Rock for Broc

I'm very excited about this coming Tuesday evening (June 30). Mercy Ray and some other members of the Minnesota running community are hosting the Rock for Broc Fundraising Challenge. It's a series of one-mile track races (plus some shorter distances for the kids).

I'd love to run a race, but I've decided I'm in better shape to volunteer. It should be great fun for all participants, spectators and volunteers!

Proceeds from the race entries, raffle tickets (with some great prizes!), bracelets and buttons will go towards supporting local runner (and snowshoe racer/cross-country skiier/triathlete/volleyball player...what else am I forgetting?) Cindy Brochman as she battles cancer.

Details about the mile events are available in a printable pdf here: Rock for Broc entry form & schedule. More details about some of the other actvities are here: A Few Words With... Mercy Ray.

Be sure to bring extra money to buy raffle tickets, bracelets and buttons. See you out there!

Sidewalk sprinkling season in Saint Paul

Ahh.. spring in Minnesota. The lilacs have come and (almost) gone, I wake up to lovely chirping songbirds every morning, there are more puppies and bunnies running around than I can count on a run, and.... it's time to start tripping, dodging and generally avoiding the lawn sprinklers.

I don't mind them quite as much in the heat of July and August. But starting mid-May - when the weather still swings widely between late winter and early summer temps and conditons - I really am in no mood to get doused.

I'll say it again: when you live in a city you don't own the sidewalk in front of your house. Even if you really whine. And there are now really fancy sprinklers that are directional. You don't have to water your entire front lawn at once.

But the absolute worst offenders are the ones who put the sprinkler right smack dab in the middle of the aforementioned sidewalk. It's even better when it's a house on a corner lot and you turn the corner as a poor, unsuspecting pedestrian and run right into not only an unwelcome stream of water but a deliberate impediment to your progression. One of these days I'm going to break an ankle.

Please be aware of the world around you. Be kind when you water your lawns, knowing that people still want and need to use the sidewalk while you're watering.