This Is Framingham

I’ve been running on roads exclusively since I started running, but recently (as in 2 weekends ago) found an interest in trail running, which I’m actually really afraid of.  There are so many rocks and roots to constantly be looking out for and then add a bunch of leaves hiding those things…it’s just a lot to think about while moving forward, especially for someone like me who doesn’t even like to go for a hike in fear of rolling an ankle on an acorn.
But in an attempt to embrace going outside my comfort zone (because we should do that once in a while- right?) I decided to do a 15 mile trail race in NH and loved it, so when I saw the Greater Framingham Running Club‘s Busa Bushwhack 10 mile race through Callahan State Park I signed right up for it.

In my excitement to run a another trail race I neglected to look at the course details, terrain and elevation. I  found out that course was way different then the relatively flat rail trail course I did the week before.  I remember at one point thinking “I just want to get the f*** out of here!!” and I did eventually, but more importantly I learned that I can throw myself ignorantly into a situation and deal with it (if I want to call that dealing).  I also met a super nice runner who is leaps and bounds above me in running accomplishments but saw that I was clearly struggling and took me under her wing, encouraging me to keep up with her. ???? ??? ?????  Somehow I did, and got out of the woods without a major face-plant (although I remember grabbing onto a tree at one point downhill) and just a minor ankle sprain.

There were also some really nice runners who I spoke with, including a former co-worker who I hadn’t seen in years, which was great and the volunteers were very knowledgeable and friendly too, just so many nice people. ?????? ?????  That’s another thing about this race, that even though everyone seemed to know each other and I went there as a total rogue, people were so nice and easy to talk to.  Sometimes I wonder why someone would pay to run when you can do it for free, but it’s events like this that make it worth it and make you feel like you’re part of a group.

Also, I know it shouldn’t matter  that much but the pre and post-race food was great.  I went to a 5K the day before for the same price that just had old dinner rolls and water at the start and finish, but this race had cookies, coffee, bagels, peanut butter, bananas, sports drink, Waverly Market sandwiches and some other treats.  It was really impressive!

Anyway, not that anyone will probably even read this, but I haven’t posted in a while because I don’t get into Framingham much and when I do I’m usually just stuck in traffic or  running boring, non-postworthy errands (do I really need to get into how terrible the Trader Joe’s parking lot is again?) but I felt that this was such a nice experience in the old ‘ham that I wanted to share.  Thanks GFRC for a really great experience!

Our washing machine bit the dust and while we were in-between washers at home we decided to do a couple of loads at a local laundromat.  The closest one for us was “Friendly Cleaners” in Sad Plaza but as much as I truly love retro appliances from the 70’s, (I really do) that place is a little sketch at night considering it’s tucked in the corner of an empty plaza that leaves a note asking the last customer to close the door.  So we headed north to Royal Laundry in Nobscot (847 Edgell Rd.)
It wasn’t bad, were the only ones there but didn’t feel unsafe.

It’s very clean and they have TVs and wifi there. comprar ivermectina online españa   The only  thing that was a disappointment was the totally vacant vending machine. ivermectin dose in chickens

We were looking for a snack but just got some pizza at Gianni’s across the way.  But the machines we used worked properly and I’d rather have a pleasant washing experience than a wide (or I guess any) selection of snacks. securom failed to initialize pes 2013 fix   So it was nice but hopefully we won’t be needing to visit again anytime soon.

We got the latest edition of the town planner calendar and are wondering where in Framingham this was taken 🙂
I must drive by it every day and never notice!

A very nice reader of the blog offered to add me to a list of 100 people to meet Duran Duran at the British Beer Company in Framingham tonight so…I went!   A few years ago I found this carnival mirror at the downtown Framingham Salvation Army thrift shop. how long ivermectin paste

I thought it’d be funny to bring it and although they “weren’t allowed” to sign things tonight, John Taylor did get a kick out of it. scaboma plus lotion side effects   He said it was “wicked” and and asked me how old it was and showed it to Nick Rhodes who also looked at with amusement. ivermectina 500mg Nothing all that interesting but now I can put the mirror back in my pile of useless things knowing it served it’s one minute purpose- you never know when random thrift store purchases will come in handy 🙂
Thanks again Mo for the opportunity to meet the guys!

While we are working from home today because of the weekly snowstorm installment, Ethan ran out of Coke and was going to go out to a store and get some.  I thought he was crazy to go on the roads and risk someone sliding into his car (or vice versa).  The closest convenience store is a 10 minute walk, which normally is fine but with the snow still coming down and the roads the way they are (and the sidewalks are a mess too) it still seemed unappealing or unsafe to go out for something like a bottle of coke.
Then I thought of the hospital, which is right across the parking lot from our house and why not check out their gift shop?  Well the shop was closed, but the cafeteria was open so we headed up to the second floor and followed the cafeteria aroma…

It had plenty of coke and pretty much anything else you could think of to drink and eat- they even have sushi. I probably wouldn’t eat it but for anyone who might feel adventurous- you’re in a hospital anyway I guess.

Not only that but they have one of my all-time favorite ice cream treats: Twix ice cream bar!

I didn’t get one but this is great to know when it gets hot out (winter will end, right?) and I can scoot over and get some Twix awesomeness!  Those things really are fantastic.

Anyway, hope everyone is enjoying the snow, I know I’m not but…hopefully only one more month of this (even though we’ve already run out of space to put snow).
Happy shoveling!

I had to stop by the Clerk’s office this morning on my way to work and when I went to feed the meter, I saw this sticker saying you get 10 minutes for free if the meter is at 00:00.  This may be common knowledge to most people but I never usually have a need to park downtown so this was kind of a treat for me.
I got my 10 minutes but also added a dime just in case it took longer than 10 minutes (and it did).  Anyway, if you didn’t know that about the meters, now you do : )

When I go down route 9 eastbound, I always see the sign for “Wicked RC” and I always wonder what it is and forget to look it up.  I finally I got around to it and asked the manager, Gus, if I could come in and take some pictures and ask him some questions and he was nice enough to say yes.
Wicked RC is remote control race car central. In addition to providing a track for racing, there is a rock course for ATV type remote controlled vehicles. They also offer repair services and have a big wall of motor parts for the fix-it-yourselfer.
They hold races on Mondays and Fridays and also host birthday parties.
The track is made with movable barriers to be able change the course for each race and you can control your car either on the ground level or from the loft type area on the second floor.

I’m not an RC racer but I like that this is something different in Framingham and it actually draws people here. Gus said they get people from NH and RI since there are very few RC racing venues and  there aren’t any this big.  For more information check out their site: http://www.wickedrcracing.com