Monumental Mile and Parade


If you read last Monday's post than you know exactly what kind of week I'd been having, but here's an update.

I went to the Dr on Monday and got some antibiotics for my post vacation illness. I didn't start feeling better till Wednesday, so that meant the only practice runs I got in were Thursday and Friday.


Saturday was Race day and Parade day. I just loved everything about this day.

We had beautiful weather! It was HOT, but beautiful!

I picked my dad and my pap up and then we drove over to the parade route to park the car. My Pap is a social butterfly so while he was finding all his friends to chat with, my dad and I made our way down to the race area to pick up our bibs and meet our friend Jason (my run buddy that you've met in previous posts).

Local races like this bring out mostly the faster runners and not so many Run for Fun Runners but I thought more people would come out to run since the race took place right before the parade.  I was surprised how small the field was. I heard a lot of people say they didn't want to run down the parade route with all the people watching them.  I've run large races like Las Vegas and NYC so a large spectating crowd does not bother me. I actually think it adds an element of fun to the race.

I thought that since the race was in town that it would be flat, but it wasn't. There were 2 hills (inclines), one right at the beginning and one shortly after we turned on to the main street.  It was fun running past my family and friends. I wish my Pap would have been out on the route to watch my dad and I run by, but he was in the "staging area" for the parade with the other veterans.

As I was running my throat was so dry! It felt like someone was stabbing me in the neck. When I would smile, I could feel my face cracking and it felt like it was literally frozen in that position and I could not move it. It was such a weird feeling as I 've never felt like that before.  Even though this race was only a mile, I thought I would not be doing this again next year. it was just way too hot.


As I was turning the corner to the finish, I was neck and neck with this other lady who looked to be old enough to be in my age group so I gave all I had to sprint passed her.  I came in at 8:13, which is a time I was quite happy with but obviously was not fast enough to earn an AG award.

Monumental Mile
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I am SO proud of my dad and Jason who both earned AG Awards.


Instead of medals, we got these cool military dog tags for finishing.  The tag says "Monumental Mile, I raced for those who served for me". Such a great sentiment.

After we collected our waters and our tags I had to make it back another mile to my car so I could drive in the parade. I had like 7 minutes to spare. I started walking/jogging about a block and then I hailed a golf cart courtesy shuttle. At this point I had like 3 minutes until parade time and I knew my pap would be getting antsy because I was not there. He called me right when I got in the cart and I told him I was on my way.  I had to get to 8th street and of course my driver did not know where that was. He says 8th st. that's a new one. I'm not sure where that is.  8th street was one of the main staging areas where all the cars and floats were being held. How could he not know where it was?  I told him we had to turn around and go the other way. As he whipped the golf cart around his radio/walkie talkie flew out and broke apart. We had to turn back around and pick up the pieces. Ugg, I was getting nervous now.


Finally we made it back to my car and thank goodness things were running a little late. I had enough time to get my things situated before we started driving off in the parade.

Driving my pap in the parade is always such a pleasure. It's fun that so many people know him and they holler sweet things as we drive by.  We had 7 bags of candy to throw out and we ran out by the half way mark. I think we gave out too much in the beginning. I guess we need to be a little more conservative next year!

This year we were fairly close to the beginning of the parade so that meant that when we were finished driving we could park the car and then go and sit with our family and watch the rest of it. This was nice as I rarely get to see the parade because I'm usually driving in it.

That was the highlight of my week! -M


We are linking up with Holly and Tricia and the special host for for Weekly Wrap!


35 comments:

  1. Oh what a fun race and event! I've never run a 1-mile race but I would really like to in the future.

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    1. My very first "race" back in the day was a mile! This is only the 2nd one I've run.

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  2. Sorry you still are not feeling well but way to pull it out and run a fast mile!

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  3. Nice job on the fast race! How fun to get to drive in the parade.

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  4. Sounds like a fun race, but its too bad you weren't feeling 100% and it was so hot!

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    1. I was feeling fine for the race, just not leading up to it.

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  5. HOw fun! I hear the miles are the new big thing. Sounds right up my alley!

    Your little town looks so cute!

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    1. O really? I don't hear of them that often but i'll be looking for them now. It's a good distance for summer!

