The Race that is Summer

Of all the seasons, summer always feels like it goes the fastest. The 2017 edition is no different. As our family returned from a beach vacation this Saturday, speed was an important element in our return.

As we made it down the home stretch, a dark and stormy cloud hovered above the Inclined Plane. Cyclones of leaves scattered about our Subaru. My 2-year-old was asking her approximate 400th question of the 8+ hour trip as we attempted to out race the rain. Our 5-month-old was fast asleep. She could sleep through the apocalypse.

Without any discussion or strategy, my wife and I did a luggage run for the ages once the car was parked. We cautioned our 2-year-old to position herself on the porch and cheer us on. Mom and Dad participated in a parent's CrossFit workout that included sprinting, scaling, tossing, passing, yelling, and laughing. My awake daughter found this event to be initially entertaining and then a bit scary. The wind swirled wildly as we ended vacation in chaos and as champions. Our smallest vacationer yawned her way back to Johnstown, oblivious to what had just transpired. The rain fell and all was well. 

While it was an ominous view, it was a fitting way to return to our hometown. On the Saturday that we left Johnstown, it was sunny and bright. My 2-year-old athlete competed in an American Ninja Warrior inspired obstacle course at Stackhouse Park before braving the beach. The annual Stackhouse Jamboree is a celebration of forest, family, and fun. My daughter made a book marker, had some watermelon, crafted a necklace, and gained ninja status. A special thanks to the volunteers who helped me burn off a 2-year-old's energy before that long drive south. 

There is still a thrill when it comes to the beach. As a kid, I welcomed the waves. As a Dad, I crash harder than the waves. Most of this past week's beach nights, I welcomed going to bed at the same time as my daughters. On some mornings, I ran out the door before the girls and the sun arose. 

Running has evolved into a personal escape and challenge. Running through a coastal community and on to the sand, I was able to soak in the rising sun and my many blessings. I try to keep a steady pace while my thoughts sometimes run wilder than those Johnstown leaves being thrashed in the storm. Ultimately, I try to stick to this thought when I complete a run: I'm healthy. I'm thankful. 

My beach runs were the diving board into Johnstown's end of summer /beginning of autumn running calendar. I hope to participate in as many races as I can, supporting local causes and my Dad body. Here are some of the runs:

Jim Mayer Trail Family Fun Run 

On Saturday, September 9th, runners will be lined up near this Stonycreek River trail. It is a part of the Cambria County Trail Series, which supports the development of our local trail system. I signed up for this 5K event online and hope the community gets out there and crowds the trail. 

http://www.cambriaconservationrecreation.com/trail-events/#

Conemaugh Que Classic

"The Que" as many have come to coin it, is an awesome autumn event. Held on Summer's Best 2 Weeks property in Hollsopple every year, there will be a lot of coming and going on Saturday, September 30th this fall. There is a 5K, 10K, and a Kids Fun Run. I do the 5K run every year. My time keeps getting worse and the cinnamon bun at the end keeps tasting better. 

http://conemaughqueclassic.com/

Race, Rock, and Rise

Bottle Works is bringing back the city's marathon - new route, new marketing strategy, and hopefully a new crop of runners. On Saturday, October 7th, there will be a full marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay in the Johnstown streets. The "Rock" part of the event is live music that should bolster the celebration. I'm currently attempting to build a relay team. Years ago, I was part of a victorious Johnstown Marathon relay team. Maybe, just maybe, we will rise up again. Or, I'll just go to bed early with my daughters and not really care if our team wins. Advanced thanks to Bottle Works for reviving this run. 

http://bottleworks.org/classes-events/special-events/marathon/

American Red Cross Vampire 5K

On Saturday, October 21st, it will be a bloody good time. Dracula might be running down Jari Drive in Richland. I have never done this event, but plan on being there this Halloween season. Costumes are encouraged. Despite the theme, biting other runners is prohibited. All proceeds go to support our local Red Cross. 

