On the Hunt: #RiverfrontFW

When I saw the information come across my Twitter feed, all I could think was, "I. Got. THIS."

Riverfront Fort Wayne,an initiative that envisions a revitalized downtown riverfront area, was hosting asking locals how well they know the 2.6 miles of riverfront in the city and challenging them to a Selfie Scavenger Hunt. As I frequently run along the River Greenway, I felt confident that I know the 310 acres well.

The contest requires that entrants take selfies in front of 10 (of 25 clues) and post them on one social media channel (Twitter, Facebook or Instagram) before the deadline.

And so on Thursday, I parked my car and headed out for a run downtown with my phone in one hand and the guide in the other. I headed east, sure that I knew where one of the clues was. It was so easy, I thought.

Less than mile later, I stood in front of my destination. My eyes scanned the building, looking for any detail to prove me right, but it was clear that I was anything but. It was OK, though. I had another clue identified. I just needed to run north past the fort and stop at the east side of Lawton Park.

Excited to finally find a clue, my pace quickened. A smile crossed my face. My gaze narrowed.

But when I arrived, again, I was disappointed to discover that I was wrong. Seriously, seriously wrong. My goal to take a good five or six of the required selfies ... well, it was a bit lofty as I found only one.

One selfie over 5 miles. So, so sad.

But I was, am, determined. I went to work and did some research over lunch. It appeared that I had been *thisclose* to several of the stops on the scavenger hunt and didn't even know it. Frustrating! Others, with some additional context, became immediately clear.

And so I headed out again today. My run starting at the same spot with the same goal – five or six successful selfies over 5 miles. Unlike the day before, though, I wasn't going to hope to stumble upon them. I was going to hunt.them.down.

My new creepy BFF.

And hunt them down I did. I found the ones on my list – and then some. I ended up taking EIGHT of the required selfies. Score!

I still have to find one more clue on the Selfie Scavenger Hunt to be a legit entrant into the contest but, again, I think I know where a couple more of the clues are. I just need to take my next run to the east and through my old 'hood.

The prize isn't anything ridiculously amazing – one of three $50 gift cards to local restaurants – but I would still do a happy dance if I won. And then I would orders something ridiculously pricey that I wouldn't otherwise request.

If anything, I'm participating because it's a challenge and it's giving my running a purpose. A totally fun, rad purpose.

Have you ever participated in a scavenger hunt? I think this idea would be a lot of fun for running groups or even races.

From Market to Market {This Week's Menu}

My menu was set. My groceries were bought. Heck, they were even put away. But one little Facebook message turned the week's plan upside down.

I had won a $25 gift certificate to the Ft. Wayne's Farmer's Market. It was $25 to spend on whatever I wanted – and not what I needed. Boy, they sure do know the way to a girl's heart.

The market is set up inside at the minor league baseball stadium, and vendors sell a variety of goods. I saw freshly baked sourdough, small-batch roasted coffee and homemade jam. There were farmers selling organic meat and eggs from coolers, and artisans peddling jewelry and soaps.

I was impressed to see a number of hydroponic growers who had fresh vegetables. I certainly wasn't expecting to see that on a dreary March morning in Indiana. I nabbed some fresh celery that was thin and delicate – not the least bit stringy. You could seriously rinse it off and just dip it into peanut butter.

The bright green, tender leaves of the spinach and herbs made me long for summer even more – something I didn't think possible. (Note to self: After our final snow tomorrow, I need to get some spinach in the ground. Fresh vegetables will be a great treat when paired with some of our freezer meals.)

But there was one booth that left me not just longing for more but begging and buying.

Cheese. Fresh cheese!

Clearspring Acres sells any kind of cheese you would want – cheddar, Swiss, Muenster – and varieties that you never thought of, such as Swiss Rye, horseradish, roasted garlic.

Roasted garlic cheese. Roasted. Garlic. Cheese.

I took one bite, and I knew I had to get some. It was creamy, flavorful and had just the right bite. It would be great on its own, with crackers, in an omelet, on a grilled cheese, I noted to myself.

And that's when the pregnancy genius kicked in. I could make grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwiches for dinner with this cheese. Forget the Buffalo chicken and turkey meatloaf!

My meal plan was gone, and cheese was in.

The week's menu:

Sunday: Rigatoni with Turkey Sausage, Peppers and Onions (using fresh basil from the farmers market)

Monday: Super simple slow cooker salsa pork (I used 8 ounces yellow tomato salsa I canned this morning with a one-pound chunk of pork loin. I cooked it on low for 8 hours.)

Tuesday: Grilled cheese, bacon and tomato sandwiches

Wednesday: In-law's

Thursday: Slow Cooker Barbecue Pork

Earth Fare: A grocery experience

I died and went to heaven.

Or, I drove to the other side of town and finally visited the Earth Fare that opened recently.

The organic grocery store is the first of its kind in my tiny pocket of northeast Indiana. While we do have a Fresh Market, there is not a store of this size or one with similar buying power devoted to healthy living and organic produce. The opening had people so excited that the northeast store had caused traffic back-ups and shopping was cart-to-cart, according to friends who live in the area and went to explore.

