American Martyrs 5K Run 2009

Today our family participated in the 5K run that our parish organizes yearly. If I look at the right place on my commemorative T-shirt it likely states how many of these family fun fundraising events have been held. For us it was the third annual. This year we also continued a trend, not quite a tradition, where someone in the core four misses out. More about that shortly.



An examination of the first collage (double clicking on the photo enlarges it) provides some interesting tidbits. Let's start with the graphic chosen for the event and then step through in a counterclockwise manner. The logo was designed by a student in Vincent's 7th grade class. Parish members and the schools students are invited to submit as many selections as they wish. Each year it gets more difficult to submit an original design. For several years nearby landmarks dominate the submissions. Ocean, church, cross, beach people, runners, running shoes, etc. The tee shirts sported in the collages below have the recent years winners.

Enough with the shoe. The chart gives testimony to the core four's participation in the last three events including run time. An examinatino of the table shows that Vincent has established the family record- surprise!- and Connie performed way above expectations (jargon from recent Performance Reviews- not mine though). Vincent beating out Joseph was more a matter of the company he kept. He was with more athlectic boys who wanted to win their age bracket. Joseph was with a group who were less motivated but he did well none the less. I did better because I did not take any pictures along the way. Brought a camera but the battery was dead! Connie on the other hand didn't make it. She had to work. Pay attention to the bib number 1111 assigned to Connie, and take a gander at the top right photo in the collage.

Last year Joseph took ill the night before the run and still had a fever the day of the run. If you look at the photo of me holding up the shoe note that there is tag attached to the shoe laces. The tag does not indicate a retail markdown to $11.10 but rather is my bib number. The tag has a strip inside which can be read by sensors in mats placed at the beginning, mid, and end of the course. Since Joseph did not make it last year Vincent also wore his tag. But when he crossed the finish line he made certain that his tag cross first. TA DA!

This year Connie ended up going in to work. Normally we would all whine about that but in today's economy we are grateful for the jobs we have. Since Joseph's friend had spent the night here he took on the responsibility of ensuring that the core four stayed intact for the Run. Connie had her best time without the shin splints.

The second and third collage of photos are those collected in the prior two events. We did make use of Vincent's cell phone camera to take the two pictures of the group in the first collage. In the second collage upper left, the core four first entry in 2007. The photo on the right was taken by Joseph who was sick and reclining weakly in the chair. Connie is obviously concerned about leaving her sick boy home alone while we were trotting around the school's neighborhood. Well off we went.



The starting area is marked by an archway made up of white and blue balloons. Two mats with sensors establish the starting line. The participants are of one type: real people. There are jocks, young, old, very young, and parents pushing strollers. The run's start is a mad rush which those intent on "winning" avoid by getting in front and staying there. After the first 50 yards or so the course immediately go up a climb. Half way up the mad rush comes to a crawl as random folks shift from running to zombie walking. Little pile ups are averted- barely. Then the reward for making it up the long incline is a straight down hill. Now wobbly legs have a hard time keeping the body from tumbling forward uncontrollably.
Once downhill a green beltway provides a mostly level course. At the end of the path here the course doubles back. The last stretch is up 15th street towards the church (middle right picture in collage). The other side of the hill presents a slight decline prior to the finish line around the bend(lower right photo).




With the run completed the gasping runners are greeted with quick refreshments of fruit and water. A short walk to the church grounds held the open air continental breakfast. Coffee, water, yogurt, bagels, juice, and chairs! Yes- sit down now and munch. After ample time to munch and socialize the noise level and excitment level is cranked up by the good folks from Jack FM. They host a contest to select entrants who wore costumes. There are team entrants and individuals and many categories to qualify for. Lots of smiles and lots of fun prizes. Juat wish Connie was here to enjoy it this year. Will it be my turn to miss out next year?

Below is a Google map showing a skyview of the entire course.







The view below offers a close up of the starting area between the school and church. The area immediately around the grounds are picturesque and hilly.









Why not provide a higher fidelity view brought you by Microsoft's Virtual Earth.