Flag Flies Through the U of M

 
      With temperatures in the upper 30's, wind blowing the chairs across the deck...I wasn't really looking forward to running Patriot Run #6 the following day.  Goldy's 5K and 10 mile run were to start at 8 am on the campus of the University of Minnesota with a grand finish in the new TCF stadium.  You might recall that stadium being the back-up Vikings stadium on Monday Night Football when the Metrodome collapsed in December of 2010 due to 17 inches of snow in one snowfall.

Mikala & Zac on 50 yd line

                                                                                                 

We woke up to glorious sunshine and 50 degrees!  It was as if the heavens had opened and said, "Let today be a good day to run!"  This was the 2nd annual race, therefore, there could be many things improved.  Overall, it really was a fun race.  Packet pick-up was inside the building of the stadium, two floors up.  Many people were still in line, waiting to get their number so they could get back downstairs, and outside, stretched and ready to run.  The 10 mile began first, with many people still in line, they were allowed to the front of the lines for obvious reasons.  As the start of the 5K neared, communication with the runners in line halted.  I was not the last one in line.  After taking my sweatpants off, proceeding down two flights of escalators, and going outside, I barely had 30 seconds to unfurl the flag and get to the end of a very, very long starting line.  The poor flag had not been readied since the last Patriot Run back in October.  The top ring was twisted slightly, and I was not able to fix it.  The flag still waved on as I began the 3.1 mile journey through the campus of the U of M.

My estimation was at least 1500 people in the 5K, no chip timing, (another thing that might be a great addition for next year), so times were quite irrelevant.  It must have taken me at least 3 minutes just to get to the start line, because it was too crowded to run, so I had to walk.  When there is that many people, I try hard to respect their space and keep the flag as close to me as I can.  With the runners gradually spreading out, I was able to break into a jog, having to keep on the sidewalk or very edge of the street, so I could both pass runners/walkers and steer clear of others getting face flapped.  The weather could not have been better; 50+ degrees, sunshine, no wind...it was nice reprieve from the day before.

Girls with Goldy

With many twists and turns (which really made the course fun and interesting) I had to stay on the very edge of the street or curb.  Twice, as I was running right beside a street sign, I did not lower the flag enough and made a big "CLONG" as I ran past.  It's been awhile since I had run with it.  All the way, I kept thinking, "okay, watch out for the runner on my right, don't trip on the little boy in front of me, duck for the tree, hand is achy - time to switch...OH NO there is a man walking toward me on my left side with a wall on the other side of him!"  At that instant, as I ran past, the flag wrapped right around his face..."Sorry", I yelled :(  Hope he still is a fan.☺

Ava & I on Jumbo-Tron after her race

Weaving through so many people, it was encouraging to hear the comments, sometimes to me, and sometimes to themselves.  "One nation under God...very nice" I heard someone say behind me.  (That is what is printed on the back of my shirt)  The police officers who were helping clapped or gave a thumbs up as I ran past.  Each group of college student volunteers, would chant "USA, USA!" or shout "Go America!" Their energy is so encouraging.  One guy, ran up next to me and said, "Alright!  The American Flag! Right on!" as he gave me knuckles.  I wondered if he had served in the military, or just had patriot blood in him.

As we came to the stadium, we ran around the outside of it first before heading into the tunnel.  A man asked if the flag was heavy, I told him, it actually isn't...unless it is windy.  Going through the tunnel made me feel pretty important, not sure why, but it did.  As we came onto the field, we were also pictured on the jumbo-tron screen which is the 2nd largest in college football.  The announcer tried to announce most everyone's name as we crossed the finish line, as most of the names had been printed on the race number.  I didn't have a name on my tag, just the flag.  He announced "...Let's hear it for the United States Flag, ladies and gentlemen, huh?!   There ya go..."  Great announces really make you feel good about your accomplishments, right?  I found it very fitting that my name wasn't read, but that the flag was announced.  Contrary to what some might think, I don't carry the flag for me to be in the spotlight, I carry it for everybody else to cheer and get excited about being a red-blooded American.  In years to come, people might remember the flag at a particular race, but not the runner...and that's okay with me!

The Finish Video

                                                             

Mikala playing on the field

Overall, it was a very fun morning.  The girls each ran a race halfway around the stadium, through the tunnel, and onto the field, each receiving a bag with a cute gopher toy and a ball.  The ball came in handy for playing while the awards were being handed out.  The day was beautiful, the turf felt so warm, as I laid upon it imagining I was at the beach...and dreaming of the next patriot run...  ☺



               

                 

       

Gearing up for Grandma's 5K & the Full marathon with an added surprise...

                       ~to be continued~