A Recap.....for the 50 5ks

This has been an adventure. 

This challenge began on August 24, 2013, with a local walk sponsored by the Fleet Feet running store in Blue Ash.  It ended on December 13, 2014 -16 months later - with the Jingle Bell Run, starting in Northern Kentucky, crossing into Ohio and returning to Kentucky.  The first walk almost ended before it began as I fell off a curb and scraped up my arm and leg. The final walk I breezed past the finish to cheers from my teammates.

I have run in a gorilla suit, in a hill-billy tutu and as Wonder Woman.

I have run with suburbanites, Hatfields and McCoys, senior citizens and college students, Air Force cadets and Army veterans, stay-at-home-moms and career runners.

I participated in races in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia, Hawaii, and Oklahoma.

I have raised money for ovarian cancer research, Down Syndrome awareness, lung disease, pediatric cancers, Toys for Tots, disabled veterans, mountain gorillas, children's after school programs, the Columbus Arts District, The Oklahoma City Memorial, hunger programs, The Cincinnati Zoo, epilepsy foundation, Ronald McDonald Charities, Hospice programs, blind/visually impaired, and the brewery re-development project.

I have 48 new t-shirts.

I have met people who I would never otherwise have crossed paths.  The couple, who told their story at race #31 (Running for Home) of waiting to adopt their little boy from Korea, finally got to go get him in September.  They had been waiting for almost 2 years.  He is home!  And the woman adopting a little girl from China?  She picked her up in September as well.

I have run in sweltering heat, freezing cold, in wind and in rain. 

I have felt both patriotic and hedonistic.  (Thankfully, not at the same time.)

I have learned the difference between "hot" wine and "cold" wine.

I have run in Montgomery, in Mason, and in Maui.  I drove five hours to Springfield, IL, to "run" in a race that was really a big party.  I participated in the fabled Hatfield-McCoy feud race.

I have been tired and exhausted.  Invigorated and energized.

I have shaved almost 21 minutes off my first walk's time.  Still shooting for more.

I have run on paved roads and muddy paths.

I have run for beer, chocolate, lobsters, doughnuts, and wine. 

I have lost weight.  I have gained it back.  And lost it again.

I have laughed.  God, how I have laughed.

I have celebrated.

I am rich.

Many people have asked whether I would write a book as they enjoyed my writing style.  Others wondered aloud whether I knew anything about grammar.  So I have decided to appease both sides.  I'll write a book.  Just no editing.

The next challenge...awaits.

#50 Jingle Bell Run

As I write this....I am full.  Fuller than ever.  I may never eat again.  Mimosas.  Breakfast casserole.  Brie cheese.  Torte cake....

......But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The final run of this 16-month long challenge was the Jingle Bell Run in Northern Kentucky.  Raising money for arthritis research, it's the ultimate Christmas run experience.  I was joined by a host of friends (who were primarily interested in the delicious brunch afterwards) but who braved the weather anyway and walked with me during my final walk.

No, this isn't everybody, as it was clearly beyond our skill level to take one all-inclusive group shot.  I was joined by friends, neighbors and book club members, Healthy Girl and her contingent, co-workers from the TCS days (that would be The Container Store for those who are not up on my shorthand) and a friend from my college days who drove up from Louisville.  Even my offspring showed up.  (How cool is that?)

This walk had all the markings of a holiday walk.  Brisk weather, light-up reindeer antlers, Santa hats, and jingle bells.  Lots of jingle bells.  

The run begins on the Kentucky side of the river at the Convention Center.  It crosses over the bridge into Cincinnati, winds around Longworth Hall and back across the bridge finishing again at the Convention Center.  

