Run Log: April 2014

Oh, it's the last day of April...didn't weigh myself this morning {probably a good thing}.  I'll catch that at the end of May.
It's been a good run month that is ending with a sore calf.  UGH.  I had a great race in the 10-mile drop to start the race season and am looking forward to the West End Y 5K this Sunday.  Two 5K's on the schedule for May...and the "Hill, Yeah" half coming in June.
For that hilly half, I started training hills.  It's 12 miles to go to 307 to 528 to Doty/South River Road to County Line home.  South River & the south part of County Line are HILLY!  That old bridge over the river is way down at the bottom of the valley.  I upped my mileage from 9 to 12...and I think that's where I went wrong for my right calf.  There's a knot deep in there...I'm working it out & hope it gets better ~ not worse.
I'm pretty psyched about running those hills.  I feel like SUCH A BEAST when I run right up them {being honest...I'm like 9:20 minute miles up them...but I still feel like a beast}.
It's gone from being a surprise when I win my age group...to something I'm starting to expect out of myself.  I want to race for fun, but it's also cool to do so well.  I just don't want it to be a disappointment if I don't win.  I don't want to loose the fun of running and racing.  What a problem, I know.

April’s Totals:

95.30 miles for the month {only 13.42 miles from doubling my Jan-Feb effort}
303.36 miles for the year 

382.65 miles for my bright blue Brooks ~ I wasn't planning on replacing these until after my June half...but, now that I see the total, I wonder if they will make it.  They are still really comfy.  So I'll see how they do.  I hate to have to buy a new pair of shoes too close to the race.  You need a few weeks to wear them in before you run 13.1 in them.

1 mile swimming

60 miles biking

Didn't start more swimming...Sort of dropped out of kickboxing and yoga.  I miss the yoga ~ Tennis is getting in the way of those classes...but I need to figure out the cross training part.  It's toooooo easy to just run.

Training for:  Lake Health Half Marathon {Hill, Yeah} on June 15

My WEIGHT:  Didn't even weigh myself.  My shorts from last summer don't fit me {but my pants are ok...????} and I haven't been able to say no to a cookie or a Reese's Egg for the past few weeks.  Today I was good and didn't eat any sweets.  I did go to Compadre's for dinner...but I say no to cookies and candy.  HELP  I have a sugar problem.

Some interesting facts:

Longest run this month: 12.26 very hilly miles.
Favorite place to run this month: County Line Bridge.  I am a BEAST.
# of books I read this month: for the record: two.  In real life: 3.  I finished one last week and have yet to write my review...too busy eating cookies.
Monthly mileage record: 155.46 ~ August 2013!  WOW
Highest mileage ever-at-one-time:  26.2 ~ October 13, 2013 ~ Northern Ohio Marathon
Toenail color:  Probably the same French manicure I had last month.  It's pretty chipped & I think I'll go redo it now.

PR's:
5K: 22:45 (Rabbit Run 10/30/11~ but I think it was a short course)
10K: 52:02 (Cleveland 5/15/11)
10-miler: 1:21:29 (Hermes Cleveland 10-miler 4/28/12)
half-marathon: 1:47:35 (Cleveland Half 5/19/2013)
marathon: 4:01:04 (Northern Ohio Marathon 10/13/2013)

ready to bloom

Spring is coming to Madison, Ohio

the sun is shining & some how things are

starting to bloom

Bruuuuuuuuce

4/22/14 Bruce Springsteen at Consol Engery Center in Pittsburgh, PA.  The second time that Ag & I have made the drive to PA to see the Boss.  First time was the end of the Wrecking Ball tour...this time it was the beginning of the High Hopes tour.  He went to Cincinnati, Columbus & Pittsburgh.  UGH...where's the CLE love?

Started in crazy Cleveland traffic, picking up Max @ work.  The parking lot attendant made fun of my 'white girl' name.  Seriously.  I've never felt so put down about by name before...weird.

