King of Prussia 10 miler

Juneathon - Day #5

King of Prussia 10 miler - King of Prussia, PA

The run started at 8am, and after a long day with the boys yesterday, I wasn't sure if I was going to be up for it or not.  Sure enough, I went.  The event was at a park, probably a mile or so away from the mall. 



registration

There was an older gentlemen full of a lot of energy.  He wasn't running the race, but he was stretching with everybody, and saying hello to everybody.  I didn't know who he was, but I couldn't belive how friendly he was.

Sure enough, it was NFL Hall-of-Famer Tommy McDonald.  He started the runners off. (More on him later)

Tommy McDonald

Start

After 6 miles, we came along side the King of Prussia mall.   I thought of two instances where at this mall, I saw a celebrity.  First one was probably in 1997 (give or take a year).  A 6-5 rapper/actor/TV star who originally went by the name "The Fresh Prince."  Although he was a huge celebrity at the time, Will Smith certainly wasn't the most serious person.  Who knew that he would later turn into the #1 movie star in the world (He makes more $$$ per movie than anyone else....and that includes Hanks, Cruise, Denzel, etc.)

Second story was a little more interesting (2004 - give or take a year).  I was walking by somebody who had appeard to be "Indian."  He was wearing a ball cap, which you don't see many Indian men doing, so it caught my eye.  As I walked by, we made eye contact, and I swear I knew him.  He kept walking but I couldn't help but think that I know this guy.  After 5 seconds, I figured out who it was.  It was director M. Night Shyamalan.  (The Sixth Sense, Signs, Unbreakable).  His office is in Conshohocken, so it made sense.  I can't prove it was him, but I am 99% sure. 

The after party of the Gwiazdowski wedding was held at this hotel.  We were all huddled around the bar watching the Phillies in the World Series back in 2008.

This picture was taken, just because it was the top of about a 1/2 mile up hill run that was brutal.

Lockheed Martin - no windows. 

my police escort

A few New Years Eve parties were spent here many moons ago

Now entering Valley Forge National Park

Crossing over 422 with about a mile and a 1/2 to go.

I was too tired to take anymore pics, but I crossed the finish line and there to greet me was Tommy McDonald.  I approached him a few minutes later to say hello.  I shook his hand and said

 "Mr. McDonald, my name is Brian.  Nice to meet you."

(Nice to meet  you, Brian). 

"I never got to see you play, but my father talks about you all the time.  Thanks for coming out. 

(No, thank you for coming out). 

"Will you be here next year?"

  (I plan on it, but I am old, so who knows). 

"You certainly don't act it."

(Thank you, see ya next year)

"See ya next year!"

It was pretty cool to shake the hand of an NFL Hall-of-Famer.  What a fun run. 

race bib

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Useless fodder

Films contain widowed spouses or struggling/abandoned marriages. Anna Crowe in The Sixth Sense was a widow and Lynn Sear's husband had abandoned them. The struggling relationship of David and Audrey in Unbreakable. Graham was a widower in Signs. Alice was a widow in The Village. Cleveland was a widower in Lady in the Water. Finally, the struggling marriage of Alma and Elliott in The Happening.  ( I never noticed this before, but it kind of fascinating to me)



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Although he was just 5-9 and 176 pounds, McDonald was extremely durable and missed only three games in his first 11 seasons. He had elusive speed and used his running skills brilliantly after making his catches, finishing his career with an average of 17 yards per catch and 84 touchdowns.

A sure-handed receiver, McDonald had few peers when it came to putting the ball in the end zone. In the years 1958-62, he had 56 touchdown receptions in 63 games, including a 35-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Norm Van Brocklin in the 1960 NFL Championship Game in which the Eagles defeated the Green Bay Packers 17-13.

His career ratio of touchdowns-to-receptions is an impressive 1 in 5.9. He also caught at least one pass in 93 consecutive games. Used primarily as a kickoff and punt-return specialist during his rookie season, McDonald ranked sixth all-time in receptions (495), fourth in yards receiving (8,410) and second in touchdown catches (84) when he retired following the 1968 season.