In addition to the regular Christmas garb, I wore additional items from my many races to commemorate the Final 5K:

I had temporary tattoos from the Color Run (#33), Cheetah Run (#3) and Hyde Park Blast (#28).  Wonder Woman headband from Run Like Hell (#44) and Super Hero Run (#35).  Green Shoelaces for the OKC Memorial Run (#18).  Flying pig socks (#19).  Lanyard from the Gorilla Run (#16), photos of Mr. Smiles from Running for Home (#31), Lip balm from Maui (#41), T-shirts from FatAss 5K (#20) and Queen Bee (#43). Power is Teal bracelet from Ovarian Cancer Walk (#6).  Patriotic Bandana from Honoring our Vets (#32). Light-up pink ribbon for the Komen Breast Cancer walk (#4).  Stickers from the Amish Run in Adams County (#7). Jacket from the Hot Chocolate Run (#49).  Shoes from Fleet Feet Store (#1 & 2)


It was a fantastic experience.  I wasn't worried about making a better time or where my starting corral was. I talked my way across the bridge and back chatting with neighbors and catching up with folks I hadn't seen in eons.  We talked about our kids and jobs, houses and lives, plans for vacations, books and movies, possibilities and frustrations, gripes, limits and goals.  And my kids were waiting for me at the finish line.

And then we went to Otto's.  Mimosas.  And Brie cheese.  ...and something with figs and crackers.  Whatever.  And breakfast casserole, more mimosas and good conversation.  And laughter.  Toasts and more toasts. And laughter.  Lots and lots of laughter.  

A special shout-out to another friend from college, Liza Conces.  All the way from Wilmington, Delaware, she finished the race in 26:58 with a pace of just under nine minutes per mile.  She placed #97 out of 911 runners.  Nice job Liza!  


I am humbled by those who turned out for my final race of this challenge.  I am grateful to those who ran and walked virtually in many places across the US, because the distance was too much to conquer.  I am deeply touched by the kind words and encouragement throughout this past year.  I am rich indeed.


Fifty 5Ks before I am 50.

Done.

#49 The Hot Chocolate Run

Chocolate. Hot chocolate and melted chocolate.  Oh, the things I would do for chocolate are endless.

I have dreamed about this race for a while now.  We headed to Columbus the night before and attended the expo.  It only heightened my desire to run for chocolate. The morning of the race dawned.  It was cold.  Not chilly, but downright cold.  15 degrees and raining.  A light mist.  Snow on the ground.  Okay, maybe there are some things I wouldn't do for chocolate.

I signed up for this race so long ago that I signed up as a walker.  I have been given the Corral assignment of "M".  As I trudge past the other Corrals, A-B-C-D-E-F-G are gathered at the Start line.  They are the honored ones as they get to go at 7:30 AM.  The next wave goes at 8:05.  That would be H-I-J-K-L.  Everyone else.  Except of course for the M Corral, which might as well be labeled "End of the Earth" as I have to walk a great distance to even find it.  "M" Corral goes after everybody else does, as walkers are deemed to be unimportant.  And if you don't keep pace, you will be asked to leave the race.

And don't even think about corral-jumping.  There are Corral police who are monitoring the crowd and those deemed "inappropriately placed" are asked to leave and return to their "home" corral.  Give somebody power and they abuse it.  So sad.


Anyway, we are finally released to go and I cross the Start at 8:34.   I am so cold.  I am wearing multiple layers but its not enough.  Once we are released, I try to run to catch the group ahead of us.  Eventually I catch up to the "L" group and pass them.  Next is "K".  If anything, I am trying to stay warm as clearly my blood has frozen inside my veins.

Part of the appeal of this race is in addition to water stops, there are Chocolate Stops throughout the course.    I cannot imagine anything better.  (Well, I can, but that is for another time.)  According to the map of the race route, at the first mile marker, there will be a Chocolate Stop.  As we approach, I can smell the chocolate.  However, there is no chocolate as we get closer.  It's all over the ground.  Mashed into the pavement.  And no volunteers to explain.  The table is empty. Okay.  Well, that sucks.

Moving on.  Jo and Rocky are both running the 15K version of this race.  They are in Corral J with the "real" competitors and are way ahead of me.  Maybe they got chocolate.  Hate them. Grumble.

The race continues through downtown Columbus, circling back to a park near the river.  The two additional chocolate stops are also empty.  A great disappointment. (A polite way of saying, WTF?)  After the race, finishers are funneled further into the park where we are given chocolate mugs filled with chocolate fondue, dippers and hot chocolate.  Nectar and Ambrosia.  At least they didn't run out of those.

I inhale everything.  After all the chocolate is gone, and I look around, it occurs to me that I have no idea where the hotel is.  I wasn't paying attention when we walked to the Start, and so many streets were closed off we had to change course often, and I have no clue which direction to take.  I have my phone but it won't work unless I take my gloves off. (Note to self: Buy those new-fangled gloves with the micro touch fingers.)

