Craig's OTHER List: 2019

Monday, December 30, 2019

Mascot Thugs, Miles & Harmony

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. In the employment arena, these things fall under the "others duties as assigned" file. They can be frustrating and/or embarrassing, but if you just do what's asked of you without making a scene - you will be rewarded in the long run.

L & C - The Holiday version.

As part of my employment at the library, I am asked to dress as our giant blue owl mascot on occasion. The playful eight-foot tall bird of prey is a lovable character adored by children and appreciated by parents. The library is asked on a regular basis for the mascot to make appearance at various events and we are all too happy to oblige as long as the event is an opportunity to promote the library and our services.

In December, a senior center near one of our branches was holding their annual Breakfast with Santa event and the library would be there with a craft for the kids. In an effort to add to the fun, our mascot of nocturnal nature would be there to further enhance the morning fun. On this Saturday morning, my co-worker Scott was busy setting up the craft table and greeting the folks who know him well. I, fully clad in the cobalt suit of foam rubber armor, began the playful antics expected of our giant feathered talisman.

The mascot doesn't speak and movement above the waist for the person acting as our feathered representative is very limited. Add in the super small meshed "windows" of sight and you have what can sometimes be a struggle. But if you are familiar with your surroundings and listen, you can get around without too much trouble. On this day, we stayed in section of the cafeteria-area without random obstructions and I could get around without trampling on any humans or falling into someone's tasty breakfast.

The senior center keep the event organized and fun, and made it festive by playing holiday music on a piano accompanied by an accordion. The holiday craft table manned by Scott was a hit and our owl mascot was the pied piper who led kids to it. Soon some of the parents were coming over to great and interact with our over-sized adorable library representative. When the crowd would dwindle a bit, I...er...I mean "the owl" - would pose for pictures, sit on Santa's lap and take part in the full festivities.

Our house, in the festive mood

One of those times when I was free to roam, my mascot masquerade evolved into dancing with myself to the beat of whatever Christmas tune was being played - I was still performing and had to act the part. At about this time, I feel a tug on my arm ( I mean, "wing") and the phrase, "You poor thing, I'll dance with you!" I turn to my right to point my pinholes of vision toward the subject to see who is attempting join my little dance party and it is one of the seniors helping with the event.

The elderly woman was all smiles and we joined hands & wings as we danced around to whatever holiday classic was exuding from the dime store band. Now, I can only really move my feet in mascot cocoon I was inhabiting but we made it work. It helped that she seemed to be stable and fluid herself. She and the humble owl made merry to everyone's delight! Then just as fast it began, it came to a sudden end.

As the holiday song we were partying to ended, my owl antics slowed down and eventually to a stop. Though, my holiday dancing partner had a harder time grasping the momentum shift. As I came to a halt, my winged-hands let go of the elderly dancing queen and she - too - released her grip on this youthful spectacle. I may have been in foam-rubber solitary confinement, but I was still able to control my movement....she could not.

Whiskey & Jameson using me as a chair
or my life after being banished for the
the senior center Christmas carnage

Upon letting go, my tiny window of vision continued turning to the right. From that point I hear a thud. It was the recognizable sound of a human body falling onto a concrete floor followed by the slightest tremor, though this was not produced by the shaking of the Earth's surface. It was created by the collective gasps of the 15 to 20 revelers who were witnessing what seemed to be the Breakfast with Santa muscle, Luca Brasi the owl mascot, putting the finishing touches on a party-goer who had pushed it one December ballad too far.

The lady who was dancing with my gentle giant impression had come to a stop, but her feet had not become set. So when we simultaneously let go of one another, the only thing that could stop her Leaning Tower of Pisa impression was the mortared floor below. I turn my line of sight back toward the sound of the human body collapse and she is on the floor in a heap, surrounded by horrified seniors and family members. Luckily, my owl covered face could not be seen because I mouthed a long string of obscenities out of shear panic and anxiousness that I'm sure - if audible - would have stopped a number of the frail, yet still beating, hearts huddled around us.