We arrived in Pittsburgh a little after 7:30 with about 2 gallons of gas left in the tank. {yeah, that becomes an issue}

First picture is of the lady who K handed her credit card to so scan for our tickets.  Kirsten said, "I've never done this before; I hope it works."  The lady says, "Me neither.  We could be in trouble."  It was so funny. K didn't even know what to say :)  The second is the Bruce selfie...with Max, Ag & me.

The review:

Bruce singing "The Promise"  He was pretty amazing on the keyboard, considering he's a guitar player.

Patty was at the show {first time I've seen her in a long time}, but Steve wasn't.  No mention of where he was, but Nil was so funny & Tom Morello was amazing.  K made the comment that she bet he never at any moment when he was with Rage Against the Machine think he'd ever be part of the E Street Band.  I love their voiced together & Ghost of Tom Joad is just amazing. 

 The past 5 or 6 shows have all been the best show ever...this one was great, but didn't quite reach that level for me.  That said, it was definately worth the price of admission & the two hour drive.  I certainly hope he comes to CLE in the fall.  Waiting for the magic tour date announcement. Love Bruce Springsteen. (still waiting to hear Sherry Darling live.

Show began at 8:15 p.m.

Set list
1. Clampdown (The Clash cover, tour premiere)
2. Badlands
3. Johnny 99
4.Stand On It (tour premiere)
5. Seven Nights to Rock
6. High Hopes
7. Just Like Fire Would
8. Hungry Heart
9. I Wanna Be With You (sign request, tour premiere)
10. Back In Your Arms (sign request)
11. Wrecking Ball
12. The Promised Land
13. Youngstown
14. Lonesome Day
15. Mary's Place
16. The Ghost of Tom Joad
17. Radio Nowhere
18. The Rising
19. Land of Hope and Dreams

Encores:
20. The Promise (solo piano)
21. The Wall
22. Born in the USA
23. Light of Day (with Joe Grushecky)
24. Frankie Fell in Love (with Joe Grushecky)
25. Born To Run
26. Dancing in the Dark
27. Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
28. Shout
29. Dream Baby Dream (solo on the pump organ)

Over at 11:23 p.m.

For the first time ever, we left as they were lining up after Shout...and I missed Dream Baby Dream {not my favorite song, but booooo on leaving early ~ MAX}

and then the trip home began with us frantically searching for an open gas station at 11:30pm.  Finally found one...but we were EMPTY.

My BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN History
 I've seen him in concert:
1. The Born in the USA Tour July 9, 1984 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum
2. The Tunnel of Love Express Tour March 14, 1988 ~ at the Richfield Coliseum 
3. The "Other Band" Lucky Town/Human Touch tour August 22, 1992 ~at the Richfield Coliseum (Mike's first show)
4. The Reunion Tour November 14, 1999 ~ at The Gund Arena 
5. The Rising Tour August 14, 2002 ~ at The Gund Arena
6. The Devils and Dust Tour May 15, 2005 ~ at The Wolstein Center (CSU) 
7. The Working on a Dream Tour November 10, 2009 ~at Quicken Loans Arena (same place as The Gund)  ~ where he played this song, just for me.  (Mike's second chance show)
8. The Wrecking Ball Tour April 12, 2012 ~ at Quicken Loans Arena ~ Best Show Ever 
9. The Wrecking Ball Tour October 27, 2012 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
10. The High Hopes Tour April 22, 2014 ~ at Consol Energy Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Waiting for show #11

JB tennis

The starting lineup of the 2014 MHS boys tennis.  Jacob barton ~ sophomore @ second singles.

And finally on 4/22/14 his first victory.