I start to wander towards the tall buildings as I faintly remember that the hotel is among them.  Damn.  It is cold.  The wind is blowing and it is cold. I am starting to feel like I will never be warm again.  I curse myself...running in the cold...even for chocolate...ends badly.

I find the hotel and take a hot shower.  Well, that was the plan, but the hotel has very little hot water left.  I get dressed putting on every piece of clothing I have brought.  I get under the covers and wait for them to finish the race.  

#49 is complete.

#48 Girls on the Run 5K

#48 was the Girls on the Run 5K Fall Run.  Girls on the Run is a character development program for girls from 3rd grade through 8th. They use exercise and positive reinforcement to provide girls with confidence before they stroll into the precarious teen years.  Over 3000 runners participated in this 10-year anniversary event.

Their website is filled with powerful, positive words like:  Empowerment.  Responsibility.  Intentionality. Gratitude.  Healthy.  Optimism. Nurturing.  Compassionate.  Joy.  Open-Hearted.  Diversity.  Connectedness.  

Other than the fact that some of these aren't actual words.  (Connectedness and Intentionality are not in the dictionary.  I looked.).....but that aside.   Wow, good stuff.  I'd like to be a part of this program.  Do they have sessions for adults? Where do I sign?

This run is a capstone event for the 12 week session.  And the girls are dressed in a variety of colorful attire.

The run started at Yeatman's Cove down by the river and wound around the downtown area ending back at Sawyer Point.

There were 3 waves of participants; those wanting to run the entire race, those running and walking the course and finally those walking the entire race and the stroller crowd.

Jo and I were attempting to run the entire thing.  Jo has completed many races running the entire stretch.  I have yet to accomplish that. There is no timing chip for this race.  It's clearly about YOUR personal best.  


I was really impressed with the coaching.  Some were parents.  Others were adults who enjoy running. Kudos to the dads who appeared in tiaras and tutus to run with their daughters.  

There were lots of people.  Hands down this race had the best cheering section ever.  The parents are encouraged to cheer their kids on during the race and maps are provided with notations as to "best" cheering positions to take.

There was none of the whining of previous races.  These girls knew what they were in for and stood up to the challenge.  Some finished with flourish; others were dragging.  But they finished and the crowd cheered them on.  This was so much better than the princess runs and glitter and costumes.  Teaching young girls to be in charge of their future through empowerment and responsibility has far longer lasting impact than any glitter hairdo or fairy princess wand.

I really felt like I was creeping.  I didn't have a kid to mentor.  Going to have to work on that...  But I managed to post my best time yet.  39:19....  Personal record.  (Who-Hoo!)

#47 DAV 5K

#47 was the DAV 5K.  Disabled American Veterans 5K.  As expected, there are many veterans.  There were lots of families running in memory or in honor of a loved one who served.  Many runners were honoring a friend or family member with an additional bib.  Many had KIA with a name. Took me  awhile to figure out that it meant Killed In Action.

Many active soldiers participated running with packs on their backs.  Each service member who ran received a different shirt with their branch of service on the back.  I was in the Civilian category.  Never have I felt so horribly out-of-shape.

The course starts at Yeatman's Cove down near the river. We run around the stadium, along the river near the ballpark and return to the finish near where we started.

Final mile of the race is lined with veterans from the veterans motorcycle brigade.   All these guys (and some gals too) in heavy leather, long beards, and American flag patches all over.  Holding out their hands to give high fives to the runners.

In extreme contrast to last weeks race, this race I was referred to to as "young lady"  Hello there, young lady.  Glad you came out today, miss.  Nice run, miss.  


I had a good run time....not my best, but it will do.


At every race thus far, there is a water stop or two. Immediately following each water stop, there is a trash can for the paper cups.  At every single race, 75% of the participants throw the cup on the ground...missing the trash can entirely.  At this race, there wasn't a stray cup anywhere.  Maybe this group was more determined to get it in the container.  Most likely it was the stern looking soldier guarding the can.

Closing in on the finish...#47 is done.

