3 Bugeys and a Wagon

3 Bugeys and a Wagon
11/13/2010 - 5k Stomp Out Hunger: Immaculata Collge

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Healthy Kids Running Series - Week #1

Healthy Kids Running Series - Race #1 of 5
Rustin High School


A five week running series where K-1 run a 1/4 mile.  The boys are now official runners, just like their Daddy.





Saturday, September 14, 2013

The Savage Race

The Savage Race
Skirmish, PA






When you here obstacles named "Nut Smasher, Tazed, and Thor's Grundle," you know you are in for a treat.

Savage Race Pennsylvania 2013


So John, Jared, and I make our way up towards the Poconos.  This was at the same venue I did the Warrior Dash a few years ago.  We met our friend Mark Redwine there and took a few pre-race photos.







When we looked at the obstacles, we noticed that there was a lot of mud and water that we had to go through.  What we weren't counting on was the 50% weather.  It was quite chilly for a September morning, and not exactly weather you want to get wet in.  Nevertheless, we got ready for our 9:20 heat.

I, of course, thinking outside the box decided to run without a shirt on.  It was so cold that I didn't want to have a wet shirt stuck to me for the entire run, considering we were going to be completely submerged in water within the first 100 yards.  We lined up in our coral and got right up front.  The first obstacle was 100 yards away, and I wanted to be the first one to conquer it.  I ran screaming with Gwiz right next to me.  I am in no condition to sprint, but thats what I did anyway.  I imagine it was a frightening sight.  I didn't care though as I approached "Shriveled Richard"  (take a second and think about that name).

So here is what "Shriveled Richard" looks like.  Keep in mind, this was not an 80 degree day.  This was a 50 degree day with some slight wind and 9:20am in the morning (and I am shirtless).




Needless to say, it was a brutal way to start the race.  Thats ok though, the toughest part is now behind us.  (yeah, right!)


And here we have Davy Jones Locker.  I nice 10 foot jump into a water pit on a nice cold day in September.  Hey, at least it washed the mud off.






Can't wait to do this again next year.  We just need warmer weather.













Sunday, September 8, 2013

Namaste 5k

Namaste 5k
(virtual run)




So what was the race for you ask....."All monetary profits from this race will be donated directly BuildOn and our efforts to build a school alongside the community in Nicaragua, and will be supporting  access to education for ALL. " (taken straight from the website  Namaste 5k)


The day before, I took the boys to Sesame Place.  We met the Grahams there a few hours later (Tommy, Krissy, Jennifer, and Susan).  The 3 kids had a blast, and passed out on the car rides home.  Sure enough, the four adults were exhausted.

So when Sunday morning rolled around, I was pretty tired from the day before.  I really didn't want to get up and run, but I did have child coverage, so I thought I would get out and do my 5k.  I literally just ran up and down my street for about 40 minutes or so.  I have no idea how far I went, but I know it was more than 5k.

After the race, I had the boys make a sign with me for Kristie Regan McCourt's facebook page (race organizer).  Of course I had Jen Graham take the picture.  Notice the 5k at the bottom is not in the picture.


Seriously Jen Graham, did you really cut out the 5k in the bottom of the picture when you took it?


What the hell does "Namaste" mean?  Beats me, so I looked it up.  

I spent the rest of the of the week trying to drop the word into conversation at least once a day.  I don't even know if I am saying it right, but I get an A for effort.  I also got a gift card to Target (randomly selected for participating) which is nice.

I was proud of doing this run, because I really didn't want to physically do it.  I had already donated, and I almost convinced myself that I did my good deed anyway by donating in the first place.  But something just wasn't sitting well with me that morning, and I told myself I needed to run (and I knew I could make a cool sign with the boys, so that gave me a little extra motivation.).  Well worth it.  

Monday, September 2, 2013

Labor Pain Endurance Run (marathon).


Labor Pain Ultra Marathon
Reading Liederkranz German Singing & Sports Club, 
Reading, PA.

