Iowa

Iowa

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Planning and Preparation

I am a planner. Can't help it, it is the way that I am. The Great Race is coming up here in Pittsburgh. Bean and I have been doing the race since she was four years old. Last year we took Monkeyboy for the Steeler's race. He was enthralled with the thought of seeing some Steelers and with the thought of running through the tunnel and into Heinz Field for the finish. And seeing himself on the Jumbotron. We got to the race early, Mippy, Bean, Monkeyboy and I. We saw some Steelers, but they were Dwight White, Woodruff....from the 70's, no current Steelers. We must have asked Monkeyboy....oh, I don't know......fifty times if he had to go to the bathroom. He insisted he didn't. As soon as the gun went off, he had to go to the bathroom. We passed a hotel and Mippy went to take him in, but you had to have a key. Of course, they didn't, so Mippy stood off to the side, and as soon as someone came out, she dodged in. Getting back into the race, Monkeyboy lamented that "this is the worst day of my entire life". This said at six, almost seven, years of age. Somewhere on the course, he got a burst of energy and forged ahead, leaving Mippy in the dust, yelling for him to slow down. People all around Monkeyboy were watching him in amusement, running far ahead of his mother, who when pushed has an asthma attack. Well, the race ended and Monkeyboy has no desire to do another race. The Great Race is a lot of fun. Bean has bettered her time every year. Bird was going to do the race with her this year, because she is getting too fast for me. Bird isn't able to do it, so I decided on the track today that I will do my best to keep up with her, which will entail a lot of hard work between now and then. Planning and preparation. Of course, there is the chance that Bean will not want to do the race, so I'll check with her at Sunday dinner. Perhaps running will again become a passion for me....but then, perhaps not.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like your picture of a place to walk the the morning, so I think I would prefer doing that to running.

Of course, if running turns out to be your passion, do it. I'm sure they have those heart defibulators on the course but not so sure about the track.

Anonymous said...

Funny story. I am amazed at what comes out of the mouth of children. But from reading your blog, his passion is baseball. I say go for it, run the race and do the best you can. Sports are something I have never been good at, so I am in awe of anyone who can do any sport.

Anonymous said...

Mia, I'll meet you on the start line and we can pull Bean together, or vice versa. All of the Pittsburgh people should participate. I am not a runner, but I have been in every race since they started, even the awful one in Schenley Park. Kitty, you could be my dance instructor!

Anonymous said...

Ginger and I will cheer you on...and make sure the difibulators are there. Monkeyboy can help. His story is hysterical and I am totally with him.

Anonymous said...

I don't know, that running thing scares me. I'll just encourage all of you. Monkeyboy has the right attitude. Worst day of his entire life? I am toally with him. I'll cheer for you, though. When is it?

Anonymous said...

I will be there in spirit. I would be there in person, and Ben, I would certainly join all of you were I there (not), but I just can't make it. I am so sorry, but you guys carry on.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful picture of Bean! The freedom it shows, running through a sprinkle system. Makes me want to be a kid again. Go, Bean, I will cheer for you! By the way, when is the race? I don't want to cheer unnecessarily.

Anonymous said...

Nate and Jen -the race is the last Sunday in September. Just googled that! Had no idea. The 3 miles I do over lunch? Well barely run one and then walk/run the rest. I'll be one of the cheerleaders and will count on Mia to take great pics. Say "Cheese", Ben.