She stayed on the floor for a moment or two, then was helped up by those around here. She was stunned, but smiling. I gave her a hug as she laughed and told me she was okay. Apparently, the thin layer of trampled carpet covering the floor had enough give left in it to keep her from breaking anything or concussing herself. As I breathe a sweaty sigh of relief, a nearby voice says in snarky tone, "I KNEW that was going to happen." I couldn't see who it was and wanted to say something back, but acting as the non-verbal library representative it was a good that I just wondered away - only mustering a half-hearted number one "salute" hidden by my winged hand.

Still in costume, I find my co-worker and the look on his face was - I'm sure - the same as mine: wide-eyed and struggling to lift his jaw off of his shoes. I lean into him and whisper, "When can we get out of here?"

"We have about 30 minutes left," he replies as his voice cracks while looking around as if he was expecting some sort of geriatric counter attack. Shortly thereafter, he put away his table of things and I hid around the corner - out of sight - to peel the bird costume off of my perspiring body. The senior center folks thanked us for taking part in their event, but made no mention of the near elderly execution. The quiet drive home was savored, though thoughts of Final Destination-like retribution kept me from being completely relaxed.

Other than this December 7th trauma, the month was fun and holiday inspired.

**We back EVERY pair with

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I finished my competition year with a couple of 5k's. The first was the Thanksgiving Wattle on turkey day morning with L, my brother, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. It was chilly and overcast, but I felt good. It was only disappointing upon learning I was just three seconds away from breaking the 18:00 barrier. Even L did reasonably well as she was also recovering from a stress fracture in her foot.

We've taken part in this race for three years now and I have gotten faster each time. Maybe 2020 will be the year I get to be a 17:00 minute turkey.

A week or so later, I had to work on the day of Traffic Panther Gary's Shalom 5k, so I signed up for the Run Santa Run 5k in Columbus the following day just to keep my running mind situated. This, too, was a chilly day but we had plenty of sun to warm us up as the race day moved along.

I ran this race just months after I started running again back in 2016 and simply ran it to break the training by myself monotony. Then I struggled to keep an even pace and finished 7th with lackluster 19:40, but at the time I was ecstatic since running was new again. On this day I really had no plan. About halfway through I had tired legs and settled on keeping a decent pace to finish out. Now I did finish with an okay for me 18:20, but I was hoping to put more of a finished on it which never happened.

With the racing year now over, L and I are looking back to what went right in 2019 and how to improve on it in 2020. As for what we needs changing, I'm not sure. I did run several half marathons, maybe a few less of them and more intermediate races.

Maybe we should schedule more destination, weekend getaway races. The Goodyear Half back in August (two weeks before our wedding) was one of those, returning to a city I worked in several years ago when I was still in broadcasting. We also went to South Haven, Michigan for L's birthday, stood on a frozen solid Lake Michigan and ran a 5k back in February. As long as we can avoid injuries, we should be able find a couple of things to entertain ourselves.

My goal for this year was to garner some PR's and run more miles than 2018. So, I lowered half marathon best twice and it now sits at 1:23:54 thanks to the Capital City Half in April . Though I did best my 2018 PR four separate times this year (Athens Half, Capital City, Goodyear Half & Nationwide Children's Half). My 10k PR is now at 36:59 and have to thank CRC Westerville Teammate John for it as he pulled me through the first five miles of the Columbus 10k in June. Oh, and don't forget lowering my mile time to 4:53 at the CRC Mile Dash in July. Even though we had the same exact time - Gary, I still beat you ;) .

As for the number of miles, in 2018 I squeezed out 1,301.32. That mark was eclipsed on December 15th and ultimately I ended 2019 with 1,357.6 (3.7 per day, 26.1 per week).

