“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
~Jack London
This past Saturday I arose before the warm glow of the morning sun to head out to what has recently become my favorite running grounds, Wyandotte County Lake Park. Last week it was for the Psychodelic 5K (Fire Version), this week it was for the Psycho Psummer 10 mile, 20 mile, and 50K. I was not to be a participant this time but was instead there to render service, to make a small effort to pay back a portion of the rather LARGE amount of joy I’ve received from the Trail Nerds organization over the last month.
For most of the morning and afternoon Shelter 11 (you can see my red truck parked out front) was my home, haven for weary runners looking for a quick recharge on their quest to conquer one, two, or three of the 10 mile loops. And, in my completely biased opinion, it was the most rockin’ aid station on the course.
Erica (and her dog Eliot) were our aid station leaders and Colleen and Mark and Jim (not pictured) made up the rest of our five-person, one-dog crew. Later in the day we were joined by others: Sarah, Kristy, and her mother Rosalee. When I volunteered the week before I had hoped to not only have a chance to be a help to the folks that put on the great races I’ve been able to participate in but also hoped to begin to meet some of my fellow nerds and start establishing some friendships. I certainly felt like that was the case on Saturday. These were all very effusive, selfless, wonderful people and I had such a great time hanging out with them.
I also had an amazing time refilling runner’s bottles with ice and water, directing them to the various pick-me-up snacks that we had on hand, and of course giving them More Cowbell as they made their way into our aid station. I met and was inspired by so many runners of each sex and a variety of ages. It was HOT on Saturday. Melting into a puddle of goo HOT. And yet so many of these amazing individuals persevered and pushed to accomplish a goal they had set for themselves. I am not at a point that I feel at all confident tackling more than 5K distance, but when the time comes to push beyond that I will definitely be looking to these folks for motivation and my remembrance of helping at this event will bring me lots of encouragement.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
~Mahatma Gandhi
There really is nothing like that internal fire that comes from giving of yourself to others. It is every bit as addicting as any other passion of mine. I cannot begin to thank Ben Holmes enough for giving me a chance to be a part of this and for the opportunity to meet and help such great people. I’m looking forward to my next opportunity to help as much as I am my next opportunity to race.
Special thanks to Dick Ross for the photos included above.
Shelter 11 Rocks!!!
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“The glow of satisfaction which follows the consciousness of doing our level best never comes to a human being from any other experience.”
~Orison Swett Marden
And speaking of glowing, after spending most of the day Saturday being inspired by the efforts of other runners, I ran (not literally) home, cleaned up, and headed out to the City Market area of downtown Kansas City to participate in the Glow Run 5K. I love that area of the city and needless to say I was excited to be participating in a night run through the city’s streets.
Due to the number of people who had signed up for this event–5600–we arrived early to bake in the summer evening heat while waiting for the sun to go down and the starting horn to sound. In order to burn off excess energy I warmed up by racing the Glow Run van. 😉
Participants were given running shirts that would glow under black light and glow-stick bracelets and other gear in order to light up the night. A DJ spun tunes accompanied by dancers to rev up the crowd and to celebrate afterwards. At around the mile mark another group was playing music and around the two mile mark the course took runners through a tent that was all black-lit so that everyone truly glowed. It was great FUN.
In a bit of serendipity that tied the day together I saw Kristy from Shelter 11 not long after arriving. I also met a really nice couple who was participating in their first 5K, a warm up to a marathon here in the city that they hope to do in October. Wow!
With the crowd as large as it was, I lined up early so as to not have to wait forever to get started. I am so glad that I did. I was able to reach the starting line about a minute and a half after the actual start. To give you some idea of how many people were there, runners were continuing to file past the starting line as I was coming in to the finish.
It was a great course. At times we could see the city skyline looming ahead of us as we ran and seeing so many runners in florescent, glowing clothing was a sight to behold. Although I hedged my bets with Mary and Tori when asked what my goal was, inside I was burning to run sub-10 minute miles, especially after logging 10:22 miles on the very technical Fire trail run the week before. I went out at a pace slightly faster than normal and found myself accelerating often throughout the race. There was something very energizing about running with that many people, not having to pay too close of attention to the ground under your feet. It was also a boost to kick it up a notch and pass people every so often.
There was a slight incline to the road over part of the last mile and I pushed to keep up a strong pace and then threw myself into the downhill near the end. As I rounded the corner and waved to Mary and Tori I saw that the timer was just over 30 minutes. Knowing that I had time that would be subtracted from that as I didn’t cross the starting line at 00:00, I shoved it into sprint mode and flew over the line at 30:37.
