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Bring the Family
Who: Globe arts reporter Geoff Edgers, his wife, Carlene Hempel, and daughter Lila, 6
What: Motel sleepover
Where: King Birch Motor Lodge, Alton, N.H. 603-875-2222. kingbirchmotorlodge.com
In the old days, before I broke my ankle, I ran road races. It's been a few months since the cast came off and I remain a spectator. And I'm fine with that. It gives Lila and me a chance to cheer on Carlene.
And we've turned many of her races into overnight getaways.
Lila loves hauling around a suitcase stuffed tight with virtually anything she can cram into it. (I did draw the line once when she tried to pour in a jar of unsalted cashews.) Entering the motel room, she takes delight in selecting her bed and carefully putting her clothes into the accompanying bureau. And who doesn't love a little late-night motel TV, which, in kid's terms, takes place at 7:40 p.m.
Our recent getaway took place in Alton, N.H., a two-hour drive from Boston and the site of the "Big Lake" half marathon. We stayed at the King Birch Motor Lodge on Lake Winnipesaukee, a short drive to the starting line.
After Carlene sprinted off, Lila and I stopped at the Olde Bay Diner, a creaky-looking shack of a breakfast nook with a menu that features, among other items, the "Belly Buster" plate. I chose a simple omelet. Lila got a bagel. Before long, we were off to the finish line, watching as Carlene ran hard to come within a half-minute of breaking her personal best. [Geoff Edgers]
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
