Juneau, Alaska
April 11, 2007
Dana and I have a friend who is the high school track and field coach. When we heard his crew was sponsoring a fun-run, we decided to support them while getting some exercise. Between the two offered races, we opted against the 10k run (6.4 mile) and for the 1 mile walk. Three seconds after the start, we realized that we were the only two people who took the "walk" thing literally. Before we knew it, we were well behind the pack. We took it in good stride (ha!) and had fun with it as we vollied for last place with a mother/son team.
My Mother Writes:
When I opened the Internet (www.wyattjourney.com) this morning (April 11, 2007), there was a familiar sight punching me in the arm to share this one. The pictures were of racers running in Juneau. The race in my memory was called the "Governor's Cup Race." As I recall, it began in the street in front of the Capitol Building and ended near the hospital. The two main characters of this tale are the Web Master himself and me, his mother.
Geoffrey must have been about 5 years old when he heard there was going to be a race. He wanted to run that 5K (only, I think we opted for the shortened 3-K) race so badly, but he was afraid to try it alone. It did not matter at all to him whose body would stick with him so long as it was family. Where his brother or sister would be, I do not recall; they may have even run the race but declared their distain for being encumbered by "him."
The morning of the race came, and we were there plenty early to collect our tee shirts and find a place in the crowd of runners. Of course there were serious runners -- properly attired, stretching, warming up. As more and more racers joined, Geoffrey and I moved further back. Then the officials stood on the steps of the Capitol and explained the route and rules. At this time, Geoffrey was inching us a little forward, to the back of center.
Ready...aim...fire. We were off. "I always thot the Capitol was at the crest of this hill. This is no time to realize there is quite a climb just from the start to the Governor's mansion." About the time I spotted the familiar white columns (about one-half a block from the starting line), I realized I had lost sight of my little boy. "I must force myself to run no matter how it hurts..poor Geoffrey; he must be frantic." About the time the course wound around the neighborhood ABOVE the cemetery, my side began to ache. Never mind that I had been walking the greater majority since rounding the corner by the city library, which was the building just across the street from the Capitol. By this time, I was "running the race" (I do use that term loosely) completely alone.
By now, the main thing was to "Stay the course and hope Geoffrey was not too frightened. " I remember eventually seeing the long downhill stretch to the finish line , where a few stragglers from the real race awaited the arrival of us late comers. John walked up to meet me and to encourage me to pick up my feet and run the last little bit. And Geoffrey?
Well, he was waiting at the finish line to cheer me on. I see by this morning's photo that he still is talking unsuspecting women into running with him. For those curious if I went out and bought the wardrobe and exercised and got in shape for the next year, the answer is "No." I went back to baking chocolate chip cookies and being roommother, but I never ran another race. My name and age made the Juneau Empire with perhaps 3 or 4 names below my own.
.....and I wore that tee shirt for years, with pride.
My Future Wife Writes:
I guess history repeats itself...
On this blessed day--RACE day (Sat., April 7), we arrived willing, ready, and somewhat able for a nice, leisurely 1 mile walk.... At least that is what I thought... As Geoffrey surveyed the crowd, he began counting the number of "red bibs" broadcasted on the chests and backs of the stretching racers. The red bibs signified those that would be "walking" in the race. Black numbers indicated that you planned to run the 10K. We were far outnumbered.
The clock ticked away, the crowd stirred, and in the minutes before the race I could feel Geoffrey's energy rising as he commented on the "hard core" stretchers, familiar runners we see around town, and his days on the cross country team. Again... in my head I am thinking, "ahh... I am ready for a nice leisurely walk."
Our dear friend, Mr. May, announces the 5 minute count down before the race. We get closer and closer to the starting line, anticipating the "ready, set, go!" Geoffrey suggests we stay towards the back, "since we are walking" but in reality he is inching me closer and closer to the front of the line.
The minutes pass and Mr. May releases the crowd! All but the betrothed thrust their bodies in full-out running strides... Soon Geoffrey realizes that we are in last place! This is, perhaps, difficult for Mr. Wyatt as he prefers to be "in" the competition and enjoys running. I, on the other hand, will go to great lengths to avoid running!
What will to engaged couple do, you ask?
Well... in my "giving" nature, I offer to "run/jog" a little of the way... by the second sprint, I have "exhausted" my resources. Geoffrey teasingly acknowledges that "It's okay if we are last. But it will be embarrassing if the 10K runners pass us." Well, no worries there... in our 16 minute 1 mile walk we finish last, only to be beat by an innocent child who can barely be motivated to walk to the end! But he does! And we do! We make it! Walking most of the way!
After reading through mom Betty's memory of Geoffrey's early racing days, I am glad Geoffrey didn't leave my side! Every day I realize more and more that he isn't leaving my side and for that, I thank our Lord!
So... will I get my wardrobe ready for the next big race? Nope! Not unless it is against my preschoolers. I can still beat them!