KathyJE118: September 2008

Just crossed the finish line ...
Lookin' like shit.

So our annual Apple Harvest Festival began this past Friday. We were really excited for it since we were heading down there Friday at 5:00. Erica had to work at Alex's Lemonade Stand for a few hours and then we were going to hit the booths ... well as most of you know ... it was closed for the night ... ok ... no problem .. got in my pajamas, ordered some pizza from Vinnie's and after a small debate on what to watch we dicided to watch just that. Well, I think I heard the first question read and I was out for the night. Saturday arrived and again I was debating what to do. Well, every time I thought it would stop raining it would start again so I finally decided around 1:00 that the A.H.F. was out for that day. (I really didn't mind since I got a lot done around the house). Sunday (RACE DAY) ... so Erica and I decided to do the 2 mile Apple Harvest Walk/Run. Not a problem since I walk on a daily basis and 2 miles would be a breeeeezzzeee. Frank, Elena and Steven (old pros in this competition) are there to walk/run too. Well, the alarm rings to start the race and suddenly I am standing there alone! Erica, along with the "old pros" take off like bats out of hell along with about 25 people behind me. I felt like the breeze from these people was going to knock me down.
So, I pop on my ipod for a nice relaxing walk (ALONE) and start to reach the mile point when I see Dave and Kristen on the sidelines there to cheer us on. Well ... this is what David considers cheering me on "Come on move it - all these people are running!!!" OK ... now I feel I have to make a decent time so I did exactly what I didn't want to do ... I started running. When I felt the wheezing coming on I would stop and walk ... then run .. then wheeze .. then walk ... this continued for the second mile of the race. I saw the finish line and then heard some random person say "you can't walk across the finish line - you have to run across it!" By now my lungs are in my throat but I can hear Erica cheering for me (and laughing at me) so I pushed my ass under that finish sign. Erica continued to laugh at me and tell me that I looked like I was in violent labor crossing that finish line. NICE ...
OK - so I know that Elena did really well since I saw how far ahead she was. She ended up placing 2nd in her age bracket. NOOOWWWW.... as for Frank! I passed him out and waited at least 5-10 minutes for Frank and Steven to cross that finish line .... soooooooo who wins a trophy???!????!??? That's right ... FRANK THE TANK. Maybe if someone made me a sign (thanks Shawn) I would have won one too .....
All in fun .. Erica kicked my ass -- she came in 72nd with a time of 21:34 and I came in 91st with a time of 26:07 (oh ya - Frank came in 123rd and won a trophy).
The parade was fun (and extremely hot). Saw Al Terzi in the parade (no - this is not his house!). Had my Frito Pie and Apple Fritters - yum -- and saw way too many people we know.
Soooo ... the Apple Harvest was not a complete "wash out" .. we actually had a lot of fun.

Frank and Steven crossing the finish line ........