If you are unfamiliar with Earth Fare, the company says that, "What really sets Earth Fare apart from other stores is the list of things we don't offer...like any products containing high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and synthetic growth hormones in fresh meat and dairy. We believe food should be as close to the ground as it gets, and we are proud to read the labels so you don't have to!"

According to me, what sets Earth Fare apart is the taste of big city shopping that we just don't have here. The store was clean and bright, the signs were fun and bold and the selection was wide. I was particularly happy to see things like bulk bins for nuts, grains and beans that I don't have at my neighborhood Kroger (though some of the nicer ones do).

There was also freshly ground nut butters and dispensers for honey, agave and maple syrup. Again, given what's available in the city and my neighborhood, especially, it was all so novel. If I didn't have self restraint and serious hunger pangs from HIIT training, I might have gotten all the stuffs as everyone needs 10 pounds of nut butter.

Rather, I limited myself to a few choice things including Lemon Lime Zevia, which I had not seen before, a few bars for California and a special treat for Mark - specialty raviolis from the bulk pasta bins. I was sure that the goat cheese sundried tomato variety would make up for my cross-country solo trip. I even got fresh Parmesan to complement the dish.

I will say that my one moment of weakness came when I spotted the salad and hot bars. I was hungry, tired and the cucumber-tomato salad I had packed seemed less than sexy compared to some of the things I spotted. And, the hot bar is oh-so-cool. Right? Maybe. Not so much if you live in a major metropolitan area (and are thus not even reading this because you don't care about my Earth Fare).

But I resisted. If anything, it gives me a reason to go back.

Getting on pace + upcoming races {A Three Things Thursday post}

"I have a question to ask you and then a statement."

Mark was standing at the kitchen sink and I at the stove as we cleaned up dinner one night last week. The conversation had been rather pedestrian until that point, and I was taken aback by what he said. I inquired as to whether I could hear the statement first and the the question but, according to him, the order of things was crucial. If I answered the question one way, the statement would be void.

"Would you consider it a PR," he started "if someone paced you to the time during Fort4Fitness?"

Again. Taken aback.

To be honest, I have never really thought of having a personal pacer who would promise to pull me to a personal best. I was with a pace group for part of last year's Fort4Fitness, and I found the sub-2 goal quite literally looming over my head to be motivating. However, I had ran most of the race myself and had made the choice to stick with them no matter what. I had done it, accountable only to myself.

My answer to Mark's question, at best, would be laced with uncertainty but I didn't need him to make a statement. I knew what he was getting at - he was offering to pace me to a half marathon PR.

Mark has run two races of the 13.1 distance, with a PR of 1:34, but hasn't expressed a huge interest in longer events since. I think the combination of a busy track season, which means no running for him, and my performance at Athens have turned the tides this spring.

Note: Mark is not upset or disappointed in me about the race but bummed because he was so confident that I would be faster.

I haven't given Mark an answer - I have until May 5 when registration goes up - but after some encouragement from Joe on our run this morning, I am tipping yes. After all, Galen Rupp had a rabbit when he broke the indoor 5K record. I just want to run a 1:53 half marathon.

In addition to Fort4Fitness, which is in September, here are some other races on the calendar:

1. Dirty Girl Mud Run in Indianapolis on May 17. If you haven't registered, use code BLOGFRIEND for $10 off.

2. ZOOMA Napa Valley half marathon on June 28

3. Runners on Parade 5K on July 12. The 2010 race is where I set my 5K PR. I haven't tried to break it since, and I might just try it again.

What's on your calendar? Would you use a pacer?

Poppin' wheelies

Friday was Bike to Work Day so I decided to bike to work.

Sort of. Well, I mean I did bike to work but first, I had to drive my car with Miles in tow, dropped him off at daycare, drove home and then biked to work.

It definitely wasn't the greenest option but I did take the long way to work and biked slowly to take in the lush fragrance of the blooming lilacs. Plus, it was my workout for the day.

And taking Green Envy to work made me feel legit when I told Mark that he had to meet me at Fort Wayne Outfitters and Bike Depot for the Bike to Work After Party. Yes, he had to.

I have no idea why I was hell bent on going to this thing but I was and when my in-laws requested to take Miles overnight, it was a done deal. (Yes, I am lucky to have people who actually want to take my child from me so I can go to bed at 9 p.m. without worrying about whether flushing the toilet will wake anyone up.)

There was food - chicken salad sliders, cheese, bruschetta, fresh fruit and these canapes things - and live music. All free, which had me totally stoked.

Mark and I sat around for a bit, sipping nuun and enjoying the tunes, before heading back out on the Greenway. It's been forever since we've been able to ride our bikes together, and I forgot how enjoyable it is. A lot different than running together, which I do like, but I tend to be more carefree on the bike.

As we were child free, we decided that we should stop at the neighborhood cafe for more goodies. And conversation. And a cookie because cookies are apparently a requirement of cycling.

Excuse me while I find a century to register for.

