazy in my stomach and a stupid smile plastered on my face, every now and then, I glance in her direction and but can't help but notice her eyes darting back onto the book that's sort of hiding her face. To be sure I continue staring for a moment or two and slowly a sly smile emerges as she realizes I have caught her staring at me. Without acknowledging me, she's holding back laughter.

Warren G. Harding Memorial & Tomb

Before Dawn leaves, I suggested we meet up for a walk later at the Warren G. Harding Memorial. This is connected to a historical cemetery which is surrounded by a walking and biking trail. She agreed and that shy person I was just 24 hours earlier had disappeared.

I couldn't wait to get off of work - and I was still amazed that my "fake like I'm working just to talk to you" planned worked, going far beyond I ever thought it would. Maybe a little too eager, I arrive fifteen minutes ahead of time, despite living less then five minutes away. Shortly thereafter I see a red pick-up with cap pull up and park, its Dawn. Though, I see her exit the passenger side. Did she have someone drive her here? Maybe she did, but nevertheless, I get out and head over meet her - trying hard to hide my eagerness. We walk and talk, feel each other out with questions, inquiries and general who are you wonders. She is somewhat quiet and reserved to start, but is slowly opening up and a personality begins to flourish.

The first date steps

We find some steps to sit on and bombard one another with laughs and get comfortable enough to let our guard down. At easy now, I'm simply curious, "Did you get a ride over here?"

"Why do you ask?", as a look of confusion develops.

Pointing out that she exited from the passenger side of her truck when she arrived, she smiles sheepishly and rolls her eyes, "No, I parked parallel and I didn't want to open my door into oncoming traffic, so I slid over to the other side to get out." A little embarrassed, she looks away from me as if some cat was let out of the bag.

Failing to hold back a huge grin, What a dork, I thought...and I loved it. With that, she had me hooked. I wanted to kiss her before we parted ways, but I didn't want to push my luck. That, too, I was probably too shy to initiate it anyway.

Over the ensuing days we hung out quite a bit. And one of those times, also at the Harding Memorial, we were sitting along the ledge of the structure and decided to head back to my place to grab a drink on this rather hot summer day. So we parted ways to our separate vehicles. There, I did kiss her and I was grateful for the fact that she seemed much more mature than what our fifteen year age difference would suggest. Also, I'm likely less mature than my age would suggest, so we got along swimmingly.

I would find out months later that when we left the memorial on that day, she went to step off of the ledge we had been sitting on to head to her car, but didn't realize it was about a four foot drop. So when she came off the ledge she fell forward and had to stick out her arms to catch herself in order to avoid face planting the ground below. Somewhat horrified, she immediately looked around to see if I had observed this - though I had already made my way around to the other side of the building and didn't witness her fall. She then quickly jumped up, brushed herself off and nonchalantly headed to her truck as if nothing happened, keeping the mishap under wraps until she was comfortable with sharing it. Like it would cast her into a bad light somehow.

Also, it was made known to me that she was unsure of my name and had overheard me answer the phone at the library a few times but wasn't close enough to determine what name I used during my greeting. Too shy (or smart, rather) to come up with a stupid plan like I did, she went to see if I could be found on Facebook. She tried plugging in Greg and Craig, along with the name of the library to see what would come up to see if she could connect the dots. Thus, her investigation proved successful.

These are exactly the kinds of things I tend to do and it made me want to pursue what we had going on even more. Two dorks had found one another by complete accident, goofy worlds do collide sometimes.

We dated for 2 1/2 years and even lived together for some time, but with as much as we had in common and enjoyed one another - what we wanted, needed and expected from a significant other was just simply different. The things required to make a relationship last were the same, but at the opposite ends of the spectrum for someone who is 25 and one who is 40. Alas, in the long run, those things just simply didn't correlate.

As disappointing it was to see it all come to an end, my whole point of this is how simple efforts, whims or curiosities can turn into something much bigger and worthwhile. I wasn't really looking for anything and, at the time, was simply feeding my sometimes waivering ego - but that's all that was needed. Unbeknownst to me, I created the spark and a smoldering fire turned into a great blaze. Though, fires do get put out sooner or later.

Even still, I don't regret what we had or how it started. Its those kinds of stories which create memories and I challenge all of us to be more confident and follow up on a hunch or throw caution into the wind. Sure, they will not always evolve the way you want them to or how you imagine, but its the only way to be more alive and in the moment.