#45 - Run for the Fallen

#45 dawned a very cold morning.  It is 35 degrees with snow flurries.  I think to myself, "this is a really bad idea and I wish I was done last week."  But I dig out my long underwear and my gloves and off I go.


#45 takes place in Clifton at the University of Cincinnati. Sponsored by the Arnold Air Society, the participants are primarily Air Force ROTC cadets.  (Wait, it gets better.) The race raises money and awareness for families of solders who are Prisoners of War and/or Missing In Action (POW/MIA). According to their website there are 83,388 US soldiers who are unaccounted for today.

For this race, I was killed with politeness. I have been "Ma'am" to death.  Yes, ma'am.  No, ma'am. Watch yourself there, ma'am. You are doing great, ma'am.  Thanks for coming out today ma'am.

It is a very young crowd.  With Jo and I, we have raised the average age to 23.

Against a crowd easily less than half my age, (and actually my children are older than most of this crowd) I forge ahead.

The route starts near the baseball stadium on UC campus. It goes out to Jefferson, turns on Martin Luther King Drive and turns again on Clifton Ave.  Halfway down Clifton, we enter the actual campus and meander through the dorms and buildings.  There are lots of twists and turns and I had to slow down several times to figure out which way to go. (My usual tactic of following the crowd was ineffective as the crowd had long passed me by.)  The student volunteer wildly waving his hands to get my attention is usually the direction to take.

However, as I am entering the final kilometer, I realize that the cadet in front of me has fallen behind.  He is limping.  His squadron has returned to the route just behind me to encourage him to finish with gusto.  They are chanting is cadence:

Born to fight,
trained to kill,
Ready to die,
but never will.

I think to myself, I could pass him.  I could bring on a burst of energy and pass this cadet.  With a limp.  (Wouldn't that be a victory?)

I decide not to.  I mean, how completely demoralizing would that be for a cadet to finish after this 49 year old woman?  In front of his squad?  Couldn't do it.

#45 is done.

#46 Mason 5k for Epilepsy Foundation

#46 takes us all the way to Mason, OH, to participate in the Mason 5K and half-marathon.  This race should be called Running with Suburbanites or How Many Mini-Vans can you Count.  The race raises money for the Epilepsy Foundation.  It's a good cause, so I will keep my snarky comments to a minimum.

As I said, there is a Half-Marathon and 5K.  The Half Marathoners start first.  Five minutes later, we (the 5K crowd) begins. Mostly walkers.  Lots of families with several children.
There is some confusion on the route as at several points half marathoners go one way and the 5K go another.  Then we meet up again. So there was bona fide confusion, and it wasn't the alcohol from the evening before.

Along the path, I befriended a young girl.  She's wearing a Team Hannah t-shirt.  I ask her "who's Hannah?"  She smiles and says "Me!"   She is also wearing a banner across her shirt that says 'Seizure free since October 2, 2010'.  4 Years.  I ask her how old she is.  She says "8".

So half her life is seizure free.  Got to love that.

She and her cousin are running and passing me.  And then I run and pass them.  After three of these back and forth encounters, I tell them, "You don't want to let this Old Lady beat you."  They look horrified. How did I know what they were thinking???

The course is pretty flat and uneventful.  Until we get near the end.  It starts to weave back and forth through the parking lot.  We have the illusion that we are near the end, but like the lines at King's Island that snake in and out, it is a lie.

Damn them.  I hate that part.  I cross the Finish Line, well ahead of my young friend, Hannah, and celebrate 4 years of "seizure free" at breakfast.

#44 Run Like Hell

#44 was the Run Like Hell race on October 24.

Have you ever heard of an event advertised on the radio and said "I want to do that"  ??

I have heard about this race every year since I have lived in Cincinnati.  Sponsored by raunchy radio station WEBN, it has taken on a life of it's own.  The run raises money for cystic fibrosis.  (A great cause.)  It also promotes debauchery.  A winning combination.

Sign me up for that.

The run is held just south of Xavier University in Evanston and caters to the college crowd.  There is a costume contest and the creativity abounds.  I am dressed as Wonder Woman.  Jo is a TARDIS...(something out of Dr. Who).  Rocky is a cat-wench with Egyptian flair....or something like that.

