Run, Big Papa, Run!

We spent this past Sunday downtown in the chilly, rainy weather, watching Big Papa run in another Corporate Cup race. He'd had no time to train, with the exception of the 2.3 miles he'd run the day before, hoping that would prepare him for the 6-mile jaunt ahead. Mike has always lived each day in a mind-over-matter way, so I was praying that's what would get him through this time. 🙂

Sophie was given the choice to stay home in her warm bed and sleep in, but she insisted on getting up and cheering on her Best Buddy – and being at the finish line to call 911 if necessary.

One last Hook 'em Horns sign, and he was off…

As we approached the 1-hour mark, we started looking out for Mike to come around the bend…

There he is! Go Big Papa!!! You can do it!!!

You're doing great, Mike! Yes, that's right -  You're in Nebraska, but Hook 'em Horns anyway!

Go, Best Buddy!

In just over an hour's time, he was finished! Sophie and I were so proud of him. (We love you, Big Papa.)

After the race, we headed back to the car, and passed this sculpture I'd never seen before. (Possibly bc I never venture downtown)

Turns out it was a memorial to the victims of 9/11. I thought it was both sad and fascinating…

After we got to the car, we headed over to the Farmer's Market at Aksarben Village, where Mike was eager to munch on any samples the vendors had to offer. (Btw, Aksarben is Nebraska, spelled backwards.)

I bought some of these and made a buttery apple crisp later that evening.. for those of you who follow me on Instagram, I posted the recipe in steps there…

The best part about the Farmer's Market was that Jones' Bros. Cupcakes was nearby…

(Btw, they won Cupcake Wars in the show's second season!)

I love this picture, bc it looks like Sophie has a mustache…

After our cupcakes (they carry gluten-free ones as well), we walked around the Village a bit more.. I'm inserting this picture here bc I want to show it to Bre (who paints beautifully!), if she's reading this; it's a new painting studio called Village Canvas and Cabernet, and for $30 one can sit for 2 hours and learn to paint one of the projects featured up on the wall. An artist guides the students in various techniques, all while each person sips away on a glass of wine. (Mike and I figured the alcohol was to help people let go of their inhibitions and end up being surprised at what they could come up with! LOL)

After I took this photo, I looked around to see where Mike had disappeared to, and I found him munching away on the free cookies, saying things like, "Believe it or not, I have an inner artist."

Once I pulled Mike away from the tea and cookies table, we wandered back through the market so he could pick up some enchiladas he'd sampled earlier. On the way, we passed this folk band…

I could have stood there and listened to them for hours…

…Except for the fact that this dude was giving me the stink-eye…

Sophie and I backed away, caught up with McFoodie Mike, and we all headed home.

P.S. Mike is still coming down from the high of the day… not a runner's high, mind you, but a sugar high.