run it off

It's 9:00 and I just got back from my run.  I had to go run this day off.  UGH.  I'm unsettled.  I remember one year ago this Patriot's Day feeling the same way.  Some yahstick had just exploded homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon...it was so unthinkable; I had to go run.  Today I had the same kind of feeling, but I think it runs deeper than just the anniversary of the Boston bombing.
It started with another yahstick driving mach 10 in reverse out of his driveway at 7:04 this morning.  DIDN'T even glance to see if there was oncoming traffic moving west on Middle Ridge Road ~ there was! {ME}.  I slam on my breaks and hit my horn so he can slam on his breaks...we stopped inches from each other with his kid fully turned around in his seat {I'm assuming he wasn't buckled in}.  And instead of looking sheepish and apologizing, he motions for me to get moving out of his way.  Yahstick!  I really wanted to knock on his front door after school today & inform his wife of what a yahstick she lets drive her son around.  I didn't, but I wanted to.
Then there was school...At some point someone is going to have to realize that when parents don't value education, their children will most likely be left behind.  I'm just saying.  I'd love to get into the whole story...but this is a little too public, even if no one really reads my blog.
Then I get a text at 3:35 from Jacob.  We're on our way to South and I need shorts!!!!!  He was introduced by coach as "Jacob, I hope my mom gets here with my shorts, Barton"  I made it...but really?!  What happened to the kid who knew what was going on?

So a deep breath
and a 4.5 mile run

Tomorrow at this time I'll be in Pittsburgh singing along with BRUCE at my 10th Springsteen concert ~ Then it's off to Cincinnati to bring Patrick home for summer.

Life is good ~ crazy ~ but good.

Enchanted Garden

Last night we had a mini-spring break Girls Night Out.  We went to Middle Ridge Gardens {my FAVORITE nursery}to build a fairy garden.  For $10 you get a big pot or a small pot & some plants {I chose the big pot & bought more plants & a little gnome& glowy thing}
Cheryl & Alexa brought lots of little things...and I helped myself to some & I think their planning really made my fairy garden delightful. {Thank goodness for friends}
Cheryl even brought a motorcycle & I built a ramp for her so it could visit the fairies :)

A bottle of wine & the smell of flowers & dirt.  Spring is here & summer is coming.

I look forward to doing this again next year...and I'll certainly bring stuff to share.

Springing

These beautiful daffodils greated me this morning as I looked out my window.  The almost 80° weather yesterday and the 70° temperatures over night had these pretty things blooming.  What a great way to start a Monday...

I'm ignoring the fact that it's in the 50's now & we'll be lucky to be in the mid-30's tomorrow...with SNOW coming.

Gotta love Northeast Ohio weather...all four seasons in two days.

10 mile drop

A beautifully sunny warm day to run my first race of 2014.  Trained all winter in tights & jackets...and for the just the third time this year I was able to run in a skirt & t-shirt.  My neon white legs were a beacon to those around me...and no need for a reflective vest.

To keep in my spring selfie theme ~ We had to take a silly face selfie.  This may be my most favorite picture ever ~ It just makes me smile every time I see it.  Here it is in all it's glory ~ I have to keep it off Instagram as I have many middle school followers & I don't think my colleagues would appreciate the public view...but I'll post it here on my blog ~ which no one but me really looks at.  [ironic?]

Dodd convinced me {really twisted my arm} to start in the front of the pack.  That kid in the Achilles Running tank actually started behind me ~ {I know, who do I think I am?} But this is a really cool picture of the start...and I'm kinda famous {in my own mind} running in the front.  {a redeeming fact...another Achilles Running tank guy finished just three minutes before me}

I'm smiling in this picture because I can see the finish line...and John was saying, "smile, Becky."

It's changed a little since the race-time feedback ~ but it still says: 1st 

My winner's loot (the crazy water bottle & a $15 coupon for a pair of newtons...maybe Mike wants some Newtons)

10 Miles is a great distance.  It's long...but not too long.  I did not PR & that hill in Grand River (in mile 8) is a KILLER.  This was a great race {not enough port-a-potties, but I'm not afraid of the woods} and they had PANCAKES at the end :)

My first NERC points :)

#9 Wonder

#9 {and #2 of Spring Break} is Wonder by R.J. Palacio ~ shared with me by a colleague who's note said "You'll love it!  :) Denise" and I did.  What a GREAT book to read, especially after struggling through The Goldfinch.  A DELIGHTFUL story about August and his first year at school as a fifth grader.  Auggie has facial defomaties {even though we hate that word}.  What happens to him is heartbreakingly sad, heartbreakingly tender, and heartbreakingly wonderful.  One Flaw, and I KNEW this would happen from page one SPOILER ALERT.  The damn dog dies.  {NO MORE DEAD DOGS, right Gordon Korman?}
But other than that...this is a must read.

