More running tales

In two weeks I will be running my first 10k race. A few years ago I got really into running and entered into several 5ks in order to keep my self motivated to train.  This time, however, my friend and I decided to kick it up a notch.  So I've been training, using an app for my ipod and slowly working my way up to about six miles.

My route for running is a little tricky since I live on a main road with no shoulder, also every where I turn there are more and more hills.  The other issue I have been facing is that my older two boys want to train with me.  This is fantastic however, they slow me down and I'm not comfortable with leaving them behind me on these busy roads. 

Yesterday I had a brilliant idea to take them and run the track at my Alma Mater. It was dusk and they have lighting so it would be safe to bring the boys as well.  However, once I got there and was on my fifth lap, i remembered clearly why I didn't do track in high school.  It was boring as hell! Nothing about running in circles to see the same thing over and over appeals to me.  By then, the boys were also pooped and bored so they took their tennis balls and hit the courts.  This gave me the opportunity to run the grounds at the school.  Luckily, there are four schools on one connected campus so I was able to get in a good run. The grounds keeper kept his watchful eye on me in case I had a can of spray paint tucked in my running shorts, but otherwise it was a peaceful run.  No dogs jumping out at me, no cars swerving because they were texting and my boys had a great time!  The other plus is that I can take my new side by side double stroller there and still get in a good run!

So no more excuses!! 

Further down the road

My summer has been filled with music this year!  I am extremely spoiled having Bethel Performing Arts Center, only 45 mins away from my house!  Last night I took my baby sister to see Further.

Who?
Further. 
Who?
The remaining members of the Grateful Dead.
Ohhhh!!

As a late bloomer, I got into the Grateful Dead in 1992, just a year shy of the passing of Jerry Garcia.  So I never had the privilege of seeing them in concert.  When the opportunity came to see Further, I took it.  In my work place, its hard not to get caught up in the hippie vibe!!


As we arrived early to catch the scene, we were immediately struck by the sense of community happening in the parking lot.  It was as if, there was a whole other society going on right then and there.  Every where you looked people were on blankets, eating, drinking smoking and relaxing.  There were vendors in the parking lot set up out of their cars or vans selling tie-dyes or hand made hemp jewelery.  One guy had a huge basket with home made cookies for sale. (I told my sister NOT to eat anything!)

Inside it was a similar scene without the vendors.  Families with small children played in the shade, and the crowd was a mixture of old and young.  What was nice to see were some of the original people who attending Woodstock back in '69. They were easy to tell apart.  What I found interesting was the various paths they all took.  There were the hippie - yuppies, the hippie-bikers, the hippie-heroine users, the hippie=grandparents and the good old fashion country hippies. 

The show was a dancing fest, and everyone was just relaxed and care free.  I told my sister that this would be the closest we would ever get to experiencing what went on there in '69.  You could just feel the history!

Each concert I see there, reminds me of the beautiful spot they picked so long ago that has become a multi-million dollar enterprise! I'm not sure that is what they had in mind, but it works.  And as we were walking to our car, I witnessed more than one concert goer, picking up garbage and throwing it out. Which made me think that the original ideas are still out there and this is a place that they all can become one community!

Wordless Wednesday - Picking Mint