Most Exciting Finish Ever!!!

Patriot Run #10 ~ William A. Irvin 5K ~ Duluth, MN

     Friday Afternoon gets pretty geared up in Duluth, MN.  Our group of 10 runners entered in the William A. Irvin 5K, start preparing for the big event.  We got our numbers pinned on, our chips on our shoes, & Captain America tattoos in place...we were ready to rock-n-roll!  For the first time, all members in my family are running, even the 5 year old.  Our friends and one of their daughters are entered, hoping to complete their first 5K this time.  (Last year, we had the wrong start time and weren't even parked when the start horn blew!)  I'm meeting my fellow Patriot runner, Kurt, near the William A. Irvin boat.  We will both be carrying the flags for this evening's event.

5K Runners

A crowded start

With over 1600 runners, Kurt & I decided to start near the back, as to avoid any face flapping behind us.  Low and behold, Sasquatch, from Jack Link's Beef Jerky, was in line with us.  Ever hugged a Sasquatch before?  I did, and lived to tell about it!  ☺ Starting near the back has it's challenges.  We had to dodge people right and left just to get up to pace. This must have went on for 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile, with many cheers from an exuberant crowd along the way.  I even heard a "Go Bringgold!"  from someone I knew not.

It took about one mile to get up to speed.  By that time, I had seen my son, Jordan, already on the return, as this was an out and back course.  One of the reasons that I love this particular 5K is the fans.  They are fantabulous! And they are everywhere! Almost the entire way!  There are cowbells, clappers, signs, cheers, trumpets, tubas, cheerleaders...it's awesome!  The man playing the tuba stepped onto the road and jogged with us playing, It's a Grand 'Ole Flag .  How cool is that?!

There were many who saluted, ever so respectfully.  Every time that gets me. It's so hard to cry and breathe while running at the same time, so often, I have to hold back.   I just know that there is a story behind their valiant patriotism. 

A Grand Finish

Now, the excitement begins...we headed into the final corner, around the DECC, that slingshots the runners down the final stretch to the finish by the boat.  The spectators must be several people deep.  All I hear are cheers and chants of U-S-A! U-S-A! Getting louder and louder.  I see arms and fists in the air, mouths open, hands clapping...I imagined that is what it felt like to be a US Olympian...unreal!  As Kurt & I rounded that corner we had the same reaction, without knowing it or planning it...flags held high, picked up the pace, arms in the air, and hands to our ears.  That crowd was insane!  We had found the mother-load of patriots!  That final 60 seconds will forever remain in my mind as the most exciting finish to any race I have ever run...ever.  The announcer announced "American flag" multiple times.  I really couldn't hear the rest of what was said above the crowd..

Video of the 5K finish

 Man! I have never been so proud to be an American!  This was such a great prelude to Grandma's marathon weekend.  Now it was time to prepare for tomorrow...26.2 miles, #11 Patriot Run and my 2nd with the American flag. 

The flag that hangs near the start/finish of the 5K

Who Are Your Heroes?

     As Grandma's Marathon weekend approaches, I have been thinking about all the heroes in my life.  Every do that?  Just stop to think about those people who have made the biggest difference in your life when you needed them most?  And I 'm not talking about Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, or Captain America...although I am a huge fan!  I'm talking of the real life ones that don't get T-shirts made for them.  I think everyone's list could be quite long, however, I have some to share with you.

When marathon training began back in February, everyone knows how miserable the weather can be here in Wisconsin that time of year.  14 miles was on the schedule one Saturday, probably in early March.  It was cloudy, misty/rainy, cold, and windy.  Last year's race attests to the fact that I don't do well in the cold.  I had gotten to about the 10th mile, when thoughts of calling it quits entered my mind.  I thought, my oldest son could come get me in his car, because my husband was out of town.  I made it another mile, when the battle in my head was leaning towards enduring to the end.  Then it rained a little harder, the wind blew a little brisker...I so wanted to sit in a warm car.  At mile 12, I called my son, Nathan, and told him I needed him to bike with me the remainder of the run so I don't give up.  He stopped what he was doing (probably sitting on the couch, in a warm house, watching tv) and soon I could see him on his bike coming toward me.  I suddenly had the desire to finish.  I don't know if I ever told him that he was my hero that day. ☺

Later in March, a great tragedy came to our community.  A well loved couple was hit by a drunk driver while riding their motorcycle on a freak, very warm, St. Patrick's Day.  The woman was killed, and the man lie in the hospital for weeks in an induced coma.  The couple happened to be the parents of two amazing boys who I had the opportunity of coaching last fall, one of which was also a good friend of my other son, Zac.  Naturally, everyone's heart broke at the loss of a wonderful lady, a man who has years of recovery ahead, and two young boys who, for the time being, were parent-less.  I am so grateful to live in the community that I do.  I have never seen people come together as they did, to not only help the the two boys, but the prepare to help the father throughout his recovery.  How blessed we are.  The first time I saw the two boys after the accident, was at a middle school track meet.  I have never seen such courage and strength in two amazing young boys.  They had radiant smiles on their faces, just like their mom had on her face every time I saw her.  The younger of the two came in first in the event he competed in.  It was obvious, they weren't going to dwell on "woes me" and focus on their future...just as their mother and father have raised them to do.  Again, I had found two more heroes.

Last spring, I lost one of my very best friends to melanoma.  She fought a long and hard year and a half before it overtook her frail body.  I have never seen such determination, such courage, such positiveness, such faith.  She left two small boys and a loving husband and a whole slew of friends and family.  She is missed greatly, but never will be forgotten.  I run a race dedicated to her every year that helps fund research to find a cure for melanoma.  I feel her so strongly running with me, as we once did in high school track.  She was added to my list of heroes quite some time ago.