A new running year and a new running decade is ahead, I'm married and I turned 44 on December 20th. L and I have quite a bit to look forward to and can't wait see what's in store following the New Year's Eve Columbus Blue Jackets - Florida Panthers hockey game with friends Ryan & Sarah. Our eyes are open wide and with 20/20 vision - through corrective lenses, of course - we're ready to tackle another 365 with gusto...

Two Door Cinema Club - Next Year

I don't know where I

Am going to rest my head tonight

So I won't promise that I'll speak

To you today

But if I ever find

Another place, a better time

For that moment

I was never what I am

Take me to where you are

What you've become

And what you will do

When I am gone

I won't forget

Maybe someday

You'll be somewhere

Talking to me

As if you knew me

Saying, I'll be home for next year, darling

I'll be home for next year

In between the lines

Is the only place you'll find

What you're missing

That you didn't know was there

So when I say goodbye

You must do your best to try

And forgive me this weakness

This weakness

'Cause I don't know what to say

Another day

Another excuse to be sent your way

Another day

Another year

Maybe someday

You'll be somewhere

Talking to me

As if you knew me

Saying, I'll be home for next year, darling

I'll be home for next year

And maybe sometime

In a long time

You'll remember

What I had said there

I said, I'll be home for next year, darling

I'll be home for next year

If you think of me

I will think of you

Maybe someday

You'll be somewhere

Talking to me

As if you knew me

Saying, I'll be home for next year, darling

I'll be home for next year

Maybe sometime

In a long time

You'll remember

What I had said there

I said, I'll be home for next year

Maybe someday

You'll be somewhere

Talking to me

As if you knew me

Saying, I'll be home for next year, darling

I'll be home for next year

Photos 2019

Holy crap, we're MARRIED!

At the Fantastic Frigid 5k Series

Post run grocery shopping, the definition
of "suave".

At the Choo Choo 9 Miler & 5K

Dancing with the fishes at East Harbor State Park

Goofing off on the Ohio Wesleyan University Campus.

At our favorite hangout, Staas Brewing.

Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, Michigan

Storm cell moving in - South Haven, Michigan

From the honeymoon in South Haven, Michigan.

One of our many August wedding photos

My impression of myself after eating the
enormous amount of holiday treats from

work, family and in our house

L & I and some members of the RunWalkDelaware
group, Teresa and CRC Westerville Teammate Ken,
at the group Christmas Party.

At the RunWalkDelaware Christmas Party at the
garage-turned party shack next door to us.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Unstuffing the Helmet Slinging Turkey

There haven't been many years where we have had significant snowfall in November, but this year we seem to have skipped Autumn all together.

The backyard of The Fermented Firefly (AKA: Our House)

Sure we get flurries every year, but most accumulation comes closer to December. Only a few times can I remember getting a decent snowfall prior to Thanksgiving. Though, that's exactly what we were honored with this year. It went from 50 degrees to four inches of the white stuff and school closings in under 24 hours. The arctic wave that strolled through the U.S. November 9th through the 13th found itself in Ohio the evening of the 11th. I drove home from work during it's infancy and by the time L & I ate dinner, we had a full on snowfall.

Being folks who enjoy the change of seasons, what did we do to celebrate? We went out in it, of course. We strolled around our neighborhood and goofed off like a couple of kids before heading in for the night. The following morning was just as pretty, though driving north to work was less than desirable. Most roads were relatively clear, but the nut jobs who can't drive when the wind blows to hard or the when sun is too bright found it upon themselves to navigate with their eyes closed.

Even at work I had to keep reminding myself it was only mid-November, despite the feeling it was late December or the first month of the third decade of the 2000's. Nonetheless, we were forced to rejoin the fun that is training in the snow under the cover of nightfall.

It was a bit ironic that we had signed up for the Columbus Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k the week before when we simply expected it to be less than warm. Though it has "warmed up" to temperatures of 40 degrees instead of the teens - around the time of the snow - were still dodging some banks of snow and ice.