Don't just wonder what could be or what might have been - make it what happened, not what COULD have happened - create your own reality.

Embrace your backwardsness and let your dorkdom fly.

The Cougar Challenge: In Like a Sad, Drenched Kitten

Needing to continue setting short term goals now that the 150 mile relay has come and gone (which was my whole purpose for running again), this will be the first month to test my running wherewithal. And May is giving me some ridiculous exams.

The Columbus State Cougar 5k Challenge on Saturday, May 6th seemed like a good baby step in the post "major goal" process when I signed up for it a month ago, when we were seeing an unseasonably warm April with 70 and 80 degree temps. This month, though, has reverted to an Autumn-like state. Six days in and it hasn't reached above 60 and it has rained nearly every day.

The Columbus State Cougar 5k Challenge
Course Map

The day before (Friday, Cinco de Mayo) was just ugly: 45, windy and a downpour nearly the entire afternoon. I'm not one to complain about the weather, but schizophrenic - out of season - weather is just annoying. Despite mother nature recovering, apparently, from too many tequila shots the night before I was prepared to move out of my running comfort zone.

My training consists of longer distances and working on pacing for them. The 3.1 mile length is faster and is more/less a distance running version of a sprint. So,I was hoping to tag along with a group of folks more comfortable with the 5k distance to help pull me along on this day. Also, getting out of my own head and simply running a decent race was among my personal challenges. I tend to think too much which can be a detriment to your entire psyche. 

LOOK! NO CLOUDS or RAIN!

Luckily, the clouds parted and we had a bright blue sky and sunshine. Still cool at around 45 degrees and a more than decent head wind, the major focus was navigating the water logged golf cart path littered with pools of water. At the starting line ready to roll, a group of Columbus State Cougar Cross Country members slide in next to me. Maybe, I thought, I can use them to pace me.

At the gun, I'm trying not to take off at light speed and work on hanging with those who have emerged to lead the group. Though, within a half-mile one of the Columbus State members moves ahead of everyone and the group I'm with seems - to me -  to be going a much slower pace than I than I'm typically comfortable with. Splashing along, I take it upon myself to move ahead to where I want to be and keep an eye on the rabbit in the Cougar uniform ahead of me.

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It wasn't easy to keep my personal pace up as puddles and pools of water seemed to litter every inch of the route, but being able to see the lead runner from time to time kept my mind in place. With my shoes and socks fully waterlogged, I ignored the urge to slow down and pushed ahead.

About two and a half miles in on the ever winding course, I glance to my left to see who was relatively near me. A course official says laughingly as I pass, "You've have no one to worry about." That was good to know since the constant splashing and sloshing along the course made it near impossible to be able to tell who was behind you and how close they were. Working on stride and form, I glide through the final straight stretch and across the finished line. Winded, but not all that worn out, I think I was more frustrated with having to trudge through muck and small bodies of water for about 20 minutes.

Race SWAG

Officially, I came in second overall - first in my age group - at 19:40. A little slower than what I had been looking for, but the shape of the course after several days of constant rain had a big impact. A good 45 seconds behind the winner, but still 46 seconds ahead of third place. The SWAG included a cool Columbus State Community College tote bag, decent racing technical t-shirt, excellent medal, a coupon for $15 off your next purchase at Columbus Running Company and a myriad of random whatnot.

Happy with myself, I decided to make a pit stop on the way home. Come to find out Restoration Brew Worx in Delaware opens at 11am on Saturday and I arrive at eleven on the dot. I recommend the Double Judgement DIPA and, if they have it, the jerk rubbed grouper sandwich (it was the special on this day). It is stupid good. The bar maiden on this day just so happened to be a runner as well, so we shared some good stories before the crowd made its way in.

So, I'm still running and I'm enjoying it because I'm running for me. As spring evolves and summer lies in waiting, I'm planning to keep pace with various races as they become available. Next up is the New Moon Quarter Marathon on May 27th and maybe the weather will wake up by then.

And maybe, just maybe, some good things will come with it. Run on my friends...

“The soul is like a wild animal—tough, resilient, savvy, self-sufficient, and yet exceedingly shy.” ~Parker Palmer

Age group winner's medal

Post race feast