First up was our WoodlandsFit last long run for our San Antonio Marathon and Half Marathon runners and walkers. I don't know what training program was first with the 21 miler. Both TNT and the Fit programs have a 21 miler for the last long run. I don't know what's magic about 21...I'm a little old school and I was setting up so we had our last 20 mile long run for the marathoners and 12 for the half marathon.
The San Antonio group was off promptly at 6am. Misty led the group out to a spontaneous applause from the half marathoners. The Half Marathoners hit the roads a few minutes later. Just before everyone started I plugged the Light The Night event and recognized Julie Peters who's in our training group. Along with Julie, we also have Barry Blanton in our group who is also on the planning committee. Julie is the one who brought this event to The Woodlands and under Barry's leadership the event has grown from 125 walkers the first year to 1300 last year. The event is inspired by the memory of Lynn Stark who lost her battle with leukemia in 2003.
The Houston Half Marathon training group always arrives early, well ahead of their 6:30 start. This was a big fall back and rest week. They all did their first double digit run of 10 miles last week so an easy 6 miler in perfect weather was a breeze. They all looked great.
The San Antonio groups did very well and after a little taper period should all be race ready on Nov 16th.
I didn't have time to have breakfast or talk much after the run as today is the second annual Zoo Boo day for my granddaughter. I was home by 11 and back out the door in 30 minutes with my wife Sandie to pick up my daughter Shannon and granddaughter Elle. My daughter Keriann and her husband Chris were also there which made this a very nice family outing.
After a long day I was finally home around 7pm and crashed shortly after.
Future runner Elle is ready for Zoo Boo
A little stroller nutrition plan
Maybe a future triathlete with a stop at the tattoo tent
My favorite ladies - daughters Shannon & Keriann, granddaughter Elle, wife SandieSunday was another early start as I had TWRC tent duty at the Koala/Houston Half Marathon. I was a little later than I had wanted. I had planned on being there at 5am and was just leaving Spring at that time. Jon Walk gave me a call and said he was a "ground zero" already. Later I found out that he actually did a bike ride at 2am. I don't know how he does it.
The Houston Striders have a different race director this year and they didn't miss a beat. I was greeted by a volunteer who walked me to our tent location. I was set up and ready by 5:40. The TWRC and Fit runners started arriving around 6. I personally don't like the three loop course on Allen Parkway but I will give the Striders a big "Job Well Done" shout as the race was first class. We had many TWRC and WoodlandFit members do really well.
Jay Hilscher, race director of the Texas Independence Relay, was also there. We had a chance to visit some. He was still putting his shoes on about 5 minutes before the race started and after he finished he said in is laid back and always humorous way, "yea...two mistakes...I didn't warm up and I went out too fast". His time ? How about a 1:15:38 for 11th overall and 3rd in his age group!
I have to mention that the Seven Hills Running Clubs new President, Norman Langwell, recorded a 2 minute PR. A big congrats on the PR and the new position with the club.
After awards I packed up the tent with the help of Jon Walk, Jim Braden and Houston Harrier and Honorary TWRC member Russell Meyer. Russell was a big help getting everything to the car and packed. I'm still having some issues with my knee and it was getting progressively worse standing around on it. The weird thing is standing for a long time makes it worse. Moving around is not bad at all.
I had a couple hours at the house and was off to Market Street for our Light The Night Walk. Our early crew was setting up, the National Charity League volunteers were busy moving supplies around. My main roll is pretty much the course which includes the start. My volunteers wouldn't be arriving until 6pm. I met TWRC runners Joe & Missie Martinez at 3pm who were bringing supplies they offered from Spectrum Catering. They had donated the helium for the balloons, the use of two popcorn machines with supplies, 20 tables, all the ice , and a light tower to be used out on the course.
We have a very strong planning committee with Julie Peters, Robin Graves, Barry Blanton, myself, Payton Davenport, Roxanne Davis (YMCA) , Jenny Taylor (Market Street), Meghan Sturrock, Joe & Missie Martinez (Spectrum), Julie Bell, Misty Moody (LLS), and Jennifer Tucker (LLS). Roxanne is the race director for Run Thru the Woods on Thanksgiving and Meghan has been the co-race director of Ten for Texas, CB&I Tri and the Muddy Trails 5K. Joe and Missie's company organizes big events so we have a lot of experience in the group.
If you were in Market Street anytime from 1:30 - 5:30pm you would have seen the committee members each organizing a separate area for the walk. In our fourth year we all know what needs to get done and we're busy making it happen.
Our police arrived right on time at 5pm, a big thanks to Montgomery County Sheriff Brent Aiken for organizing this for us. Luke's arrived and erected the start tower about the same time. Mick Long and Rick Cook set things up and were joined later by other Luke's employees. The Oak Ridge and The Woodlands JRROTC students arrived along with the adult volunteers at 6pm. We had short meeting. With my knee really not doing well from the long day an eleventh hour decision was made to put Debbie Tripp in charge as the Course Marshall. This is the job I usually do. I'm such a control freak with things like this that it was very hard for me to give up control even though I know Debbie would do a great job...which she did.
Jon Walk arrived and tied in with Dana Tyson. Dana would be our program MC and Jon was our start line announcer. They worked a plan together were they shared the duties and they sounded awesome together.
I saw Bill and Dana-Sue Crews and Kim Hager and her daughter Hanna but I was getting into my busy timeline so I couldn't do much more than to say hi.
Kim and Hanna looking too cuteI worked at the start line along side Michael Kove. Shortly after Congressman Kevin Brady addressed the crowd we were lighting the night with over 1000 walkers.
The event was very successful this year. There is still room for improvement but we're getting a lot closer to where we want it to be. Thank you to everyone who helped. In my talk with the JRROTC students just before the walk started I mentioned that when there is a cure for cancer in the future that just by the giving of two hours of their time that they are now directly part of that cure.
In a note from Barry Blanton the day after the event he sums up the evening....and some props to the committee.
In spite of the hurricane, and in spite of the economy, we went well over our secret goal. What a great accomplishment for a great cause. Money is still coming in and I expect we will be well over $210K maybe even hitting $220K! I am so proud of our committee and our community. Last night was a very special night. You all played a huge role in making it all possible. Thanks so very much to each of you for the hard work below…
Julie P. – Work on food, band, sponsors and all you do!
Julie B. – Special new addition – The VIP Reception. It was awesome! (and we want it again next year)
Roxanne – Great publicity, and work with sound, food and sponsors!
Jenny – Wonderful support for the venue, layout, tents and set-up.
Payton – Work on sponsors, the Papa’s event and your great team!
Bill – The King of logistics!
Meghan – Work with volunteers and food sponsors!
Missy & Joe – All the support and in-kind donations from Spectrum!
Misty & Jennifer – All kinds of hard work on the whole event!
2 comments:
um...I was Minnie Mouse for Halloween too. This year. LOL!!!!
Your family is beautiful.
Post a Comment