The race starts at dusk and pretty soon we are in complete darkness. The race is hilly and the main selling point of this race is to run through a cemetery in the dark. German Cemetery is off of Victory Parkway and is an "Old World cemetery"...really old tombstones....no lights... monsters... zombies.  You get the picture.  Because it is the 23rd year of doing this race, there are plenty of volunteers in the cemetery to insure that runners do not meander off the path and cause wanton destruction.  It is pitch black.  The race organizers have token flashlights here and there but otherwise....  it is a Black hole.

I have said before that I do not like running in the dark and I am delighted that I can check this experience off my bucket list.  Not only is it dark, but the road it rutted and full of potholes.  I end up walking through the cemetery.  Others brave the rutted roads and fall. (Could be that they were a bit tipsy to begin with, but they fall just the same.)  And bonus, of bonuses...there is a hill in the cemetery..in the dark.  Awesome.  Just what I was looking for.

Soon we leave the pitch black darkness of the cemetery and return to the streets of Evanston.  (Never have I been so glad to be on the streets in Evanston.)  Again....a sentence that I never thought I would say aloud.  

The race is somewhat ...less rigid than other races.  It's merely the starting point for the evening as the after party is what makes this race (in)famous.  There is a costume contest during the party and this guy won:

I mean, wow.  Just wow.  Rapidly approaching the finish line...stay tuned.

#43 Queen Bee 4 Miler

#43 was the Queen Bee 4-miler.  (As with previous races that are over the 3.1 (5k) mark, I reserve the right to use the extra .9 miles in any way I see fit.)  

This race was part of the Queen Bee Half-Marathon extravaganza over the weekend.  Likewise, the Queen Bee is also part of the Flying Pig series of races held in the spring in downtown Cincinnati.  The idea behind the Queen Bee events was to have a race that catered to women.  The merchandising is phenomenal.  Everything is purple and pink.  T-shirts proclaiming "I run this Bee-atch".  Tutus everywhere. Glitter.  Make-up and hairdos.  A fashion show during the expo.  Men are allowed to participate, however they have to start at the back of the pack and get boring grey t-shirts.

The 4 miler event is almost an after thought.  The serious runners are doing the half-marathon.  Since this is the inaugural race, it has attracted a lot of attention.  Over 3000 runners signed up.

We had to go into the Horseshoe Casino to get our packets and attend the expo. The packet pick-up was upstairs and we had to navigate the entire first floor, weaving through the slots machines and dealers.  Lots of flashing lights, bells and whistles.  It also had an inordinate amount of people who were extremely overweight.  They enthroned themselves on motorized carts and zoomed from slot machine to slot machine, constantly feeding it quarters. I can safely check the Horseshoe Casino off my list of things to see in Cincinnati as this initial trip will be my last.


The next morning, before the race starts, there is loud music playing and people are goofing off as we wait in line for the start gun.  On the top floor of the parking garage, a man emerges from the casino.  From the look of him, we can tell that he has been inside for about 3-4 days.  His clothes are...somewhat damaged..but he doesn't care.  He is dancing and the crowd is cheering him on.  He disappears behind a post, then re-appears 3 seconds later to great applause. Who knew the Casino could be so entertaining?

Back to the race.

The race started in front of the Casino, winds up Gilbert Road into Eden Park.  The route goes around the reflecting pool, further up the hill to the Krohn Conservatory, continuing straight up the hill for a total of 2 miles.  Up and up and up.

It is a Bee-atch.  Seriously.  Who in their right mind would start a race that climbs for 2 miles?

This girl.  That's who.

At the 2 mile mark, we (the 4 milers) leave the half-marathoners (suckers) and head back the way we came.  It's all downhill, baby.  Yes!  

I am making good time.  I am praying that I don't fall on the way back down the hill.  Injury at this point in the challenge would be ...bad.  We started late, so I'm trying to finish before the hour mark.  That should give me my best pace time yet.

(Stop.  Let's just think about that last sentence and try to figure out where the Lucy we all know and love has gone.  It is a mystery.)

At each mile marker are various groups that have sponsored that portion of the race.  Maria Olberding's family (from the Reggae Run last October) have sponsored mile #1.  Lots of folks in reggae wear and dreadlocks.  I'm pretty sure they had beer when we first passed by at 9 AM.