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Johnstown/AmericanRedCrossVampire5K

Morley's Run 

For the 6th straight autumn, the Johnstown community will support Morley, a deceased dog, by running. It's not really for the pooch, but it makes for a great race shirt. The 10-mile and 5-mile event supports The Tribune-Democrat Newspaper In Education Program. This year's run is on Saturday, November 4th. In my Morley's Run career, I have run through sun, rain, snow, and rain/snow. Brave whatever the weather and lace up for this excellent Johnstown race. 

http://www.tribdemnie.com/contests/morleysrun/

Summer will be over soon and many of us will ask, "Where did the summer go?"  Before it ends, take a look around you and find a blessing. Sign up for a race. Support the community.  

A Wild Wednesday

While my parents watched our youngest daughter, I led my wife, my terrific two-year-old, my nine-year-old goddaughter, and her eleven-year-old sister to Sidman. The mission - eat at Morris's Tavern and then make our way to The Ranger for mini-golf and ice cream - two great Johnstown area spots for our goof troop. Here is the breakdown:

• My daughter receives the itinerary. She screams and continues high-pitch support of the adventure into the Subaru. Her mother declares that her volume is too high and the vehicle's driver could be disoriented by the intensity of her vocalization. 

• Prior to arrival, our parental expectation is that our daughter will be awestruck by Morris's taxidermy. We shall not explain how the animals were encased inside the restaurant. 

• Our daughter is immediately awestruck by a massive, prehistoric gumball machine. She is oblivious to the jungle cat directly behind the gumball machine. 

• I enjoy 1-on-1 time with my daughter for an animal tour as the rest of the crew finds refuge for outdoor dining on the patio. During our tour, a boy, approximately seven years old, helps us identify a mammal. He gets out of his high-top seat to talk to us about this badger. We thank him for his badger identification and spirited willingness to stop eating and help his fellow man and that man's daughter.  

• There is a snake sitting by the fireplace. It has fangs. My daughter and I touch the fangs. 

• My wife takes our daughter on tour #2 shortly after I finish tour #1. The tour is identical except for the guide. 

• The snake is still sitting by the fireplace. My wife tells my daughter to never put your hand near a snake.

• I am educated on snake protocol.

• Our table shares a fried green beans appetizer, combining good with grease. My goddaughter separates breading from vegetable due to the heat, creating two appetizers. 

• Dinner is excellent and the conversations are everywhere. Our daughter yearns to take tour #3 and revisit the "creepy" buffalo. 

• On tour #3 or #4, I touch the buffalo's goatee. My goddaughter views this act as brave and disgusting. 

• My wife pays the bill while I manage taxidermy time. We proceed out of the restaurant. Mom and Dad restate that gumballs are not available because we don't have tickets. My goddaughter tells me that you don't need tickets to retrieve a gumball. I politely tell my goddaughter to walk away from the gumball machine. 

• Club selection for mini golf is in full force. Seeing my daughter with a club, it is clearly more weaponry than sport. 

• There is a practice green for parents to chase their children upon. The eleven-year-old and I watch sister /goddaughter launch a putt off the green, into the grass, and under the fence. It's going to be a long round.

• My daughter loves climbing the rocks. She is officially taken off the scorecard after Hole #1. 

• On hole #5, my wife realizes it is an 18-hole course not 9. She's demoralized. 

• Before we get halfway through the contest, a sixsome in front of us has a demoralized daughter. She stands in the middle of the fairway, sobbing. I approach the befuddled Dad. We play through. 

• We speed up play on the back 9. We are no longer traveling in one pack. My wife and daughter are not even playing golf anymore. 

• My daughter comes sprinting toward me with a clear question to ask: "Dad, are you getting sweaty?"

• All the girls pose for a post-round picture. My daughter falls off the bench. No photography needed. 

• Ice cream is ordered to-go as darkness has fallen. "Blue goo" is the girls' unanimous flavor. I opt not to treat myself to goo and order a blueberry milkshake. 

• On the ride home and inspired by taxidermy, I go to switch lanes and see a deceased deer laying directly on the center line. The Subaru shakes, the girls scream, my heart stops. The Outback grazes a leg. Crisis averted. After everyone gains their composure, my daughter calmly asks, "Why was that deer in the middle of the road?"

• I drop off all the women. Wife and daughter at home. Sisters at their humble abode. I go pick up my slobbery second child at my parents'. She appears excited to see me evident by slobber production. 

• The children are put to bed. I don't really remember how or at what time. My wife and I do not make time to summarize the night's event. We are too tired and I write a blog. 

• I love my family.