It's Race Day!

Well, first I'll start with yesterday. We drove over yesterday afternoon. Once I got Gustav settled in Cleveland I drove to Hudson to meet some friends for dinner at Luchitas:

A self portrait with Maria

Self portrait with Andrea

We 3

Outside

The lights below the Valley View Bridge were pretty on the way to Kelly's house

The starting area. In my rush to grab all my stuff (it was very cold so I was layered up like the Michelin man) and meet Maria I forgot the camera, so I don't have the actual start of the race. Pffththt.

The next couple pics are taken from the same position as the flag pic above, I just rotated around. Very hilly.

Gustav came along for the ride and was a bundle of energy.

To (try to) burn off some of that energy, and to kill some time, we hiked around the Kendel Lake trail

As we approached the far side of the lake (Truxell Rd corner) we could see some runners crossing. I was only expecting to see people at the 12 ish mile mark, so I was excited to find another spot to watch. By the time we got to that corner either most everyone had passed, or there was a big gap between runners, so we continued on around the lake & planned to stop here on the 2nd loop around.

Still on the lake trail, something has been chewing on this tree

2nd loop around the lake, Truxell/Kendel lake corner again. Shortly after we arrived the lead runners came through. My camera has a bit of a delay, and these guys were whipping through, so most of my up close pics are mostly of their behinds. (Ok, yes they have nice behinds, but I didn't do it on purpose.) I just couldn't get ready fast enough, and these guys were speedy. They looked like they were having a ton of fun, and made it look so effortless, but if what they were running was anything like my trek around the lake, it was NOT easy going. These runners - all of them, both distances - are really amazing.

Self portrait while we wait for more runners

Maaaaareeeeeeaaaaaaaah! I just saw a girl named Maaareeeeaaaaaaaaah!

Here's our girl!

Posing while she pets the Beastie

An unexpected Maria sighting. I was on my way back to the finish area, and she came around this clump of trees on her way to the Salt Run trail.

There she goes

Standing in the same spot as above, only turned around looking up at the finish area on top of the Sound of Music hill

Lloyd at the finish line, waiting to greet runners

The smilie hats! Kris arrived for her volunteer shift early enough that we could chat for a few minutes.

Here she comes again! (when she's runnin' 'neath the sunny sky) Maria finishing the first loop. I left shortly after she passed through here.

He moved just as I took this pic, but someone's head was filling the rear view mirror for most of the drive.

Poor Jack was severely upset by our absence and wouldn't eat (even peanut butter) or do anything. Dh had to drag him to get him outside to pee. Jack moped the entire time we were gone. Poor pathetic neglected little boy. (can you hear the sarcasm?)

As energetic as he was, someone has crashed.

Fools Runnin'! It's race weekend

The Fool's 50k run is tomorrow. I dropped the finisher's mugs off last weekend and was able to hang out with Lloyd for a couple hours. He is SO excited about this race & really cares that the runners have a good experience. Makes me want to run something he has organized.

I'm going to drive over this afternoon and meet some Fools runners for dinner, stay the night, and then be at the start of the race tomorrow. Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay the whole day, but I'll be there for a few hours.

Next in the studio: clear space for my dad to install a wall of adjustable shelving he built for me, start making pots for 2 sales in April, and make room for 1,000 lbs of clay.

Two of my favorite things: Pottery and Running

As many races as I have run, I have never done a trail run. A full marathon, yes, but a trail run? No. I have nothing but great admiration for those who do.

(Ok, and I think you're a little bit crazy. But in a good way. Especially those who run ultras on trails.)

Because I know how much work goes into training for such a run, I was honored when Lloyd Thomas asked me to make a unique finisher's award for those who finish the Fool's Run 50k Trail Run. After a couple very busy months, the last batch is in the bisq kiln right now, and will be glazed over the weekend.

For the overall men's & women's winners:

And for everyone else who finishes:

Each mug has been hand thrown, stamped with a jester hat as a nod to the race, and fired to 2,200°. They are oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe. The glaze is lead free.

Good luck everyone!