Juggling lemons

Courtesy Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region Red Cross

I was a celebrity waiter at a recent fundraiser for our local American Red Cross. I'd never been to a celebrity waiter event, but I knew going in that being entertaining and goofy were the requisites.

Goofy I had down. Whether that would translate to entertaining, well - I had my doubts.

I threw on a couple silly hats and mingled with some customers.

One couple said the last guy did magic tricks for them.

"What can you do?" they challenged.

"Well, I can juggle ... a little," I said after thinking for a moment.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed three lemons out of the fridge. I went back to the table, negotiated a price and pleaded silently with my body to please not let me drop them.

I started juggling and was able to make it through a few good looking rotations before I lost my groove.

The couple seemed please, clapped and handed me some dough.

More than $5,500 was raised that night and all of the dollars went to this Red Cross chapter.

Given the choice, though, I'd rather juggle interviews in the privacy of my office than lemons in public.

Happy 4th of July

Courtesy 55KRC Radio.

My favorite period to study in history is the Revolutionary War era.

I remember sitting at my desk in the 5th grade and being outraged - outraged I tell you - at what the British empire was doing. I couldn't wait to turn the page to learn how my forefathers were going to rebel and stick it to them.

Today, we'll have the day off from work, cook out, set off fireworks and maybe hang a flag. My hope is that you at least take a moment to reflect on the significance of the day and thank a veteran for keeping the most important freedom movement history has ever witnessed going.

Happy 4th of July, my friends!

Capping it off

My new Nike ball cap.

It was never going to be expensive to buy; at most a little more than a hearty lunch for two at Panera Bread.

Still, I continued to spend my triathlon dollars on race entry fees, new tri shorts or nothing at all given how little I've trained lately.

And my other spare dollars?

Those exist?

For a few years, I've been wanting to buy a better ball cap, one that wicks the sweat away and promotes a great shape on my noggin'.

My mom got me a really nice cap for Christmas a couple years ago. It was white and read "Marshall University" in a proud green. Other than not being made of the quick drying fabric, it was perfect. It was so perfect I didn't care that it wasn't quick drying.

My Great Dane chewed it apart a few weeks later.

A few months ago, she got me another Marshall cap at Cracker Barrell. It was another great fit. However, it's a fitted hat and does not have a spot for me to pull my pony tail through. I save it for casual weekend wear.

The other day, I found the ball cap for which I'd been looking. Gary and I were at Dick's and I saw this hat with one other on a random shelf. As soon as I put it on I knew I'd be taking it home. I tried on another one from Under Armour just to see how that one fit to compare.

I should not have bothered.

I've worn it three or four times out on my runs and it feels great. It also looks spectacular, which is the most important feature for a dorky girl like me trying to pass for somewhat normal.

Blog gets first place nod from the Associated Press

Out on a run yesterday.

I was so thrilled to have won first place for Best Blog at the Associated Press Society of Ohio's annual awards banquet last Sunday for "The Iron Mountaineer." Some days, I just can't believe my life.

These were the judge's comments:

"Great blog! Entries aren't extravagantly long, topics are focused, writing style is light-hearted. Personality of the blogger shines through. Excellent."

I also took home second place recognition for Online Photojournalist and third place for Best Use of Multimedia. The paper with which I am most associated, The Times-Gazette, took home seven AP awards all together. My colleagues at the Wilmington News Journal took home six and the Record-Herald walked away with two.

There are five divisions in Ohio based on circulation and our division, Division 1, has the most papers, making it the most competitive division in Ohio.

These are the four entries that I submitted for judging from last year.

The name I won't let them call me

Mourning fading body markings

The top 5 swimming pet peeves

It's like I'm half triathlete, half human

Thanks for reading, everyone, and helping to make this trip even more joyful.

First place in my age group

Wearing my 1st place AG hardware standing by my truck.

With only 48 participants, and the majority of them walkers, I can't say I was totally surprised when they called my name for 1st place in my age group. It was, however, still pretty cool.

I've only placed once before. It was during the Thomas Frericks 5K at the University of Dayton where most of the participants were college kids or their parents. There were only three other women in my age group. I received a UD ball cap for my win.

The course represented the area in which I live: rural and pretty. It was a scenic route past homes and farms scattered several yards from one another; cows and horses grazed on the bright green grass.

Though a casual affair, the organizers certainly had the basics covered very well. The course was clearly marked, the water station was perfectly timed, the post-race recovery water and bananas hit the spot, the mile markers were clear and the mileage on the race was spot on.

The name of the race was the In Step for Life 5K Run/Walk. These folks are raising money for a community garden, so the registration money went to a good cause.

My time for my three-mile effort was 32:57. When I train, I'm usually hitting three miles at about 35 minutes, so it was a pretty good time for me.

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20: JUST DISCOVERED THERE WAS ONE OTHER IN MY AGE GROUP AFTERALL.