My official chip time: 29:16. Which translates into 9:41 second miles! Woo-hoo!!!
I finished 42nd out of 129 men in my age group (40-44) and overall was 948th out of roughly 4900. Top 20% ain’t bad for a kid (at heart) who has only been running races for a month.
Two goals crossed off my recent list: 1) Run 5K flat surface race at night; 2) Run sub-30 minute 5K on flat surface.
I am so grateful to my wife Mary and daughter Tori (pictured) for eschewing a comfortable air-conditioned home to spend a Saturday night in sweltering heat with thousands of crazed runners. Even now I get a warm, fuzzy feeling inside when I think of them being there. It was so great to wave and smile at them as I passed the starting gate and to do the same as I rounded the corner towards the finish line. They were a great cheer squad. Afterwards they let me sit and unwind while running to get me a blue raspberry snow cone (it was the best treat ever!!!) and then sat and listened to my non-stop prattling on about the run.
Special thanks to my daughter Tori for all the great Glow Run pictures featured here (except of course the one of Tori and me which was taken by Mary 😉 ).
What a wonderful Saturday! It is one I will never forget.
“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder
Carl you are really inspiring me to get back into running after my back completely heals. I’m so happy that you are having so much fun running and volunteering. And I hope you make tons of new running buddies. It is always easier to stay motivated when you have lots of support.
That is so true. And again I’m so sorry about your back. I’ve got an appt with a physical therapist tomorrow for my ongoing back issue and am waiting to see what if anything comes from the doctor’s x-ray. Also waiting on my cholesterol test results, which I hope are good.
Just like with your walking, you would have some amazing places to run over there in London.
Sounds like you had one hell of a weekend!!! 😀 Congrats on meeting two more of your goals!!! And thanks for sharing for enthusiasm–it truly puts a smile on my face, and I’m guessing I’m not alone. 😀
Well, it puts a smile on mine too so there are at least two of us, :). It was great! Topped off by going to our friends James and Julie’s house for chicken fajitas for lunch on Sunday. And James makes the best popcorn. It was such a relaxing way to unwind after the adventures of Saturday.
Carl, it sounds like you had a blast! I can not wait till I get my time under 30 min for a 5k! Keep up the great (and fun) work!
I’m looking forward to that day for you as well, Tim. It was such a fun day. I don’t have any events coming up for this weekend and while I am looking forward to having a full weekend at home I am also a little bit bummed. 4 out of the last 5 weeks have had runs scheduled in them and I feel like I’m floundering having to wait until the 28th for my next one.
well it’s apparent that we have lost our leader in reading to become a leader in running! No matter what the passions are… it’s just wonderful to have any at all! Some people never feel the joy/passion of reading or running or collecting etc…and for those people I feel sorry.
Glad you have found yet another passion !!!!
I’m certainly trying to get some balance back, Deslily! It hasn’t been easy with having so many other (admittedly fun) things taking up time lately. That and trying to go to bed early since I’m getting up early has wiped out what used to be my prime reading time.
I do agree though, it is wonderful to have passions. The trick is not letting them control us but instead controlling them.
I’ve never had much luck with controlling passions LOL.. good luck! LOL but anything that makes you feel good physically or mentally is a good thing!
You’re not alone there Deslily! 🙂
Sounds great, Carl! I have never got people that run in sweltering heat, but if it is fun all the power to those people. 🙂 I generally wait until the sun sets to venture out even for a walk. I hope you continue to have a successful 2012!
Hi Carl
Well done again! Another goal achieved and a very enjoyable weekend by the looks of things. So happy for you that this is going so well and you’re getting such a lot out of it.
I think it’s safe to say you’re now ‘hooked’.
Lynn 😀
Thanks Lynn. Yes, definitely hooked. Now comes the challenge of getting the other parts of my life back. LOL!
Kailana, I can only speak for myself of course, but staring early in the morning certainly helps in a deceptive way. It was really nice out when the race started Saturday, but when you are running that many miles it takes hours which means that it was brutal by the time all was said and done. For me I don’t mind being out in the heat if I have something to do, some purpose. I don’t want to just go sit outside in the baking sun, but if I’m working on the yard or going for a run or helping out with some event then I don’t think twice about what temp it will be that day just because I know my mind will be occupied with a task. What I don’t get is the sun bathers. LOL!