Even more weird was the fact we had moved most of our summer outdoor furniture and belongings into the basement from the carport just the day before as well as preparing our garden beds for hibernation. That carport was covered with snow the next night thanks to the blowing snow.

Did we know something others didn't? Did we have some sort of seasonal premonition? No, we just happen to live in Ohio. This is nothing new to us. Although, running a 15k would be something new for L. I was only hoping to improve at a distance I haven't had much experience with. L, on the other hand, would be stepping up from what had been her longest distance - the 10k.

Beers at Staas Brewing - Milk Stout
& Sage IPA

The Thursday night before, L & I had dinner at a nearby establishment then wandered across the street to Staas Brewing to watch the Browns & Steelers beat the crap out of each other. We left at halftime since it had been a long day, but the night and morning ended up being longer then we had hoped for. Both us tossed and turned as what we had eaten seemed to whirl around our stomachs like Myles Garrett swinging Mason Rudolph's helmet like a cat o' nine tails.

Upon getting up Friday morning, everything I had eaten decided to evacuate itself from it's gastric prison - utilizing both unguarded exits. It was, as you can imagine, an unpleasant experience, but I felt better immediately thereafter. We more than likely will not be going back to this eatery anytime soon, but the experience didn't ruin the weekend like the rest of Garrett's season. Because, hey, we still had a race to run... and some edible non-tainted food to eat...

**We back EVERY pair with

FREE Replacements if Lost or Broken**

**Each order also secures 11 meals

to fight hunger through

Feeding America**

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In recent years, most of the races (if not all) in November for us have been 5k's. This year I wanted to add something to that traditional Thanksgiving Day 3.1 miler and challenge myself a bit more. Having added more and more distance to her repertoire, L joined in following an awesome 10k trail race finish just two three weeks before. Exuding confidence, we were ready to tackle Columbus in November.

Our race route

The route for this race would be a conglomeration of portions of the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon, AEP Ohio Columbus 10K and the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon. And not to mention it circles a neighborhood I used to live and and work, so this would be more than familiar territory for me.

We had a clear sky, but it was cold. Bouncing around to keep warm in the corral well before full sun & 28 degrees, a participant next to me wearing chicken-head shaped winter head gear with full face-shield leans over to me, "What time does the race start?"

Noticing he is also glancing over to the line-up of port-a-johns, "Starts at 7:30 dude, you have plenty of time."

Not sure if he's running the 5k or 15k as we were all mixed together, I also wanted to suggest he ditch the chicken head but I keep it to myself.

Just before we get to the countdown and I look back to see a sliver of L in the corral behind me. She looked ready, so was I. At the gun I tag along behind a few faces I recognize but don't go with them for fear of going out to fast (like always). I keep my self in check, but push a little to warm some chilly muscles. Within a couple of minutes, the lead groups have weeded out the pretenders and on the declining straight stretch along South High Street I can see everyone in front of me (mile one: 6:01). There looks to be about 20 or so and everyone seems to be maintaining for now.

Battling inclines

At mile two I'm going about what I was looking for (6:09) and my goal is stick around this time for as long as I can. We turn to go around Schiller Park and two guys in front of me utilize the fuel stop. I pick out the last person at the stop to get a gulp of sports drink and just as I reach for the cup she's hold out she - looking behind me - drifts back to get a better look at those oncoming and unbeknownst to her pulls the cup away from my reaching hand.

She turns back just as I whiff at it, "Oh no! I'm so sorry!"

A little perturbed, but this happens to me at least once a race. It was early and I was hurting.

I pass dude in blue as we complete the Schiller Park loop and head back north along High Street (6:14). The long straight stretch incline shows the leaders well ahead and those within sight are scattered about. Passing the majority of the participants still heading south I see Traffic Panther Sarah and she throws out some encouragement.

