The NOLA Jazz Half: A Street Party at 7:00 A.M.

I knew I was in for a different kind of race when I arrived at Lafayette Square around 6:30 a.m. in the dreary drizzle of rain to find runners outfitted in every imaginable halloween costume. While everyone was in the party spirit and "on top of the game" for having a good time, no one seem to know much (or care) about how to race. Several hundred of us are milling around in the park at five minutes to start time. A guy with a bullhorn walks up to the start line in the street and yells, "If you think you are a fast runner, come on up here to the line. If you are just here for the party, get behind the folks up front." And we are off! This has never happened in 20+ years of my showing up for a race! While the runners were quite colorful in the fanciful running gear, the neighborhoods we ran through were too. NOLA is a fascinating mix of Old South charm and New Urban sophistication and eclectic ethnic diversity. It was an enjoyable weekend!

If This Isn't Your Race to Run, Volunteer!

Volunteering is a part of my life.  Soup kitchens, painting school hallways, ringing the Salvation Army Bell are all activities I enjoy.  I find volunteering to be a rewarding experience. A lot of community events rely on the presence of unpaid volunteers. Races have become important fundraising events—a large portion of proceeds is often donated to local businesses and charities—and unpaid volunteers play an important role in how everything comes together. 

So, when my fall race scheduled showed I would be running just before and after the annual Kansas City Marathon, I decided to help out. Showing up before dawn to set up table of bananas, apples, and oranges; stack cases of water bottles and hang rows of finishing medals was energizing as the 8000+ crowd gathered a block away around the start line. Many of us stopped long enough to be on the sidelines when the opening gun went off. Then back to the detail of end of race organization! Handing out goodies at the finish line allowed me to greet running friends, often along with their cheering families. I am grateful for the amazing crew of volunteers that make any race possible and this day was no exception!

My Favorite Race of 2017

I got a call on Wednesday from my daughter. "Hey, Ava and I are running in her school's 5K this Saturday. Want to join us?" Well, sure.

Only, I'm working. And when you own your own business and take the work when you can get it, well, you take it. BUT. This is my grand-daughter and, as a minister who spent forty years putting everyone ahead of his personal family for the church family--well, I decided that when I retired from full time ministry, I would no longer do that. So. The client was very gracious in re-scheduling.

And on Saturday, off to Prairie Village I drove! Kelly, who had been so laid back in Lima, was like a tough mudder personal trainer with Ava. "You can do this!" "Keep those legs moving girlfriend!" "Feel the burn!" "Just a little further!"

I was so proud of both of them! 38 minutes for a 5K for a seven year old is pretty dang good! Can't wait until Ava and Kelly are crossing the finish line with me in some race on my 80th BD.

Running the valleys (and hills!) of Asheville NC

A week after returning from Lima Peru, we traveled to Asheville to participate in a half marathon. The highlight of this venture was visiting with Paul and Beth Sears in Franklin. Friendship with the Sears family goes back to when we lived in Denver Colorado in the 1980s. They are such a creative,

energetic, witty, fun-loving couple who have overcome life's struggles and tragedies at every turn. Even as Paul continues to face the challenges of devastating cancer, he lives each day with hope and joy. Our visit with them was too short.

After a dismal 6:16 finish in Lima, I managed a 3:02 time for the half, but did place third in my age category. Whats the lingo? lol? Not my best effort, but I'll take it. We did love the street music in Asheville. Very entertaining!

LIMA 42K: What a Run!

Lima, Peru is a beautiful city full of energetic, creative, friendly people with wonderful

   

neighborhoods and public places! Having a father--daughter vacation was fantastic. I could not have had a better travel partner! We were able to experience (although briefly and admittedly, the tourist view) the rich cultures of Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu in a whirlwind trip that culminated in my first ever getting lost on a race course.

Kelly and I were so impressed by the power and ingenuity of the Inca empire expressed in the ruins of Machu Picchu. Built without the use of mortar, metal tools, or the wheel, it truly is  an archaeological wonder of the ancient world. We both agreed that spending a couple of weeks hiking the trail and exploring the region was now something we wanted to do! 

Lima ia a city with rich historical and cultural wonder. In addition, it is becoming an international foodie Mecca and we shared in some fabulous post-race meals! 

Now on to the race. Fantastic group of 2500+ international and local runners. Well planned and organized route and race -- except for street signage directing you on the route. While fleet-footed Kelly had no problem as she moved with the pack, I, on the other hand was left pounding the pavement behind the pack, but ahead of the walkers. That means that after mile 18, when the race route took a turn in direction, there was nothing there to indicate which way to turn. The route was now open to the public (I was about four hours into it) I was lost. 

The upside? I ran through some great little neighborhoods in the poorer sections of the city, at one point attracting stray dogs and active children running along side of me. I finally came upon a busy intersection where a policeman was directing traffic. I pointed to my race bib and asked him which way to go. He pointed in a new direction, and I was off once more. When I rounded a street corner and found a sign the said 40K, I knew I was back on track! As I looked down at my watch, my runkeeper app indicated I had gone 28.3 miles so far. 



As I neared the finish line, I could see the race crew beginning to disassemble the barriers and stage. No other runner was around. As workers and stragglers saw me coming in, they began to cheer. I saw Kelly at the finish line cheering me on. As I crossed, I was met by the race director, and local TV and newspaper journalists. I was the last one in! I fessed up to the race director that I strayed from the route and should be disqualified, but that I knew I had gone at least 28 miles to get there (by now, the watch battery was dead). He laughed and said not to worry. He was just glad I had arrived. So was I!

All of this was to support water.org. Water.org works to bring safe water and sanitation to the world through access to small, affordable loans. There is both a need and demand for these loans, because when people have access to safe water, they get time back to go to school, earn an income and take care of their family. It changes their world. Peru is one of the places where water.org make a difference! Running for water! It was worth every mile!