When James approached us with a INDOOR 10k race, who didn't actually think he was kidding at first. Sure an indoor 10k race, yeah riiiggght! James, if you need the attention just ask us to meet you at your local track and we'd be more than happy to crump with you a tad.

So then I thought, well maybe he's not joking around and I went ahead and searched for the event on the Internet. A funny thing happened. My computer didn't explode. I thought for sure that after I hit search for " Freemont Ohio indoor 10k race", my screen would fry, or at the very least reply with a "did you mean : Ohio Freemason 10" spacer?"

Not one of these things happened. The only thing that the search engine corrected me on was the spelling of Fremont. Only 1 "E", who kneew? Not mee.

So there was the site ( http://fremontrunners.wordpress.com/ ) , right in front of my eyes. No smoke and mirrors.  Someone was really going to organize this thing. How many runners would do this?

It sounded so bizarre, so wacky, so unconventional that I replied to James " Count me in"

My trip to the Bado abode was pretty uneventful. Passed though Homerville for the 1st time in my life- in and out of that village in about 15 seconds. Tons of snow drifts, farm land and roads without bends in them. 3 hours drive time- give or take a few minutes. Would have been there faster but I'm a Grandfather and I drive like one -this tidbit of info will resurface later in this BLOserG.

Cold, I would've dressed warmer. Oh well.

The mystery that I held close was answered upon being greeted at the door of their house. A FEMALE opened the door
and introduced herself as Will. "Oh, you're Will!" Lucy you gots some esplainin' to do. I'll look into an explanation later, but for now I tell Will, my name is Nancy. She doesn't buy it and so I give in with a " I'm Joseph"

Will brings me downstairs where James is (where else?) on the treadmill. I'm thinking wee can out Freemont, even Fremont and maybe do the indoor 10k one better by having a 10k treadmill race- HHMMMM (I got Mark G thinking now!) I can see it now " The 2009 Fremont Indoor, on treadmill, on Superbowl Sunday 10k" Need bigger shirts. 

Get unpacked and Jim then gives me the once over 5 nickle tour of the house. I was introduced to Mandy (dog), Angel (cat), Emily's fish, turtle and hamster- sorry Emily, I'm old and can't for the life of me remember their names. I saw Emily's & Mats room as well as Jim's office. Jim showed me the original concept unit for "Planet Quest", and an original comic strip in which he authored while at Kent State. Jack of all trades he is.

The tour of Findlay was fantastic. It is highly recommended that if you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods that you look up "Jim & Emily's site seeing tour guided afficianadoes extraordinarios" They are by far top of the line. They are also free.

Too much for me to remember but from what I can recall and will never forget. Dietsch Bros. Chocolates & Ice Cream.MMMmmm. http://www.dietschbrothers.com/  , I think this might be the ONLY chocolate, ice cream store IN THE WORLD whose name starts with DIETS. Was Fatsosch taken? Delicious and A MUST!!! when you come to Findlay.

Stately Raven Bookstore, their moniker says it all- even if a tad understated. "The most unique bookstore in northwest Ohio". If this is only the most unique bookstore in northwest Ohio, I better get out more. This was a fantastic place. I wish we had such a store near us when the kids were young. Now with my second Grandchild on the way, I have a place that we can call our own, when they become of age. http://statelyravenbookstore.com/  Another MUST SEE. I bought our grand daughters first book here. "Mary Poppins". I think we'll take a long weekend in 4 years and I'll read it to her there.

Many more sites and likewise with animal names, I can't recall it all. Yoga studio, Little Caesars, The fire hydrant (hint, hint Emily) Huge, beautiful houses. I should have shown up earlier to have been able to see everything in the Sun. Gives Nancy & myself a great reason to return soon.

Tomorow OR Wednesday I'll BLOserG about : Introduction to martinis, Ultimate fighting and The Fremont indoor 10k.

Until then..keep one foot in front of the other.  

Top 10 Reasons To Run The Fremont Indoor 10K:

10. Think of it as one big left hand turn.
9. Run 10K on a treadmill and you really don’t get anywhere. Run 10K on the track and at least you ran in a circle 62 times!
8. The Food. Subs, chips, candy…. all the stuff that is ok to eat without guilt because you just ran a 10K!
7. Somebody else is going to count your laps and will tell you when to stop. All you have to do is RUN!
6. February 1st. It’s going to be cold, snowing and nasty outside, but perfect weather for a run inside!
5. A guaranteed “Indoor 10K PR” for all entrants. Once finished, you can lay claim to an outdoor 10K PR and brag about your indoor one as well!
4. 62 laps really isn’t that many if you think about it.
3. You can run a 10K in Northwest Ohio on February 1st AND wear shorts without being considered crazy!
2. The Music. The adrenaline pumping sounds from the “Official Race Soundtrack” will keep you amused and moving (there will be NO Poison or Winger songs!)
1. The Shirt. It’s all about the shirt. Everyone will want one, but only a few can earn one!