Crazy Legs, spicy bread and a bundled up grandma

With a stiff wind blowing in from the east and 15,000 runners preparing to head west, things could have gone south for us as we made our way around Madison’s capitol square last Saturday.

Our first trip of the season to the Madison Farmer’s Market coincided with the 33rd annual Crazy Legs Run and our little party, which ranged in age from 75 to six, approached the square with some trepidation.

One lap later, our bellies full of fresh baked goods and fried cheese, we realized that no conditions, not rain, nor wind, nor amped up racers, could mute the thrill of open air shopping.

Our loot included the elusive arugula, “frost sweetened” spinach, fresh daffodils and warm loaves of spicy cheese bread.

Meanwhile, all around us, participants in the Crazy Legs Classic, an 8 kilometer run or a two mile walk, milled about waiting for the start of the legendary race that begins at the Capitol and ends at Camp Randall.

While I would have loved to jump into the race, amped up with music from the Badger band, high-fiving the football players I saw at the starting line, and cruising along beautiful Lake Mendota, I still enjoyed my mellower morning, meandering through cheerful stalls, sharing a bite of a delicious chocolate croissant with my super cute niece Erin, and reveling in the sights, sounds, and smells of a Saturday in spring.

Hundreds of runners warmed up inside the beautiful Wisconsin State Capital.
Hundreds of runners warmed up inside the beautiful Wisconsin State Capital.
My mother, who had just returned to Wisconsin following a winter in Florida, needed extra layers. Her grandson Vinnie loaned her a large grey sweat shirt and a knit cap, much t the amusement of my niece Erin.
My mother, who had just returned to Wisconsin following a winter in Florida, needed extra layers. Her grandson Vinnie loaned her a large grey sweat shirt and a knit cap, much t0 the amusement of my niece Erin.
Well, of course there were cheese curds!
Well, of course there were cheese curds!
She shared a bite of her giant chocolate croissant with me. Yum!
She borrowed a hat from Vinnie too, and then shared a bite of her giant chocolate croissant with me. Yum!
Not a lot of fresh produce, but a heaping table of tasty canned goods from the summer kitchen.
Not a lot of fresh produce, but a heaping table of tasty canned goods from the summer kitchen.
The Crazy Legs raises money for UW athletics, so you'll find UW athletes all over the route offering encouragement.
The Crazy Legs raises money for UW athletics, so you’ll find UW athletes all over the route offering encouragement. Here members of the football team high five runners as they pass.
Where else but Wisconsin would a serene woman with a red accordion provide accompaniment to a race/farmer's market?
Where else but Wisconsin would a serene woman with a red accordion provide accompaniment to a race/farmer’s market?
Vinnie and I scored some arugula and spent some time listening to this enthusiastic vendor sing the praises of his spinach.
Vinnie and I scored some arugula and spent some time listening to this enthusiastic vendor sing the praises of his spinach.
With her spicy cheese bread, scones and daffodils, Grandma Peggy gives new meaning to the term bag lady...or does she?
Here is Grandma Peggy rocking the 37-layers-with-a giant-sweatshirt-and-knit-cap-she-borrowed-from-her-grandson look.  Hot.

 

 

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