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box cover in the attic

2010-11-14T13:39:00.001-08:00

I hope I didn't offend anyone by posting this. It appears to be a small box cover for a kid's toy, also found in the attic. Probably from the 40's or 50's?

CB#: 3306063854

Ralph Sebrell business card

2010-11-14T13:38:00.001-08:00

I found a vintage Ralph Sebrell business card in the attic. Any relation to Ralph Sebrell in Galion? I checked online and there is a Ralph Sebrell who lived in Norton, mentioned in a reunion posting for a military academy...could be the same?

CB#: 3306063854

stuff in the attic

2010-11-14T13:36:00.001-08:00

If anyone has checked this blog lately, these were items I found in the attic while putting in insulation. Unfortunately, there wasn't any stashed money anywhere. These were treasures anyway....a silver fork, kids wool mitten, halloween decoration, Ralph Sebrell business card, antique kid's coin bank, easter decorations and other items.

CB#: 3306063854

2010-09-30T08:37:00.001-07:00

CB#: 3306063854

Mile 11 Akron Marathon

2010-09-27T12:06:00.001-07:00

Me at Mile 11 of the Akron Marathon.

Mile 11

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Ran half marathon...Check!

2010-09-26T10:42:00.000-07:00

I finished the Akron Roadrunner half marathon yesterday, 9/25. While I didn't break any records today, I was glad to have finished!

The first 4 miles were the most grueling as I was fighting off nausea. My brother in law Steve, ran with me and was a great coach and motivator. I seriously don't think I would have finished without his help. Around mile 9-10 (after running down Howard St.) my quads started seizing up and forced me to run all the way in to the stadium to finish (walking made it worse). Running into the stadium, I realized I accomplished a personal milestone, one I will remember for a long time.

We couldn't have asked for better weather for running. High of 65, sunny and clear with an occasional breeze. Great support from the volunteers, and cheers from the residents of Akron made this a great run!

As I am writing this, I am experiencing the aches and pains of the race, but know it is well worth it in the long "run". I could not have accomplished 13.1 miles without the support of my family and especially my wife who has always urged me to get in gear and train.

Looking forward to the next race, maybe a local 5k...

Because I Can

2010-09-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Day 29, 30, 31:

Why do I run? Because I can! Because I know I am a better person for it and know what I am without it. My hope is that I can continue running for as long as I am physically able.

The older I get, the more I realize I should have started getting in shape in my 20's and 30's. However, one can never be too old to get in shape or even watching what you eat. I can honestly say I have never felt as good about myself as I have now. Exercise, running, and smart eating has had a real postive impact on my life.

Day 27, 28: I can do this thing!

2010-09-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Day 27:
I ran appx. 8 miles from Gilmore's to Jeromesville. Country road running is MUCH different than city running. The effort on the uphills is tough and easy to get discouraged as they never seem to end. There are also hazards to watch out for namely being on the berm as much as possible on the up hills as cars tend to fly coming the opposite way. The positives: Country air, running by farms, awesome landscape views and very little traffic. I also discovered a park named Byers Woods park (no relation to me) which was actually an old landfill, covered over with dirt and grass and methane vent pipes...nice! One week out from The Akron Roadrunner half and I'm feeling like I can do this thing!
Grandma Violet's Jeromesville Run II
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Day 28:
DEFINITELY an OFF DAY. Here's the southern part of TDW.

Day 26: renaming my blog site

2010-09-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Day 26: I updated the title of my blog site, it's namesake taken from a joke years ago.

Yesterday, I invited my brothers, Evan and Lenny to next year's Akron Roadrunner marathon. I didn't know it, but my sister in law Sondra has been running! Would be great to get a team of us together for a relay or run a half marathon together.

I've been experimenting with various health drinks, and would like to see if others have had any good effects from using them. I've used Myoplex and Muscle Milk. your comments are welcome!

Also, I've found on off days, it is difficult to stay motivated, so I am always looking for things to keep me geared up for the next run. It could be a song, mapping a run on Map My Run or even updating this blog site. My brother in law, Steve, sent a 13.1 car magnet, which has been a helpful motivator.

Any thoughts on racing shoes vs. running shoes? I use a Mizuno running shoe, which is very comfortable and has plenty of cushion.

Day 24, Day 25

2010-09-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

Day 24: recovery/off day.

Day 25: I plan on running 7 miles again. (never happened!)

On Day 27 or 28, (Saturday or Sunday) I will be visiting my in laws, George and Violet and hopefully can enlist some babysitting help while I attempt to run from their house to Jeromesville. Once I arrive in Jeromesville, I'll get a ride back. I've dedicated this run to my mother in law, Violet. Troy: if you happen to check the map, let me know if this is do-able or totally foolhardy, given the traffic and berm on 1754.

Grandma Violet's Jeromesville run
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Day 21, 22, 23

2010-09-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Day 21: 0 miles
Day 22: 0 miles

Day 23: It was hard to break the cycle of "sleeping in". But, I dragged myself out of bed at 4:50am, put my shoes on and started running. I typically sleep in my (clean) running gear the night before an early am run, to eliminate any excuses I might have. 7.0 miles of the North trek of TDW completed in 1:30. I know it's not breaking any world records but it is an accomplishment for me. Observation: my eyes are still trying focus at 4:50am and street lights look like they are engulfed in an orb of haze!

Day 20

2010-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday I got up, ran one mile, started getting chilled and turned back. Ok, go ahead, say it...I chickened out! I got a different workout later that day, helping relatives clear trees from their land. Hey lugging a 15 lb chainsaw around counts for upper body work out! I'm counting it anyways.

