Wild Wednesday

Wednesday started off EARLY with 4:30 alarm & a trip to Cleveland Hopkins Airport ~ to drop the 17 year old world traveler off for his Florida/cruise trip.  It's to the point now, that he is dropped at the door.  I did go park in the cell phone lot & wait for the text letting me know he was through security...which came less than 10 minutes later because he got to go through the TSA pre-approved line!  I hung out a little more because I wasn't expected at the Ayala's until 7:30...and who wants someone to show up before 7:30 am?  Good friends to have coffee and bagels and good conversation bright and early.

Then the girls {me, Jen & Zoe} went to the West Side Market to meet the ESL campers.  {This came about because the two kids in our math class, one day handed me a post-it on which was written "Tell Mrs. Barton about ESL camp"}  Priceless was the looks of surprise and hugs we got when the girls saw us!  I so enjoy middle school kids :)   Zoe and I had a mission to find all the gross things at the market.  She brought pen and paper so she could record them.  There were three things that made the list: 1. cow's tongue  2. a whole octopus  3. a pig head (with grosser fake eyes)  She decided that they were all equally gross and couldn't rank them.

We did buy lots of yummy things including lunch and dessert.

 

Then it was time for race number 2 of the week ~ The Flag Day 5k.  Everyone I've talked to loves this race, but yesterday was the first time I'd ever run it.  It's at Deepwood Center in Mentor and the pre-race activities include a race by the special Olympians.  So cool to cheer them on before we run the very hilly course.

 The route starts at the top, so the start is down hill...then there are two inclines, including a big up back to the top of the hill at the start of mile 3.  The last half mile is DOWN to the finish.  It's a challenging course and it was HOT and HUMID {and HILLY}.  My first mile was 7:05 (oops)  But I was able to mentally hang on & finish pretty strong {easier to do when the last .5 is downhill}  I placed first in my 45-49 age group.

I enjoyed seeing so many running people I know & running a hot evening race.  I really enjoyed the stop at DQ afterwards.  Not PR ice cream, but my friend Brenda {of the PR ice cream} says you can get first place ice cream too.
Yesterday was not good for my diet...but I think I'll survive.