I capped off a 4 mile run under a full moon tonight with a cup of coffee at Bongo Java. It almost felt like fall - 50 degrees - slightly chilly. I could see my breath as I started my run. I'll remember my run tonight in July or August, when it's 85 degrees and humid at 8 p.m.
As much as I love to run in the neighborhood at night, what I really enjoy is the walk home from Bongo Java at the end of my run. It's great to unwind after a long day and a good run with a 15 minute walk home in the dark.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Happy Birthday Cort!
Country Music Marathon & Half Marathon 2010
This morning, I ran in the 11th Annual Country Music Half Marathon. 11 years ago (has it been that long?), I ran in the inaugural marathon and most years since, I've run in the half marathon. I took the last two years off, instead strolling down to Belmont Boulevard with J.P. to watch the race.
The weather forecast was grim, so grim in fact that the race organizers put in place a contingency plan that would require marathoners running less that a 4 hour 25 minute pace to be diverted to the half marathon at mile 11. Fortunately, the rain held off until my sister, Tracy (her first and according to her, last, half marathon), and I finished the race. Severe thunderstorms on the horizon and a tornado watch did result in the marathoners being forced to stop the race early and walk to the finish line.
The start of the marathon/half marathon was emotional for me, as it always is. It's an amazing feeling to be in a corral, near the starting line, looking around at the line of runners stretching behind and in front of me. 30,000 runners registered for today's race, a record number for the event. As the race began and I turned my ipod on, I was reminded of how much I love to run.
The highlight of the race for me was seeing J.P., Jude and her parents on the way back up Belmont Boulevard, just past mile 7. I had missed them on the way out and was a little disappointed. Jude was holding J.P. and we she saw me, called my named and pointed me out to J.P., my spirits soared. I saw several other friends along the route.
Good run, overall, although it was a little slower than I'd planned, due mostly to how crowded it was. I finished right at 1:48, when I'd been hoping to run it in 1:44 - 1:46.
The weather forecast was grim, so grim in fact that the race organizers put in place a contingency plan that would require marathoners running less that a 4 hour 25 minute pace to be diverted to the half marathon at mile 11. Fortunately, the rain held off until my sister, Tracy (her first and according to her, last, half marathon), and I finished the race. Severe thunderstorms on the horizon and a tornado watch did result in the marathoners being forced to stop the race early and walk to the finish line.
The start of the marathon/half marathon was emotional for me, as it always is. It's an amazing feeling to be in a corral, near the starting line, looking around at the line of runners stretching behind and in front of me. 30,000 runners registered for today's race, a record number for the event. As the race began and I turned my ipod on, I was reminded of how much I love to run.
The highlight of the race for me was seeing J.P., Jude and her parents on the way back up Belmont Boulevard, just past mile 7. I had missed them on the way out and was a little disappointed. Jude was holding J.P. and we she saw me, called my named and pointed me out to J.P., my spirits soared. I saw several other friends along the route.
Good run, overall, although it was a little slower than I'd planned, due mostly to how crowded it was. I finished right at 1:48, when I'd been hoping to run it in 1:44 - 1:46.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Age of Innocence
Kaitlyn and John Patrick
Looking for Easter Eggs in all the Right Places
Random Acts of Kindness
Random acts of kindness. Unexpected gestures, usually small in nature, that make all the difference.
Last Sunday, Easter morning, Jude, J.P. and I got up early and greeted a beautiful spring morning by strolling together over to the Frothy Monkey on 12th Avenue. We thought "the Monkey" might be closed for the holiday, and it was, but we brought breakfast for J.P. with us, figuring we could always sit outside on the deck, at one of the many tables.
As we settled in at a table in front, facing 12th Avenue, we heard people working inside. Without warning, the front door opened and out walked the owner and local entrepeneur, Miranda Whitcomb-Pontes, with plate of muffins and pastries. After unnecessarily apologizing for being closed on Easter Sunday, she set the plate down, told us to enjoy ourselves and thanked us for walking over. Then, she went back inside to work on some small scale renovations to the interior of the coffee shop.
How do you win friends and influence people? Just like that. I frequent the Frothy Monkey a lot, as it is, and I've taken J.P. there many, many times. With a small, random act of kindness, though, Miranda has a friend for life and a customer who suddenly has become even more loyal.
If you read this post and you're in the neighborhood, stop by the Frothy Monkey for a cup of coffee or a sandwich. You won't be disappointed. Here's a link to the website - http://www.frothymonkeynashville.com/.
Also, in a week or two, Miranda's latest restaurant, Burger Up, should be open for business, also in 12South. Here's a link to an article in the Tennessean about Miranda and Burger up - http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100329/DAVIDSON/100329054/Burger-Up-ready-to-open-in-12th-Paris.
Last Sunday, Easter morning, Jude, J.P. and I got up early and greeted a beautiful spring morning by strolling together over to the Frothy Monkey on 12th Avenue. We thought "the Monkey" might be closed for the holiday, and it was, but we brought breakfast for J.P. with us, figuring we could always sit outside on the deck, at one of the many tables.
As we settled in at a table in front, facing 12th Avenue, we heard people working inside. Without warning, the front door opened and out walked the owner and local entrepeneur, Miranda Whitcomb-Pontes, with plate of muffins and pastries. After unnecessarily apologizing for being closed on Easter Sunday, she set the plate down, told us to enjoy ourselves and thanked us for walking over. Then, she went back inside to work on some small scale renovations to the interior of the coffee shop.
How do you win friends and influence people? Just like that. I frequent the Frothy Monkey a lot, as it is, and I've taken J.P. there many, many times. With a small, random act of kindness, though, Miranda has a friend for life and a customer who suddenly has become even more loyal.
If you read this post and you're in the neighborhood, stop by the Frothy Monkey for a cup of coffee or a sandwich. You won't be disappointed. Here's a link to the website - http://www.frothymonkeynashville.com/.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Springtime at Meemaw's House
J.P. and I drove down to my mom's house this morning, while Jude hosted a baby shower for her cousin, Christie. He had a great time playing with the toys my mom has accumulated, over the years, for Kaitlyn and Matthew, my niece and nephew. He was a little nervous around Gypsy, my mom's dog, especially when she barked her shrill, ear splitting bark. He warmed up to her after a while, though.
It was gorgeous outside, after some rain early in the morning. We took advantage of the nice weather and went for a walk around the neighborhood. My mom's lived in the same house in Brenthaven, an older subdivision in Brentwood, TN, for almost 38 years. It was a little sad, though, as we walked, to point out houses and remember who used to live there.
Showering!
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