Moments later, I see L and we congratulate one another on our efforts. I hear heavy footsteps coming from my rear and as he passes I see it is the dude in blue. He suddenly found another gear, but he's pounding the ground hard. Finally getting a swig of sports drink from a volunteer who is paying attention at mile four (6:18) and I slow a bit as the incline gets a bit longer and with the benefit of a nice decline on the other side.

Finally turning left off of High Street toward Goodale Park, an officer on foot has directed an SUV to follow him onto the course. It doesn't stay off to the side, but rather is directly in the middle of the one lane that's open. As it creeps along, I drift left to go around it and purposely bang my hand on the driver's side door, "Get off the course!"

As I pass, I hear the officer from behind me, "He' just trying to get around the event, sir."

"I don't care, get'em off the course," I say as there are hundreds of ways to get around the area without driving through the race (mile 5: 6:40).

Along the downhill the 5k & 15k races, which have been running side-by-side, split. At this point, those ahead are a good 20 to 30 seconds off and I'm running by myself up Neal Avenue passing the neighborhood I once lived in (mile 6: 6:04). Just before we reach the left turn onto West Fifth Avenue, I'm passed and keep pace with him to the water stop on Fifth. He heads to the fueling station volunteers on the left, I drift to those on my right. As I grab a cup on the go, I see he has come to a dead stop to refuel.

I find this odd and continue on, though within moments I heard oncoming footsteps. As the runner passes I notice it isn't the gentleman who had stopped, but someone else. At mile seven (6:23) the dude who stopped before returns and passes me again. We turn south on Olentangy River Road and pick it up to keep the two ahead within reach. We have gained on two a little further ahead as we now have full sun and are running direction into it (mile 8: 6:24).

L finishing

We turn left onto a small hill on Goodale Street which then declines and evolves into Vine Street. Here a longer incline begins and those in front drift further ahead. I'm not catching anyone, just hoping to finish strong. We meet back up along side the 5k finishers (mile 9: 6:33), circle around Nationwide Arena and finish on a nice decline in shade of the surrounding downtown sports venue and buildings. My watch indicates the 15k was a bit long (9.4 instead of 9.3) and I'm in at 59:11. I'm sure I could have finished a bit better, but hard to complain with 17th place overall and finishing first in my age group.

The post race celebration was also mostly in the shade of the buildings as it was still just 8:30. I slowly head toward the gear check tent to grab our things while recovering from the gauntlet and I notice a burning sensation the right side of my jaw. I take of my glove to inspect and find the sweat on that side of my face is in the beginning stages of freezing. No, it wasn't cold at all on this day.

I get our things and put on my warm jacket and throw the hood over my head while walking back over to the finish area to wait for L under the beautiful ornate arch remnant from Columbus' once grand - but now gone - Union Station. She arrives before too long and is tired, yet ecstatic, with a 1:25:23 finish in her longest race ever (by three miles) and just two weeks after an awesome finish in a 10k trail race. This is a great step toward her goal of running her first 13.1 miler at the Athens Ohio Half Marathon next April. We went straight home and ordered a pizza. The rest of our Sunday was spent crashed on the sofa and watching football with one eye open.

The season of night running is upon us with lights, reflectors and headlamps all aglow. I think running when you can see less makes the experience go faster and more personally fulfilling, like navigating a tunnel. You can focus more and block out all of the lingering remnants that don't make much sense or are there to distract you. That's what it's all about: putting in the work, enjoying yourself and not worrying about what happens when the clock strikes midnight.....