But I digress.

I finish with a good pace time, but not my best.  After the race, runners are entitled to a complimentary mimosa.  I am liking this.  We also get a free Skyline.  I opted out of that.  It just doesn't go well with champagne.

Check this Bee-atch off the list.

#42 Free to Breathe 5K

The Free to Breathe 5K raises money for lung cancer research.  As we arrive, the announcer is praising the fundraising efforts of various teams, however one of the top fundraising teams is not in attendance this morning.  The announcer informs the gathered crowd that the individual for whom the team is supporting is at home taking their last breath.

Wow. Okay, that is a sobering thought for 8 AM.

This is a small race.  No race bib.  No timing chip. No crowds of supporters.  A small table at the end of the race with a box of bananas and several cases of water bottles for the runners after the race.  There are still numerous t-shirts and packets left to be picked up.  The colder weather has caused many cancellations. 

It was not a scenic run by any stretch.  The course loops through the industrial park and office buildings off of I-75 in Sharonville.  So we don't have a lot going for this race as we start out...  The weather, which has been unseasonably warm, has turned cold and the wind is blowing.  Not the way I wanted to re-enter the challenge after Maui, but...

I am a whiner.

I am healthy.  I am running /walking in 50 races for entertainment.  I am not struggling with lung cancer, or any cancer or any disease for that matter.  After this race, my biggest concern is where I will have breakfast.

All it takes is a little perspective, to figure out that you are doing okay-dokey.  We manage to finish in good time, under 45 minutes walking fast, if only to keep warm.

And breakfast tasted pretty sweet. 

#41 Maui Tacos 5K

Aloha.

As I write these stories about my adventures, I have this illusions that I am imparting wisdom to my readers.  With that in mind, I give you the "aloha" lesson.  Depending upon the intonation and accompanying hand gestures, Aloha has many different meanings.  It can mean "hello" or "goodbye" or "leave me alone" or "this conversation is over."  On my recent trip to Maui, I encountered this phrase everywhere.

#41 was the Maui Tacos 5k. (Yes, I went to Hawaii for a 5k.) We experienced horrendous traveling conditions. Delayed in Cincinnati.  Delayed in Houston.  Stranded in Los Angeles overnight. No assistance from the airline. (#WeHateUnited). Our bags are God Knows Where...and we are spending the night in El Segundo.  Where exactly is El Segundo?  Never mind, you don't want to know.  

Later we learned that in addition to various weather delays, an airplane engine had misfired on a runway at LAX, shutting down the airport for several hours just before our arrival, and cancelling many flights.  Getting us to Hawaii, was not a priority for them.

Good times.  Lots of fun.

We are exhausted and just want to be there now.  We are afforded the opportunity to purchase a delightful little box of snacks to sustain us.  (Insert sarcasm font here.)

The next day, we spend an extra 3 hours on the runway determining whether one of the engines is working or not.  Finally determine that it is (Good to know that before crossing the ocean.)  We arrive much later than planned. Exhausted. Fetch our bags. Get the car.  Drive to hotel. Check in.  Eat.  Collapse.

Because we lost a day travelling, we wake up the next day for the run.  Didn't matter.  Our body clock hadn't re-set so we are up at 4 AM.  Which is good, because the race doesn't start until 8 AM.  So there is time to kill.  Off to the beach!

The run was hot.  Now, I'm not bitching about the weather.  It was hot even for Hawaii.  The locals said so.  By 8 AM it is already a balmy 93 degrees.   And humid.  (Okay I'm bitching. A little bit.)   The course is several loops around three large hotels which are situated on the beach. (I know, you feel sorry for me.)

We start on the main road, swerve off to a service road, and loop around the first hotel.  Back to the main road, we then turn right and go up a hill.  Let's call the hill Mt. Kilimanjaro. Steep and hot, and the bonus is that I get the run down it on the way back.  On the climb up, I feel dizzy...light-headed.  I am scarfing down water as I go.  Can't seem to get enough.

Did I mention it was hot?

After the hill, I hear a runner behind me praising Jesus and thanking God very loudly and gesturing her arms.  I'm thinking that she is having a "Come-to-Jesus" moment and may be delirious from the heat.  Only after she passes me do I realize she has headphones on and is playing gospel music very loudly.   Alleluia.