Just recently, a friend notified me that she had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and that her husband had left her during her mastectomy...yeah...I know what you all are thinking.  She, on the other hand, is still so positive, and wants to focus on the future, for her and her children.  I just shake my head with an open mouth, and a heavy heart.  She amazes me.  She doesn't know it yet, but she is also one of my heroes.

When I hurt my back and was found helpless for two weeks, there were women who just showed up to help out....heroes again.

When my neighbor, who is battling cancer, comes up to me on the road, with her walker, and tells me she is so proud of me and my accomplishments... I'm thinking to myself, I chose to do all this intense running.  She didn't choose to get cancer, to loose bone strength in her back, and have to use a walker.  She's proud of me?  How humbling is that.  I think the world of that woman and love how positive and radiant she always is.

I can't forget to mention my mother and father...actually both sets. (I'm lucky enough to have two of each ;) How much they have loved me through thick and thin and how they have taught me what is right.  I hope I have been the loving parents they have been to me.

My husband and my children, give me strength and purpose everyday.  I wouldn't be me, without them. ♥

My greatest hero is Christ.  Without Him, none of this "life" would amount to anything.

My list wraps up with all the men and women who have sacrificed so much so that I can live my simple little life, in the country, with my five children, amazing husband, my loving animal companions, and to be able to do the things that I love to do...run...and run free.

As one of my favorite artists, Gretchen Wilson, has written so perfectly in her song, Blue Collar Done Turn Red sings,

"My flag's still flyin'

There ain't no denyin'

I'm American born and bred

Still proud and united

Bring hell and I fight it

This blue collar done turn red!

to hear the song, go to:              Gretchen's song of Blue Collar Done Turn Red 

So I ask you, who is your hero?  Whomever it may be, be sure to thank them.  They may not even realize the good that they are providing or have done.

...next stop...Duluth ☺

Finally, A Run for the Veterans! ~Patriot Run #8

helicopter parked by finish line

     As Veteran's Day approached, I was hoping to find a race nearby, and sure enough, one was just up the road 10 miles.  After my traditional race morning regimen of drinking lots of water, eating whatever my stomach can handle, getting race attire on, taping what needs to be taped, packing the bag,  & rolling out the kinks, my wonderful husband drove me to the VFW in New Richmond, WI.  The finish was very recognizable as it had a very cool helicopter parked by it.  The start was a block away or so, so I unfurl my running companion, stretched and jogged with Dan to the start line.  As we got closer to the start line, we were excited to see another flag!  It was carried by a man I see often in various races in the area.  He carried it proudly.  Though I was a bit worried for him, as the pole was wooden and probably would become quite heavy throughout a 10 mile race.

The small 10 mile race group was rearing to go when a little tune was played to begin the race.  As I crossed the starting mat, a man said, "Go Jean!"  Not sure who it was, but I know he was a flag fan!  My friend, Ali, joined me once again for most of the race.  Our plan was to run the 10 mile race, then run 10 miles home to get in our 20 mile run for our training for the upcoming marathon.

The first part of the race took us through town.  It was peaceful, and just the right temp.  I ran behind the other patriot runner for a couple miles, without him even knowing I was there, then he went out ahead.  Ali & I ran together for at least half the race.  I told her to go on ahead if she felt good, so she did.  She ran with a gal and little conversation with her about how some Americans don't truly understand how blessed we are.  Ali had lived in China for a year.  She had come to realize and appreciate the freedoms we have here, that the Chinese do not.

There was significant wind for a good part of the race, probably more than I've ever encountered.  There were times I needed to hold the pole like a joust just so the flag wouldn't fly away.  My "Papa-razzi" arrived, snapping pictures like crazy, just like when I was younger at track meets, etc.  He made me feel so important!  He snapped some, then drove off.  We turned a corner, went up and down a very windy hill, and there he was again - "Click! Click! Click!"  I passed him and he drove off.  Then the course led us down a little hill and over a beautiful little bridge, and guess who was there clicking away?  Yep, only this time, he was standing on top of his car!  What a goof!

taken from the top of Papa-razzi's car

At every water stop and corner, there were Vets who were volunteering as helpers for the race.  It was such a pleasure to thank them as I passed.  The rewarding part is that they thanked me back, every time.  I just hope they know how grateful so many are for what they have done for this country.

We had turned another corner, and thankfully the wind had subsided a bit.  Three miles to go.  My husband had parked alongside the course, set his camp chair out, and was sitting and cheering like he was at a parade.  Every athlete knows, it is always more fun when someone is cheering!

Everyone was pretty spread out at this point.  I could hear a train in the distance.  I remember crossing some tracks a mile or two back.  Sure hope everyone made it across!  Finally we were headed back to town.  The flag was waving proudly as I turned the final corner.  I just love bringing that flag across the finish line.  It really gets me thinking of how our military gets to the finish line - no matter the conditions - and how good it must feel to be called to serve in far away countries, do their duty, then return home to their families.  That is their finish line, and it is a much longer race.

to the finish line!

After the race, a volunteer came up to me and said, "I am just amazed at how you carry that flag.  You stand for everything good in America."  I almost cried.  Honestly, I didn't know what to say, other than, "Thank you, I'm honored."

To top it off, I actually placed 1st in my age group!  I was so grateful to have had the opportunity to run that day to show my gratitude to those who have done so much to keep us free!

Thank you to ALL Veterans!

Papa-razzi, Ali,  & me