The Airborne Toxic Event - Sometime Around Midnight

And it starts

Sometime around midnight

Or at least that's when

You lose yourself

For a minute or two

As you stand

Under the bar lights

And the band plays some song

About forgetting yourself for a while

And the piano's this melancholy sound check

To her smile

And that white dress she's wearing

You haven't seen her

For a while

But you know

That she's watching

She's laughing, she's turning

She's holding her tonic like a crux

The room suddenly spinning

She walks up and asks how you are

So you can smell her perfume

You can see her lying naked in your arms

And so there's a change

In your emotions

And all of these memories come rushing

Like feral waves to your mind

Of the curl of your bodies

Like two perfect circles entwined

And you feel hopeless, and homeless

And lost in the haze

Of the wine

And she leaves

With someone you don't know

But she makes sure you saw her

She looks right at you and bolts

As she walks out the door

Your blood boiling

Your stomach in ropes

And when your friends say what is it

You look like you've seen a ghost

And you walk

Under the streetlights

And you're too drunk to notice

That everyone is staring at you

And you so care what you look like

The world is falling

Around you

You just have to see her

And you know that she'll break you in two

More Photos

Our cars the morning after the snow dump

Just before the avalanche

Our house

Our street

From my work window Tuesday morning

The drive home on Monday night

Our front yard

Our backyard

Our neighbor's house

Our front step, in the early stages.

Our street

Our street, again

Concentration

L means business

Finishing

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

The Best Record Store Urgent Care in Pittsburgh

Last Christmas, L's gift to her brother, Chris, was a day he could select to go to any vintage/used record store he wanted. Now living in Steubenville (Ohio), Chris decided upon a trip to Pittsburgh.

Steel manufacturing at night along the
Ohio river

With the steel city just 40 miles from Chris, L and I made a weekend of it by heading down to stay with him. On Friday, we drove through Rayland (Ohio) to visit Hightower Brewing Company before getting to Steubenville. The following morning, we drove to the Pittsburgh area to visit the Attic Record Store in nearby Millvale, PA and visit a couple of breweries.

The last time I was in Pittsburgh, it was 2005, I was turning 30, working in radio in Canton, Ohio and took a tour of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute's Le Cordon Bleu Program deep in the heart of the golden triangle. I was seriously examining a career change and cooking school was something I really wanted to do. The cost, unfortunately, kept me from moving forward ($40,000 for an 18 month program) - not to mention the few thousand I still owed from getting my broadcasting degrees.

I think I received a follow up phone call from them at least once a month for the next two years, asking when I thought I could start taking classes. The program has since closed, but I still wonder if I made the right call or what might have evolved had I threw caution a bit harder into the wind. Sure, my time in broadcasting came and went and - perhaps - the same would have been true with the cooking school route. Though, it is fun to wonder what it would have been like to further my cooking prowess in the shadow of the three rivers and where it might have taken me.

Anyway, we find the record store and it's massive inventory. For a music geek like Chris, he could browse for hours. He and L went digging for treasure while I casually glanced around for a short time. I then stepped outside and browsed the neighborhood in search of a restroom. Luckily the nearby restaurant/pharmacy combination had one for public use (Pamela's P & G Diner). I continued on and before I realized it I had walked right into a brewery partly facilitated by a dude I used to play Sunday morning flag football with in Columbus.

Take home from Grist House

Originally from PA, Dan was among the original six to eight guys we played with regularly years ago. He moved back to Pittsburgh and helped start a brewery (Grist House), among other things. It was funny to walk right to it by happen chance and figured we would stop by later as I headed back to find to L and Chris. Once at the record store, L isn't feel well and soon needed to seek medical attention as a precaution. We left Chris to his own devices as he continued to salivate over mountains of music.

She drove while I navigated us to the nearest urgent care. I felt sorry for her, as she tried to keep herself calm listening to my directions while attempting to maneuver Pittsburgh's crowded & unfamiliar streets and rolling hills. More than once she over analyzed my directions and attempted to do nearly the exact opposite (something she tends to do when stressed or frustrated). Having to talk her off the ledge and get her to relax a little, we finally made it. Luckily, it was not a busy day at the medical facility - we were in and out in about 30 minutes. She received a prescription for the stomach bug that hit her and the pharmacy was just a block a way, but it wouldn't be ready for nearly an hour.