I struggled to make it to the finish in under an hour.  It is hotter than hell.  It least I didn't require the services of the medical tent.  IV's strung up on ropes over stretchers.   Participants with cold washcloths on faces.  A Triage Unit.

After the race, we spend the rest of the time sight-seeing and being tourists.  We travel the Road to Hana.   It has 617 turns. 56 bridges.  Scenic waterfalls.  Lush plants.  Amazing views.  Black sand beaches and red sand beaches.  Lava formations.  43 miles of twisting turning roads. Some call it the most scenic road trip of all.  And it was.  I call it 'Hot dogs and Vomit'.   It does have scenic views.  It also has hot dogs and vomit.  Just trying to be clear.  (On a side note, I'm thinking of a career in marketing.  I'll let you know how that works out for me.)











This is by far, the farthest I have traveled for a 5k.  The hotels are filled with people who are competing in the marathon and half marathon, checking another state off their list.  I feel a swell of pride when I mention, "Yeah, I'm here for the 5K." Then they know that I, too, am a serious athlete.  We have to stick together.

Aloha.

#40 Color and Glow 5K Run

I have reached 80%.....

#40 was the Color & Glow Run held at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in lovely Dayton, OH.  This event is much like the Color Run (#33), but at night.  And the color (which is highlighted with the use of a blacklight) does NOT wash out of your clothes.

So let's review some basics. When you sign up for a run at night, it's going to be dark.  Let's say that again.  Hey, dummy, when you sign up for a night race, you will not be able to see because your night vision sucks.

Okay.  Got it.  The review is complete.

There are 5 stations throughout the race highlighted with black-lights (think 1970's posters) where volunteers spray the runners with liquid colorant.  It's sprayed from pump dispenser cans used to apply weed killer or DDT or used in a delousing event. Do we have a good visual ?  All of a sudden, I am not looking forward to this.

The entire course is marked by small orange plastic cones. As we arrive and check in, they are everywhere.  And nothing is lit up.  So as it gets darker, we are wondering "how do you see the course?"  And the answer is: You don't.  Oh, okay ...cool.


As we start the race, we meander back and forth, over and under, to and fro until I see the blacklights up ahead and searched for the volunteer sprayers......I didn't know what to expect until I got a blast of it in my face.  

Awesome.  And yes, that stuff got in my mouth.

Our route takes us in circles around the rutted horse track. Back and forth, up and down, zigzagging, on grass, on pavement, following the cones (the ones you can't see in the dark.)  Marauding hordes of people, wearing glow bands, and glow-in-the-dark paint.  The map below is NOT an exaggeration.

After stumbling and shuffling around the course for a bit, we cross the finish line into a gallery of blacklights.  Neither of us have our cameras, so we ask someone to take our picture and send to me.  On the way home we realize that it wasn't sent, so a quick stop at Walmart (at 10 PM, covered in glow paint) I purchase a blacklight. (With a wink to the cashier, "going to be a big night, yes sir!").

Things I learned at the Color and Glow run:

1.  I am blind.  Whether there are lights on or not.

2.  I am certain I have killed any bacteria living in my body as a results of accidentally swallowing some of the colorant.

3.  I shouldn't sign waivers for "fun" activities.  It's a red flag.

4.  The Color Runs are simply an excuse to throw paint on other people.  (I could do this at home for free.)

5.  I do not like running in the dark.

Yes, it washed off my skin,  just not the clothes

And the bonus is that I now own a blacklight.  Probably will use it with my gorilla costume.

#39 Tunnels to Towers

"What you do for yourself, goes with you when you die.  What you do for others, remains as your legacy."

These were the opening words of the #39 5K held at Spring Grove Cemetery.  Sponsored by the Steven Siller Foundation, this 5K honored the 343 firefighters and first responders who were killed in New York City on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center buildings. One of the many projects the Foundation supports is funding "Smart Homes" with adaptive technology for firefighters who suffer a catastrophic injury. 

Steve Siller was off duty and heading out to play golf with his three brothers when the call came in.  The World Trade Center had been hit.  He, and his fellow firefighters, rushed into the fray of the burning buildings.  Everyone else is rushing out.  He died when the towers collapsed, leaving a wife, five children, a large extended family and a brotherhood of fellow firefighters. 