I have been looking forward to doing this race for a year.  12 hour time limit.  Plenty of time to finish 26.2 miles.  The race is put on by Pretzel City Sports (my favorite racing company)

Labor Pain 12 Hour Endurance Trail Marathon




tech race tee





long sleeve finisher's windbreaker

logo




participant mug





Runners have 12 hours to run as far as they want.  Some runners run for all 12 hours, others run for a particular distance (marathon, 50k, 40 miles, 50 miles, etc.).  The course is a 5 mile loop.  The start/finish is at the Reading Liederkranz German Singing & Sports Clubs.  Most people ran in groups, and they pitched tents and what not for the day.  Runners could complete a lap, and then rest for a while if they so chose to do so.

Race was supposed to start at 7:30, but didn't go off until closer to 7:45.  I had 12 hours and I was in absolutely no hurry at all.  I have had two unsuccessful attempts at trail marathons, and I wanted to make sure the 3rd time was a charm.

So off we go at 7:45.  The course was really tough.  Lots of steep hills that required walking.  Every time I completed a lap, I would stop for 5 or 10 minutes and get something to eat and drink.  They had tons of food at the start/finish.  They also had a food/drink station at the 2.5 mile marker.  By lap #3, they had beer there.  I just took one picture today



I set a personal record today of 5 beers.  I dare a Kenyon to try and do that during a marathon.  That amount of beer would kill a Kenyon.

After lap #5, they have a maker that is 0.6 miles out (so you run out to it, turn around, and come back to finish the 26.2 miles).  That last 1.2 miles was really fun.  I took my time and enjoyed the scenery, knowing I was going to finish.

So my first trail marathon is in the books.  Afterwards, I got to pick up the boys on my way home, get showered and dressed, and headed out to Hartman Ho Down.


This was marathon #5, and it is dedicated to Nate Bauer




Many know Nate (pictured above with my son Nathan) as a great father, husband, brother, son, teammate, and friend...I though got to share a unique experience with Nate 14 years ago. A tall tale is a story with unbelievable elements, related as if it were true and factual. Nate and I were part of such a tall tale. Some of what you are about to read is fact, while some is fiction. We are all guilty of telling stories from our personal history that get exaggerated and embellished over time. The old saying “when the legend becomes fact, then print the legend” is something that comes to mind for me right now. Just know that I can say with 100% assurance, that 50% of what you are about to read is true.

So it was May of 1999, and two of the biggest sports stars were gracefully saying their good byes to the sports that they proudly promoted and blessed with their presence. The first of course was the hockey legend known as “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky. The second was the one they called “Booger” in lacrosse. While Gretzky’s #99 was retired all throughout hockey, I did tell the lacrosse federation that I wanted no such honor. There were too many children who wanted to wear #21 in lacrosse, and why deprive them of such a fantasy. After all, the children are our future, and we should teach them well and let them lead the way.

I was a senior playing my last game for Cabrini. We were playing an away game that was in my home town of West Chester. The Golden Rams were kicking the crap out of the Cavs, and the game just could not end quick enough for me. It was late in the fourth quarter ,and out trots a freshman for the Rams to guard me. He was a strapping young stud who had a familiar look to him. Sure enough, it was Nate Bauer. Now as I said, I just wanted the game to end, do my interviews with ESPN, sign some autographs, and say good bye to the sport that brought me so much joy (and for all the others who were so lucky to see me play). However, I could not pass up such a golden opportunity to take Nate one-on-one, just for old times sake. I had been playing lacrosse with and against Bauers for so long, that it would be fun to go against a Bauer one last time.

Now of course, I just can’t do this without increasing the stakes. What fun would that be? So, I told Nate that I would make a wager with him. I said “Nate, if I beat you and score, you have to run around the stadium track in nothing but your jock strap and helmet,.” Nate looked a little worried for about a tenth of a second, and then uttered the following: “OK, Booger. Thats fair. But if you take me one-on-one, and I embarrass you so bad by literally knocking your stick right out of your hand.......you need to name your first born son after me.”

and as they say......the rest is history.