Memorial Day weekend in Johnstown has become a celebratory sequence of events. In 2021, it felt even more celebratory based off of 2020 being shall I say...cruel and unusual. Our family fired back this year like an asteroid of gratitude crashing to Planet Earth. Survival of the fittest, at its finest, for us four. Without further ado, this is our ball of red, white and blue fire over the final weekend of May.
I initiated the sequence with the Path of the Flood Historic Races. I'm a veteran of this race series yet this was my first attempt at the newly routed 8-mile adventure. The forecast was looking ideal for a race commemorating a flood. I could not recall the last time I laced up for mileage of this distance so I really did not need precipitation adversity. Thankfully, Mother Nature was kind, blessing runners with a mist instead of a muddy massacre.
Upon reaching the Staple Bend tunnel, I made a familiar dash into darkness. I have become a part of that unique breed; the community that pays to run. Sometimes into darkness. Sometimes in beatdown heat. Always supported by a local band of brothers and sisters. My favorite supporter this year had a sign that featured the mushroom from Super Mario Brothers. According to the sign, I could slap the mushroom to "Power Up". I recalled that legendary game of my youth and emphatically extended out for the power up. I was hoping to transform into Donkey Kong. I remained a man and had under two miles left.
Running toward Peoples Natural Gas Pavilion, the site of our wedding reception, I locked eyes with my wife. She has been my #1 supporter on all kinds of trails and terrain. I voiced my love for her as I sprinted to the finish. But, the anatomical assault was far from over. I joined two of my fellow runners at Coney Island for breakfast. An 8-mile run followed by a sundowner is a recipe of destiny.
Feeling the glow of a sunrise run and a sundowner, there were more miles to log. Each year the Path of the Flood Historic Races teams with Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership's Taste and Tour to complete a gauntlet spring day. My wife has championed the tour since its humble beginning. 2021 marked the 7th tour and the event is a homegrown wildfire that showcases small businesses. This year had the added bonus of a Johnstown Tomahawks playoff hockey game. My wife and I were cheering for the Hawks while my calves were screaming after a day of trail and pavement pounding. Special thanks to all the businesses who participated in the 2021 Taste and Tour; all the volunteers who make the event what it has become; all the community members who poured into downtown Johnstown.
On Memorial Day, we attended the parade in Westmont. This has become an annual tradition where we venture to a chum's house on the parade route. It is the combining of two families, mixing together a 6-year-old, 4-year-old, 3-year-old, 2-year-old, firetrucks, and explosives. There is nothing quite like the flashing lights of emergency vehicles followed by the spark of cheap fireworks. The 3-year-old in particular had a pyromaniac warmth on this Memorial Day morn. He captured the spirit of America with every deep breathe of firework fume. The parents celebrated another successful parade day without any serious injuries.
On Tuesday, our 6-year-old graduated from kindergarten. It was also our 8th wedding anniversary. From mileage to milestones, it was a grand transition from May to June; a celebration of our city, our health, education, commitment, and the resurgence of socialization. When Tuesday night rolled around, I was not rolling much in my bed. I had fallen asleep in my daughters' chambers.
Run and rest gratefully, Johnstown. Spring into action as the weather and events around town heat up.
Celebrate community, rain or shine.