She stayed at the pharmacy while I then drove through the maze back to the record store to get Chris and return. He was waiting outside when I arrived with a cache of new sounds. Upon retrieving L from the pharmacy and we returned to the Millvale area to eat and browse some breweries. On the return trip, L (feeling a bit better) is in the backseat questioning the route I was taking. I give her the stink eye via the rear view mirror and after a second inquisition as to the direction I was taking, Chris chimed in, "I think he knows where he's going considering this is the fourth time he's taken this route in the last hour."

Letting what Chris said sink in, L realized she could relax as I was now familiar with the surroundings. She sheepishly smiles and adds, "Um...Love You!"

We stopped by Strange Roots Experimental Ales for some food and drink first. While there I messaged Dan and while he wouldn't be at Grist House till much later, he thought it was way cool I had found his place by total accident and offered some suggestion as to what we should try while there. We stopped by and sampled somethings before heading out to a place L had wanted to visit, Hop Farm Brewing, a cool pub a bit hidden way.

Shortly thereafter, we drove back to Steubenville listening to a portion of Chris' new collection of music with some Pittsburgh area beers for future enjoyment. Along the way Dan apologized for missing us at his place, but did say we needed to meet up the next time he made it back to the Columbus area. I, too, let him know we would coordinate a return with him in the near future as well.

As always, the trip turned out to be much more than we bargained for. Seriously, who wouldn't enjoy vintage music, beer, urgent care visits and restaurant/pharmacy bathrooms?

Well look at that, it is finally fall and the 40th Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon has returned. I will be taking part in my third half marathon portion of this event. It had gotten a bit cool as of late, but it isn't that it has been out of the ordinary. It's just that it was summer-like warm for much longer than we expected and the sudden change to what it should fee like was quick and surprising. This meant we would have real fall weather for the event, bringing back fond memories of those high school and collegiate cross country seasons of the past.

If you haven't taken part in this event, the start is an awesome blood pumping experience as AC/DC's Thunderstruck blares - shaking you to your core - as the final minutes count down to the gun time.

**We back EVERY pair with

FREE Replacements if Lost or Broken**

**Each order also secures 11 meals

to fight hunger through

Feeding America**

We are an independent sunglasses company for those who don't want to buy from a massive, faceless company that has been operating the same way for decades

shadyrays.com

In just my second attempt at a half marathon in 2017, I finished 303 out of 9,633 in 1:37:06. Last year, I re-aggravated a calf strain at mile ten and finished 136 out of 9,112 in 1:27:16. Having eclipsed the 1:24 barrier last April, could I come close to that here in 2019? At the very least, the weather would cooperate as we had a cool breeze and a 50 degree temperature to kick us off. In the corral, a handful of familiar faces are ready to take off with me.

From the outset I worked my way out of the glut of competitors and made it to the outside to get the legs moving. I didn't feel like I was going to fast, but the legs were loose and I was comfortable. Making our way to Broad Street I find a small group to tag along with and at mile one I was surprised with a 6:02. Typically, way to fast for mile one but I didn't feel as if it was - I would be slowing down a bit in the coming miles but everything was feeling good.

Approaching mile, two and suddenly from my left side I hear, "Hey, congrats on the wedding!"
Its CRC Westerville Teammate Jared who we haven't seen much of lately as he and his wife have been busy with a pair of small children. We exchange a handful of wedding related comments and continue on. He is usually much faster than I, so I attempt to keep him within eyesight for as long as I can. The next three miles on the long straight stretch are fluid (6:17, 6:16, 6:19) and those I have chosen to follow are still nearby. Though Jared is much further ahead, but I can at least see him.

Look hard, the guy on the left is looking
directly in the camera and smiling. I
hate him.

Making sure to alternate water & Gatorade at the fuel stations seems to be paying off. It isn't too hot, or too cold and it isn't breezy - the conditions are perfect. It now comes down to physical make-up and mindset. Just before mile five I see an onlooker cross the course through a decent sized gap between runners from left to right. The onlooker then turns back to the course, start his watch and joins in along side me - it's CRC Westerville Teammate John who is there as a spectator.