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  6. Your pap sounds awesome! What wars has he fought in? I am guessing Korea... or maybe WW2? My Grandpa fought in WW2 but he passed away about 15 years ago. I love that you get to drive your Pap in the parade! The dog tags sound awesome, way better than a medal.

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  7. It does sound like you're feeling better. I haven't done any parade stuff, but crowds wouldn't bother me either. I put in my headphones and just run.

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    1. Yea, I thought it was fun to run through a crowd. I didn't really notice anyone except my family and a guy who shouted "nice pace"!

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  8. Oh, how fun!! I think it would be tough to place in a 1-mile race..because, it's only one mile and some people are lucky to have that speed right outta the gate (I'm not one of them LOL). There's a HUGE 1-mile event int eh spring that coincides with the famous Drake Relays in Des Moines (an hour away). I've never been able to do it because it's always on a Tuesday night during dance recital week...so we're always at rehearsals. This will be our last year of dance, though ;-( since the daughter will be graduating.

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    1. A mile night race sounds fun! At least there is not sun beating down!

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  9. 1 mile races scare me! You did great in yours! I love how you got dog tags instead of a medal. Definitely something different.

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  10. How fun! That's so cool that you get to drive in the parade. And congrats to your dad for the AG finish!

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    1. I've driven my pap in the parade for the past several years so I guess it's become a tradition!

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  11. These races in this bad heat is getting dangerous - did you see where the guy died doing one in 110 temps in Arizona in mile 2? AWFUL!!! That's scary that sensation you had.
    How CUTE is your Pap. I love he's a social butterfly & you got to stand next to him so proud this weekend!

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    1. I did not hear about that race in AZ but I question why the race was still put on in 110 temps? That's crazy. My pap is great!

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  12. I really want to run a mile race. I have no idea what my time would be! Sounds like an action-packed morning with the race and the parade. Very cool you got to drive in it! :)

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  13. What a fun race and parade! Congrats on a speedy finish time!! I love the dog tags as finisher medals and the sentiment on them as well. Being an Army Wife myself, I think we should have more races like this all over the U.S.! A huge "thanks" to your Pap for his service to our country!

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  14. Congratulations on an awesome time on your mile!! The one mile race is hard to do! we are doing the Harrisburg Mile later in July.

    You guys look so awesome on your parade picture!! how cool!!

    I love the dog tags instead of medals!

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  15. I love everything about this and so wish we had something similar here! Congrats on a great race and I'm so glad you got to run! You made my heart beat fast because I thought you were going to miss the parade! Haha!

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  16. I feel like one mile races are weird for those who are more mid-packers/age groupers. It seems like they normally attract either super speedsters who are going for say, a 5 minute mile, or people who are beginners and want to run their first mile ever. I've always wanted to outright "race" a mile because right now my fastest mile time was the first mile of a 5K at a Turkey Trot a few years ago (lol). But, I'm glad you had a fun time at the race and in the parade, and it's so neat that you got the dog tags instead of medals.

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  17. What a fun event to be able to participate in. And congrats to your dad and husband on their age group awards. You were quite the speedy lady for your own mile, so I think you deserve an award as well.

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  18. I've never done a mile race but it would be fun to try! At least the pain is over relatively quickly. And how awesome to drive your grandfather in the parade.

    Sounds like an all around fun weekend!

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  19. Isn't it funny how we sometimes assume that an in-town race will be flat? We never seem to notice the hills when we're driving along. lol.

    This sounds a fun event! Glad you were able to make it in time to drive in the parade. :)

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    1. Ha! So true - this happens to me all the time on my bike, too. :)

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  20. Sounds like a really fun event! How fun to drive your grandpa in the parade. That's so cool!

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  21. I saw your IG picture and it looks like you guys had a great time!
    That's too bad most don't do it because they don't want others to see them, LOL It's kinda funny when you think about that LOL I guess everyone is different.
    Great job to you guys, and that's awesome you stayed for the parade after and had a great spot to watch!!

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  22. What a sweet tradition that you have with your pap and this parade! Love it. :)

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  23. Oh, that sounds like a great experience. Maybe the mile wouldn't be so bad if you weren't sick!

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