The English teacher had monthy precepts that he posted on his board.  Only a few of them made the book, but they were all listed in the appendix.  First off, I love this concept of teaching precepts to students...helping them figure out their own 'rules of life'.  Here are some of my favorites:
p311 ~
September
When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. ~ Dr. WAyne W. Dyer

October
Your deeds are your monuments. ~ inscription on an Egyptian tomb

April
What is beautiful is good, and who is good will soon be beautiful. ~ Sappho

May
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.
~ John WEsley's Rule

August's Precept
Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life because we all overcometh the world. ~ Auggie

fl: I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid.  ll: She bent down and whispered in my ear.  "You really are a wonder, Auggie.  You are a wonder."

#8 The Goldfinch

Can you call it a good book when your thought upon finishing is, "Thank God that's over."?  I didn't hate the story.  It just went on and on and on.  775 pages of on.  Had to 'stand in line' twice to check it out twice {on my Kindle} to get it read.
A fellow teacher said it was the best book she'd read since The Help.  Yeah, no.  Not in my opinion.  #8 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt is a sad depressing tale of life gone bad.  It made me think about my beliefs ~ and my choices ~ and I was reminded of my more Pollyanna outlook...not as Gloom&Doom like this author.
It's the story of a stolen painting & the lives it intertwined.  Theo's life is destroyed & this painting holds him and keeps him...and almost destroys him again.  It just goes on and on.

Quotes:
p132 ~ pyjamas {love the spelling}

p755 ~ The interesting thing, in the photograph, was how the fragile little knock-kneed boy--smiling sweetly, pristine in his sailor suit--was also the old man who'd clasped my hand while he was dying: two separate frames, superimposed upon each other, of the same soul.

Which is really a great theme of the book ~ What is real?  What makes us us?  What is the purpose of life?  A thinking story...I just was so happy when it was over.

fl: While I was still in Amsterdam, I dreamed about my mother for the first time in years.  ll: And I add my own lover to the history of people who have loved beautiful things, and looked out for them, and pulled them from the fire, and sought them when they were lost, and tried to preserve them and save them while passing them along literally from hand to hand, singing out brilliantly from the wreck of time to the next generation of lovers, and the next.

today in my garden

70° yesterday and 50° today have given me two days of leaf removal in my flower beds.  Sore shoulders & a popped blister later...and my gardens are getting ready.
I love this time of year.  The long winter is finally giving up to spring & the proof is in the little buds that miraculously fight their way through the layers of wet, frozen leaves to show us there is hope.  I do believe that life is like that too.  There are always signs of hope fighting through the layers of crap that press down on us.
Here's today in my garden, photo journal style:

A little birdy used left over ribbon from Patrick's graduation party to build a fancy nest.  Rather joyous find.

 Crocuses ~ crocuses ~crocuses.  The first flower.  A bright living spot in the middle of a dead flower bed.  How does this little flower grow in the still cold dirt?  Does it know the joy it brings the people who see it?
There are bigger flowers and their are showier flowers, but there is none that deliver the good news of spring quite like these little guys.

This may just look like a bunch of half dead leaves...but shortly these little leaves will grow long stems with big green buds that will pop open one morning to reveal the most glorious red poppy. 

Still asleep ~ still quiet ~ in need of warmth and sun ~ and then the miracle will happen.

The weeping cherry tree and My Magnolia. 

How do those buds still form?

How were they kept from destruction during our frigid winter?

I love this little planter with the crazy hair plant.

He spent the winter burried in the snow.

Fonzi, surveying his yard & hoping for a chipmunk or squirrel to chase.

We are all thankful for the warmth.

memory lane...

Mike stumbled upon a photo album that his mom moved into the Madison house...and he found a picture he never knew existed.  Brought a grown man to tears ~ remembering that moment right after winning the 1986 state wrestling title.  The picture says it all.