More motivation and inspiration to keep running! I’m a baby runner still, but loving it. Glad you are enjoying it so much 🙂
I’m a baby runner as well, Terri and am glad to hear that you are loving it as well.
Having fun and getting healthy? You’re doing everything right, Carl! 🙂
It certainly would be miserable if it wasn’t fun. I’m just surprised at HOW fun its been. Thanks Kristen.
It’s wonderful that you’re able to give back as well! and congrats on the run – you just keep getting better and better!
It really was, Amanda. I’m still buzzing from it several days later. I realize my per mile time will start leveling off now, but it has been fun to break my PR in every run thus far.
So fun, and inspirational! You are totally getting me inspired to start running again…
Thanks Daphne, I hope you do. My training runs this week have been really awesome as well. Awesome because they’ve both been a slog at the beginning but I’ve pressed on and end up feeling refreshed and great afterwards.
You were a water bottle filling machine at Shelter 11. And your encouragements like “20 degrees cooler over the next hill” put a smile on some of those weary worn out runners. You had the aid station role down pat. I think you were a bigger help to them than you may realize.
Nice job on making your running goals and good luck with the doctor.
As for you own training/running, you might look into some of the Nerds’ fall events like Fall Fell – last year it was a beautiful day and a nice 7M course. Also there is an 8.5M at Lake Clinton. Or the 10K nighttime run at Wyco Aug 3rd. All are pretty low key, come as you are sort of events. 10:20’s on the Fire trail is pretty good showing. Something tells me you might be ready to extend the fun and, assuming I can keep your pace, it would be an honor to take to the trails with you sometime. I’m pretty sure I’m heading out to the night run (provide work doesn’t get in the way) and probably Fall Fell again this year.
Thanks Jim, it was great spending the day with you. Wish you could have gotten into the picture with us. Yes, I was the water boy, ha! I am in my element when I have a task that I can focus on and so being able to do that was fun. I did enjoy helping out and will definitely do it again.
For the first time in my very brief running “career” I’m going to start training for some longer than 5K distances. Not sure when I’ll actually do a race longer than 5K, but Fall Fell was looking pretty interesting to me when I was reviewing the Nerds’ schedule earlier this week. I’m just going to do the 5K on the 3rd. I’m not sure I’m ready yet to tackle the 10K distance in the dark on what will most likely be a sweltering night like the Lake Perry night run. Man, I hope we get a break from this soon. It is miserable.
Barbara signed up for a 5K today, and another one a week later. I’m the manager and support staff, of course, getting her to the race location, making sure her workouts are progressing and all that. Then I hang around until she returns and cheer on the finish line. She got me out today and I walked 1.5 mile. I thought I was gonna die.
That is great, congrats to Barbara! You’ll have to let me know how she enjoyed each of them when she is done. And good on you for being her support crew. I’m proud of you for the walk. Now see, pain or no that is exactly what you need to keep doing to beat this plateau you are going through. Stick with her, she’ll whip you into shape!
Sounds like you had a blast at Shelter 11. I don’t know if I told you or not but Zachary and I did the same with his Boy Scout troop out at Shawnee Mission Park for the Double Ogg Dare Festival 5K trail run. We manned a water station and offered words of encouragement. It was fun.
A big AWESOME to you as well for breaking the 10 minute mark too. You have made a lot of progress quickly which is inspiring. Give yourself a pat on the back from me.
Now I’m off to the Dibbens house for this famous popcorn I just heard about and maybe a leftover fajata. 😉
I imagine you did tell me that you guys did that but I can’t remember it. That is cool. You definitely know then that it is fun to be encouraging to the folks out there pushing themselves.
This was another one I was surprised about, though in this case it was the mark I was actually pushing for in that run. I started out with a faster than normal pace and was able to keep it up the entire run, pushing myself a little faster there at the end. I’d like to accomplish that on the trail runs too, but it will be much harder with all the hills and rocks and stuff.
Yes, the popcorn is great. I was just talking about it again yesterday.
Time for a fresh post, Carl! How about a book review?
Soon Richard, soon!
You know, I should fall behind in my blog reading more often. This way it sounds like you’ve done nothing but run 5Ks ALL WEEKEND.
Really proud of you, Carl! Keep kickin’ butt and takin’ names 🙂
(Love the pics of you next to the van, btw!)
Ha, there was a stretch there where I felt like I was doing nothing but 5K’s. And another one coming up in 5 days! Then a break for a bit…maybe…
Yes, Tori took some fun pix of me.