Maggie's Place Run

K-dawg and I ran it as usual, and the kids did the kids dash.

Cols Day Weekend at the Cabin

We didn't make it out camping this year on Columbus Day weekend. It started out with the Maggie's Run at Tempe Town Lake. It was just Kevin and I, no families, which wasn't as fun. I had forgot to pre-register us, so I missed out on an adult shirt but got a female for Bobbins. I ran the 10K in 53:14 to finish 18th out of 117.

From Tempe we picked up our families and headed north. He and I took some of the kids shooting, then had our annual wood chopping and fire by the garage.

We also packed everyone into one vehicle for a Bearizona visit. We had dinner in Williams and stayed the one night.

Nun Run 2017

I was late to my own building project because that morning was the Nun Run out in Tempe. I've done this every year and love the cause, so there was no way I was going to miss it. Our carpool buddies also ran, so the girls stuck with the mom so I could do my 10K. I ended up finishing 15th overall with a time of 48:08. That was third in my age group (30-39), in which I was the highest. I had a couple photos of the girls but am not sure what happened to them. We had a great time, of course, and I was very proud of the girls.

Maggie's Place Run 2016

I'm a little out of order, as this year's Maggie's Place Run was before Baby Jack's birth. In fact, I thought for sure the little stinker was going to be born that morning so that we couldn't head out to Tempe for the event. Thankfully, he waited. And also thankfully, Coach came along to watch the kids. Bobbins stayed home to rest. The Schaefers joined us this year.

Kevin and I finished 31st and 32nd, respectively, in the men's 10K. We both came in at just under 52 minutes, which is roughly just over 8 min miles. Not bad considering it rained on us the whole way and we are getting old (at least I am).

Last year the kids' dash got rained out, and sure enough, so did this year. Coach slipped in the mud and hurt his hip. He consoled himself by wolfing down a bunch of the free hand-outs from the booths. I think I ended up with two boxes of granola bars before everyone folded up to avoid the weather.

2016 Nun Run

Both girls joined me for this year's Nun Run, as did Karin. Bobbins was game enough to truck the boys out at that early hour, even though it's getting harder to get us all there. I finished the 10K in 45:33, which was 12th overall ahead of the first place woman. To avoid a repeat of last year losing MM, I stuck with her and JoJo stuck with Karin. MM went the whole way in the 1 mile with some encouragement. JoJo and Karin took a shortcut and went about a quarter mile. You can see Karin and the girls ahead of me (in red shirt) in the picture below at right.

 

 

Maggie's Place Run

Just us out this year for the Maggie's Place Run in Tempe (no Schaefers or Jacopone). I enjoyed the solo time, finishing the 10K in 51:31, which was 26th overall. Unfortunately, it started to rain heavily during the Kids Dash, so the girls didn't get to run, but they got their t-shirts. MM was a big help holding T Fish for her mom.

Nun Run 2015

I signed both girls up for the 1 mile dash and myself for the 10K for this year's Nun Run. Unfortunately, Jacopone was out of town and Kevin couldn't make it down, so it was just me.  But, without Jack there, I managed to take second place in the Division with a time of 47 minutes even, 7th overall, roughly a 7:30 pace.  Pretty good for me.  The girls enjoyed running their mile.  JoJo made it about halfway with my help.  MM made it about 2/3 of the way before realizing I wasn't there and stopping to find someone to help her.  Of course, Bobbins and I didn't know where she was, and it was a little scary.  Fr. Kline announced her name on the PA while I started trotting out to find her.  She did exactly what she was supposed to, thankfully, and all was well.  Still, more of a scare than we would've liked.

 

 

 Bobbins and the kids played at the playground while waiting for me, and met me at the finish line.  It was fun to run into the chute with them.

 

 I got a little medal for 2nd place in the Division.  This is our friend Justin who ran the 5K.



JoJo, the big star, was featured prominently in the Catholic Sun's write-up about the race.

2014 Race for Maggie's Place

Did the 10K again this year, running alongside Kevin and trying to catch up to Jack.  Which I did, but he somehow managed to pull ahead at the very end.  Made him earn it though.  I finished in just over 48min, which is roughly an 8min pace.

The girls did the Kids Dash, which was fun.  That's JoJo in the center in the blue shirt.  Their favorite part was probably running with their neighbor friends.  It was nice to have Bobbins and Owen out there too.  A great family event.

Pats Run 2014

Jacopone came out to Tempe with me this year for his first Pat's Run.  Bobbins was a trooper as usual lugging the three kids.  Jacopone finished a couple minutes ahead of me, while I posted a pretty good time of 30:03.  We enjoyed the fair afterward, and I got my usual Sun Devil autographs, including QB Taylor Kelly.  My sister Katie also ran this year but mistakenly put herself in one of the last corrals, so that Jacopone and I finished about an hour ahead of when she started.  She did well though.  The first pic is her nearing the stadium finish.

Afterward, we walked over to the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center, where Zeus (Zach) works.  He was finishing up his shift so we checked the place out.  Pretty cool.  Would be fun to swim and dive there someday.  Aunt Katie snapped a family shot of us.

2014 Nun Run

Kevin and Jacopone made out with me this year, and we had some special cheerleaders toward the end of the route.  Jacopone, in usual form, won first place in our division (men 30-39) with a time shy of 45 minutes.  I finished at 47:01 and fourth place, although we're pretty sure the Asian dude that took second cheated (Jacopone passed him twice and I passed him at the 3/4 mark).  Despite tripping on my own shoelaces, it was a great time, as always.

 

 

 

 

Sis Citites 5K

Solo again this year at this run, like last year, but unlike last year, didn't run as well.  A whole minute slower actually, clocking in at 22:18 (a 7:11 pace).  That mysterious 89 year old (who didn't age from last year...) was in the top 3 again, and a 46 year old won it with a time of 17:14 (a 5:33 pace).  I was 8th out of 80.  Maybe next year Bobbins and the girls will make it out.

MP9K 2013

This year the Schaefer's made it out to join us at the Race for Maggie's Place at Tempe Town Lake.  Kevin and I ran the 10K.  I finished in 51:37, which is just about 8.5min/mile, a little slower than my usual 8's.  But after the long day of yardwork and lack of sleep from the previous day, I wasn't too bummed.  MM wore her yellow shirt while I donned last year's orange shirt.  MM warmed had to warm her hands in the cool temp's.

MM found her ole friend and the kids posed by the water before the start.  Bobbins got a good shot of Kev and I taking off.

 

I was really proud of the girls.  Both ran the whole distance of the kids dash (200 yards), finishing strong.  They are going to be good athletes.  And yes, they had fun.  JoJo esp. liked the chocolate milk at the end.