One of the race participants, Geniene, told me that the last piece of the race was difficult.  She was right.

The final quarter mile of the race route has posters with pictures of each individual firefighter who lost their life on that day, including Steven Siller.    I was struck by how young they were.  And how many.  It went on and on.  Average age of NYC firefighter killed on September 11th was just under 40 years old.  Towards the end of the line were two additional posters with pictures of the two local Colerain Township firefighters who lost their lives in a house fire in 2008.

I have been to several races at Spring Grove, but none as moving as this one.  I, like everyone else, remember where I was when I heard the news of the terrorist attacks and the aftermath of the following days, weeks and months as crews cleared the debris from the wreckage sites.  I remember the numbness.  And the patriotism.  It felt good to participate in an event that honors individuals who put their lives on the line on a daily basis.

Full gear weighs an additional 30 pounds

Many of the participants ran in full gear, as a tribute to their fallen colleagues.  The day wasn't unbearably hot and I was determined to keep the fireman running just ahead of me within my sight.  He was running in full gear and tank on his back. And he still managed to beat me.  As Jo, so graciously pointed out, he was no spring chicken. It was demoralizing.  
Hey, I'm ahead of everyone on the couch.  And those people pushing the stroller...  and those little kids over there.  And the elderly couple who turned back and didn't finish.  I beat them too.

#38 Mercy Metric 5K

We are closing in on the finish.  Just like Jane Fonda, we are starting to feel the burn.   #38 was the Mercy Metric 5K.  Held on Labor Day, it benefited the after school programs at Mercy Montessori School.

It was a small race...only 110 participants in the 5k.  The route was a simple out and back...starting and ending at the Lunken Airport Playfield.  During my last race, (with the princesses) I had shin splints.  That means every time I run, my shins hurt like nothing else.  When I stride forward, my legs are screaming "Bitch, don't do that.  You gonna regret that, uh-huh"

Rocky's translation of my predicament is "Lucy is a wimp."  So with that in mind, Rocky has generously offered to run with me, because clearly I am doing something horribly wrong.  (Oh, be still my heart.  A "real" runner is going to offer her expertise.  Oh, the rapture.)  My translation of this turn of events: "This will suck...a lot."  Before that race, I purchased compression sleeves for my shins to ease to pain.  (They didn't help, but more on that later.) 

Between the pain in my legs and Rocky's never ending commentary on my bad running form: 
        
         Why do you swing your arms?  You are wasting energy. 
        Why are you going so fast?   You don't have to go so fast. 
        We don't care about the other runners.  Why do you step like
         that?  Why do you land so hard on each step? You must act
         like a cat and step lightly.   Why do you breathe that way? 

Seriously?  You are going to start bitching about how I breathe?  Who are you ?  My kids?  It is astounding to me that I have managed to make it through the challenge thus far with out her interference assistance.

Then she ramps it up.....just a bit.

In addition to her incessant sniping over my running form, she begins to suggest any male within ten yards as a potential date.  Now, luckily there aren't that many males in the race, however, this added torture makes me think "I am in Hell."  I am cursing myself silently and I should have brought my iPod.

Towards the end of the race, it begins to rain.  It is so muggy out that this is a welcomed relief.  Not only does it relieve the heat, Rocky runs faster to get out of the rain.  I manage to finish the race with a decent time, but still in pain.  (Insert Rocky's deep concern here.)

Jo finished well before me and lo, and behold, won some bling.  She placed first in her division.  I have created a monster.   

Like I have said before, this challenge has offered me the opportunity to meet people that I would never have otherwise crossed paths.   However, since I just met them, I don't want to name them in this blog as they may not be familiar with my...how shall I put it? My sense of humor.  Yes, that's it.

Okay, that being said.  We went out to breakfast afterward with a new-found friend whom I will call "Stripper Girl." (Hey, no judgement.  All God's children.  It's okay.)   She shared with us the proofs from a recent photo shoot in which she explained the use of various ......accessories. It was a learning experience (and I am all about education) ..and accessories are so important to making a statement.  She was a blast.  And managed to keep up with our witty repartee.

#38 is done.  I am starting to think I may miss this when it's all over.....