I intend to get up tomorrow for a 7 mile course!

Day 18, Day 19

2010-09-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Day 18: Off Day.

Day 19: Tomorrow (today) I am planning on running the entire Tour de Wadsworth, 13.1 miles. Wadsworth is by no means flat I have found, and am listing some of the most challenging hills in elevation on the course.

West Ave: ascent of 92 ft in elevation in 1.22 mi.
Weatherstone: ascent of 75 ft. in .59 mi
Eastview: 43 ft in .22 mi
Farr/Highpoint: 62 ft in .86 mi
Wolf: 115 ft in 1.37 mi

Plan on getting up at 4:30am, check the mile points and hit the streets!

Day 17: North goes...South and WEst...dang!

2010-09-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Day 17: you learn as you go, if you don't follow the planned route! I ran down North St., which does NOT go through to West, but goes west and then south into Balwin.

This morning was somewhat of a breakthrough for me. Maybe it was just my imagination. But I had my phone with me and I was keeping track of my times and was clocking 8-10 min. miles toward the end of the run. I also ran up (without stopping)Weatherstone hill which is the northern most part of the route. The hill is an ascent of 75 ft in .57 miles.

One particular funny moment was when I was approaching the McDonald's at High st. and Great Oaks Blvd., a guy in a brand new Mustang was impatiently waiting to get out into traffic. He saw me coming and did a stop start a few times while I was gaining on him...then just as I was within reaching distance of his car, he ended up grinding the gears as he got out into traffic. Probably made him dump his coffee...haha

On the downside, I only saw 2 other runners this morning. I saw more people in the drive thru line at McDonald's than I did the entire time on my run. Come on Wadsworth, get out there, get up off your and hit the street!

Northern Trek TDW (North Goes south)
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Day 15, Day 16

2010-09-08T04:49:00.000-07:00

Day 15: off day

Day 16: I intended to get up and run this AM but didn't make it. Maybe tonight. Will be shooting for 7 mile north end TDW. This weekend plan to run 13 consecutive miles on Saturday or Sunday.

Day 13, Day 14

2010-09-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Day 13: Off day, went to meeting, cookout with the fam, and foam ball game at Durling park.

Day 14: Started out at 5:20, got pelted with rain, turned back and checked the weather. NWS said it was only going to sprinkle. Scarfed some oatmeal, some Myoplex and headed out again at 5:40, with intention of running 7 mi. Only made 2.5 mi due to overheating and bathroom issues. Took a short nap.

Headed out again at 7:30 for a 4.5 mi run.
Tour de Wadsworth Southern Trek ( Library Run)
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Day 12: Coffee Run

2010-09-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

This is a short run to the downtown Sonnet's coffee shop and back. Steve- you'd remember this place. Pick up bag of Organic Peru coffee beans and run home. I actually felt like there was a purpose to running. I may try to work in another run tonight. Ieeal weather here today, high of 65.

Wadsworth coffee run
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Day 11: late but better start

2010-09-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

I made it out the door at 5:30 this morning. I took it easy for most of the 4 mile run and put it into high gear (for me) for the last mile. This was the southern trek from home and ended at the library and then I walked the rest of the way home. Not feeling nearly as tired today, but maybe because it was a shorter run? Still having trouble staying focused on the run and find my self getting really bored while running. Any suggestions? Reciting the ABC song is getting really OLD.

Other musings while running:
should a Wadsworth resident be considered: a Wadsworthite, a Wadsworthian or a Wadsworthonian?

Day 10: Too tired

2010-09-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

I woke up and was just out of it. So no run this morning. Will try again tomorrow. Should be cooling down with rain tonight and tomorrow morning.

Day 9: Day Off

2010-09-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today was an off day. It was busy in other ways, don't let the "off day" fool you. But, I am gearing up for tomorrow's run minus the salsa. I am going to do the Southern Trek Tour de Wadsworth.

Day 8: Frraappp!

2010-08-31T03:41:00.000-07:00

Note to self: DO NOT EAT 3 BOWLS of SALSA THE NIGHT BEFORE A RUN! Wooow!

I missed my turn on Sunset Ave. to get to Wolf, but continued up Sunset, turned on West and mustered the nerve to run through the cemetery. Just shy of 7 miles, run in 1 hour 38 min. abbreviated Southern trek of the Tour de Wadsworth!

My maps of wadsworth must be a hit, just checked # views for my last map: 21 and just posted last night.

Tour De Wadsworth Southern Trek (Cemetery run)
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Day 7: off day

2010-08-30T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today was an off day. Hoping to recover and by morning, will try to put in some mileage around the southern portion of the TDW (Tour de Wadsworth). Instead of trying to keep working up to the second half of TDW, I've created a new map to incorporate this part in my training schedule. Day 8 aspiration: get up at 5am, and run the southern TDW, 7.77 miles!

Day 6:

2010-08-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

It is amazing the difference in temperature makes when running. It was in the 90's Sunday during my run which ended up being a 7 mile run, North End Trek. My observations during this run: I tired faster, felt bogged down and heavy, unending sweat and thirst (despite having a water bottle). There was also the stress of heavy traffic and safety hazards of crossing busy streets and crossings. (Previous runs have been in the morning at 5:00 am.) There was no way I had any motivation beyond that 7 mile point. Which is a lesson to me to take it easy and I'm going to have take the leap from 7 miles to 13 miles in increments.