Today was the BIG day! The 5 k that I have been organizing along with some other parents had arrived!!!!! The last couple of weeks were a bit overwhelming with the last of the check list items to be completed... AND, making sure NOTHING was missed!!!! Being on the "other side " of a 5k event really makes you appreciate all the time spent to make an event like this happen! I TOTALLY respect event directors, sponsors that are gracious enough to help financially contribute to the event, the timing agency that makes sure race times are accurately recorded, volunteers that devote their spare time on a weekend to help out, and the runners that support their local community. I routinely run the local 5ks to support the local community, and I encourage other runners/walkers to do the same!!!!
START OF THE MONSTER MILE
The most fun is having a mile run attached to the 5K event to allow little ones the chance to experience participating in an event as well! All the kids loved the MONSTER MILE!!! And, let me tell you, these little ones are some really awesome hero runners!!!! As with anything, when human factor is involved, mistakes happens..... Annnndddd, the biggest "oops" was with the one mile.... see the one mile runners took a turn that was only meant for the 5 k instead of going straight.... this turn added 0.6miles to the run.... so total distance was 1.6!!! Everyone seemed to be ok with the mishap and made humorous upbeat remarks like, "It was a TRUE SUPERHERO MILE (the event theme was superheroes vs villains)." Another person stated, "Just rename it next year as the 1/2 5k run." Then possibly my favorite remark was, "That definitely was a MONSTER of a MILE!" LOL!!! So, I guess the bottom line is that everyone just had fun! And the one mile is really for the kids!
We had this awesome backdrop for pictures!!!! Amanda in the photo is the one who obtained this fabulous backdrop for pictures! She was also my co-pilot today and was AMAZING!!!! She was such a HUGE help in the recent weeks and today!!! I don't know what I would have done without her!!! We had a 3rd person who spent endless hours in the last few weeks really helping getting everything organized and making sure we had check list to ensure everything went smoothly. She doesn't like attention, but let me tell you, today was a success much due to her hard work!!!! An event like this can not be a success with just one person...... seriously, unless you organize an event like this, it is easy to over look the amount of time it takes to make an event like a 5k successful!
We were so thankful for all the GRACIOUS SPONSORS!!!! It is truly amazing that local businesses step up to the plate and support a community event like this!!!!
And, the volunteers!!!! I mean these people show up at the crack of dawn to help set up and then stay through the event...... the fact they give their time on a weekend is admirable!!!! There would be NO WAY to have the event even run without the volunteers!!! Seriously, I think I will thank every volunteer at the 5ks I run in the future!!! Volunteers really are amazing people!!! They work hard and keep on smiling........
We had donuts from Daylight donuts in Valdosta!!!! YUM!!! The absolute BEST donuts hands down!!!!! We also had oranges and bananas donated from Winn Dixie!!!! How awesome is that?!?! Publix gave us a gift card to buy other needed items!!!! Seriously, again, I can't tell you how amazing businesses are so supportive of the community!!!!
This is possibly my most favorite picture ever!!! A picture of me running with my son on his way in on the Monster Mile..... well, that is the MONSTER 1.6mile run!! LOL!!! No seriously, I just love that a friend of mind snapped this picture!!!! Very thankful for this recorded moment!
We had the most AWESOME DJ!!!!!!! Simpson DJ services provided music to pump up the crowd!!! Even my all time favorite "Ice, Ice baby" by vanilla ice was played!!!!!! AND, he got the crowd to perform the cha cha slide!!!!!! So FUN!
After all my duties with the 5k & Monster mile were complete, the school had a carnival that was 10-2pm...... I probably spent enough on the wall climbing to pay the rental fee....LOL.... I honestly don't know how many times my son climbed this thing, but I didn't care... I was exhausted and this allowed me to sit on the ground and just watch.... my legs were so tired!!!
All in all, it was a GREAT day!!!!!! Despite the hard work and time spent organizing an event like the 5K, it was so worth it when you see people enjoying theirselves in a fun family atmosphere and seeing the community coming together.....
Time for bed! Any bets on whether I can roll out of bed for my long run in the morning? Positive note, I get an extra hour sleep with the time change!!!! YAY!
UNTIL LATER..............
******************
Ever organized a running event?
Any fun community activities that you participate in?
Did you run today?