Odd tangent: One of the things that struck me as, let's say, odd about Bike to Work Day as it was all such a novelty for me and I'm sure some of the others who participate. Yet, as I biked to work, I saw many who do it regularly because of financial and/or legal reasons. And they don't get celebrated with chicken sliders, music and cookies.

Odd tangent, part two: I think I want to ride my bike regularly to work come summer when I don't have to take Miles to daycare.

My Healthy City: An intitiative

It was not by luck but professional obligation that I learned of the My Healthy City initiative.

I was editing some listings that run in Saturday editions when information about the group, created to help improve the health of Fort Wayne residents, and its first meeting. It immediately piqued my interest, and I quickly found myself signing up on Eventbrite for the breakfast, which was held this morning. I thought it would not only help to get involved in the community but network with fitness and health professionals as I make shit happen in 2013. Bonus: Coffee was served.

The group is the brain child of Justin, the owner of a CrossFit box in Fort Wayne. An advocate of health and fitness, he found the inspiration to start an effort after attending a Social Media Breakfast. The format clicked, and he thought it would work well to allow like-minded individuals and groups to collaborate and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

As well as dispel some nasty titles. Fort Wayne has been topping the charts on lists that dub cities the fattest, stupidest and most artery clogging.

If the number of gyms opening up in town is any indication, those titles aren't so true - or people don't want them to be true. According to one of the attendees, between 60 percent and 70 percent of people are inactive. The good thing, though, is that two-thirds of them would like to be active. (I'm not sure if that's Fort Wayne specific or nationwide.)

One of things we mentioned in this morning's initial brain-storming session was that there are programs to help or guide people but they might not be marketed well or they have an intimidation factor. I think this can be especially true in the running community (and I said as much) as there aren't many running groups and many of the clubbers are standout athletes. For someone staring out, maybe wanting to participate in our Fort4Fitness events, it can be challenging to find a training partners or group.

Anyway, enough of my personal beef. Among the issues we discussed:

• Collaboration
• An umbrella group
• Increased social media efforts to disseminate information
• Create a face to share stories and inspire

Many of the attendees were already engaged in efforts - dietitians, health educators, the director of the YMCA and representatives from the city. There were some health enthusiasts, as well, including a yoga instructor whom I sat next to. It seemed like a good mix of people who are doing fitness and those who have the resources to engage the community.

I'm really excited about the group and look forward to see where it's going. The plan is to meet once a month, ala the Social Media Breakfast format, and hopefully create more connections among the members to make shit happen (so to speak).

It is 2013, after all.

Ho, ho, NO!

Cheese. Crackers. Choo choos.

I'm not sure there's anything Miles loves more in the world than those three things. I mean, besides me.

And while he gets regular doses of string cheese, graham crackers and episodes of "Thomas and Friends," Mark and I had a special outing for our little conductor. Complete with cheese and crackers.

By the glories of Google on Friday, I discovered that the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society invites families - as well as Santa and Mrs. Claus - for a ride on a vintage train, allowing them to "pay homage to a great Fort Wayne tradition and create brand new ones while visiting the home of the largest operating steam locomotive in the Midwest: Nickel Plate Road No. 765."

For $4 a person, families are treated to a 20-minute ride and a visit from Santa. There are also other activities - coloring, train sets and self-guided tours of the locomotives - on site though those weren't of much interest to an impatient 17-month-old.

Note: He did like the 25 cent train whistle, which I'm sure is a choking hazard but it kept him engaged as we waited in line. Go ahead, nominate me for mother of the year. While I was enamored with the overall experience, my only complaint was that you couldn't buy tickets for a particular ride. It was first-come, first-serve with rides about every 30 minutes. The setup works with older kids but makes it hard to manage younger toddlers.

I will say that we were lucky and managed to get on a train with an hour. It was a festive looking caboose, with wrapping paper on the walls and candy canes awaiting the child. Self-important as I am, I tried to sit in Santa's seat rather than the benches.

Miles thoroughly enjoyed riding on the choo-choo and looking out at the fields of rural Indiana as we went down the tracks. He (safely) stood on the bench, peering out the small window saying, "choo choo. CHOO CHOO!" When we reached the turnaround, the train stopped and the car readied for a special visitor.

Santa! (Or, as Miles says, "Hhahnta!")

The jolly old fellow made the rounds, shaking the hands of excited, eager children and Mrs. Claus passed out candy canes. He took a spot in my, I mean his, seat and began to entertain the wishes of the youngins. I should have paid attention to what kids these days want but I was trying to amp up Miles for his visit, whispering in his ear that he should ask for Nike Pro Hyperwarm print training tights in a size small. Matching half-zip, too.

When it was finally his turn, Miles let out one more "Hhantaa" before turning into a screaming mess.

I was slightly embarrassed and felt sort of bad for the kind gentleman underneath the beard but I happily snapped pictures. I might be a terrible person to say this but I love, love, love photos of kids crying on Santa's lap. Actually, I think photos of crying babies are, in general, quite cute.

I do fear that Miles' general disdain for Santa will not bode well for the Nike tights but his enthusiasm for the train and Santa (he seriously won't stop saying the word) means we might have ourselves an affordable Christmas tradition.

And next year, if he doesn't cry, I'm pinching his butt.