"I thought I'd join you for few minutes. How are ya feelin'!", he asks.

"I'm feeling good, can't complain at the moment", I reply as it was a nice boost to the ego to have a familiar face join to help pace along with.
After a couple of minutes of chit chat, "Man, you are going too fast for me."

Jokingly, "I'm sorry, I can slow down for you,"
He laughs, "Oh, no. Don't do that, you are doing good. I'm going to drop back and run along with some others (teammates). Good luck."

I nod and he trails off course. At mile five I'm at 6:22 and the handful of folks I've attempted to tag along with are a bit further ahead. Working through my mechanics and reviewing the familiar course in my head, I attempt to determine how to navigate the second half (mile six: 6:20). A bit of an incline covers mile seven and I'm trailing off a bit (6:35), but this is typical for me - just as long as the ensuing miles don't also trail off.

I'm able to make it up the next two miles (6:27, 6:24) I'm now working on tagging along with a couple of stronger runners as we tackle the final 5K (6:30). I catch a glimpse of L and hear, "Keep it up, your at PR pace!" Around Schiller Park we go and what has been my demise the last two years comes into view - the long, rolling hill straight stretch back north along High Street. They aren't huge inclines by any means, but from a distant the horizon looks intimidating. In the past, this is where everyone and their brother passes me.

Tired, I put my head down and work my elbows through my knees, looking up occasionally to gauge how far those I'm trailing are ahead of me. I've slowed significantly, but fewer folks are drifting by than in previous years along miles 11 & 12 (6:37, 6:45). The mile thirteen downhill is a welcome sight as I let the legs and arms flow free and the half marathon & marathon split becomes visible.

Not to make fun, but I can't imagine running past the split and watching folks turn to finish the half marathon while I still have another 13.1 miles to navigate. This would be psychological torture for me, kudos to those who tackle the full marathon. It just isn't my thing.

Turning left through the split and I attempt to keep my final mile momentum (6:27), cruising through the finish at 1:24:57 - good enough for 94th overall and 6th in my age group. There would be no overall PR this time, but it was for this course by 2 1/2 minutes. A much better result at an event that has not been my friend the last two years. My favorite number is regarding the Passed & Passed By statistics this race tabulates. These numbers are taken at the 7k mark, the 15k mark and the finish. Most important in my opinion are the number of those who Passed By me in the last segment. In 2017, that number was 73, in 2018 it was 13 and this year it was 9.

Upon finishing L and I made our way home and had planned to go out later on in the day, but instead we crashed. Both of us fell asleep for a while, then simply watched football the rest of the afternoon. We don't know if it was because we had been up since 6am, or because we had spent the entire day before visiting Rock Bridge State Nature Preserve and Double Edge Brewing Company. Either way, it made for a long - yet fun - weekend.

With the Daylight Saving Time for 2019 coming to an end, we are now digging out those headlamps, flashlights and reflective vests - not to mention the hats, gloves and tights. And the CRC Tuesday Night Track group has only a few more meet-ups left before calling it quits for the season. I missed the most recent one due to the struggle to get there on time and with enough daylight. The October 15th Democratic Presidential Debate took place at Otterbein University, just two miles from our track workout location and getting there would have been impossible, so I did my own work out at the middle school near our house instead.

No need to be sad, seasons change and lucky enough they return as well. We all need a deep freeze to renew and rejuvenate ourselves. It's the only way we can come back stronger, stronger than ever before...

The Beta Band - Dry The Rain

This is the definition of my life

Lying in bed in the sunlight

Choking on the vitamin tablet

The doctor gave in the hope of saving me

In the hope of saving me

Walked in the corner of the room

A junk yard fool with eyes of gloom

I asked him time again

Take me in and dry the rain

Take me in and dry the rain the rain

The rain the rain the rain now