I'm hoping that Jeremy will write his own race report. Supposedly he did a few sentences. Let me give you my view on the race.
So, I left the IM, went back to the room, ate, showered and took a small nap (about 2 hours). Left the hotel at 4:20 and drove home. Spoke to Lee and the kids and they have no clue that I am on my way. They think that I am relaxing and that I will get there after 12:00.
My mom is working so I asked the Balsans to go but it's tricky. Asked my mother-in-law and she agreed. Used the GPS and got there just as the 5Kers started. Parked the car and went looking for Jessie and mother-in-law. Found them and snuck over to them. Hid behind a woman, asked first, and then kicked Jessie. She looked at the woman who said it wasn't me. J2 is pretty fast on these things and started looking why the woman has more than 2 legs. Another little kick and a big smile later and she was suprised. Hung out with them and then went to the finish line.
Went to the finish and started walking the course from finish to start. People coming and I'm cheering. Suddenly saw Jeremy with Lee trailing. Ran out and joined the boy.
Looked back and Lee is smiling. Before I left to the IM, I spoke to J1 about the plan. He ran 1.5 miles (run/walk) about a year and a half ago so the plan is simple. He's gonna run the blocks and walk the streets. Everytime he crosses a street he needs to walk otherwise he runs. Later he told me that in the beginning he ran the first 4 straight or a few of them anyway. He looked good and continued the plan. Turns are a little difficult with this plan but he did what he had to do.
Getting closer and closer to the 3 mile mark. Cross it and we are almost there. Just a little bit to go. We pass the 3 mile marker and I tell him to relax, take some deep breaths and get mentally ready for what's to come. That's it - Take a deep breath and your last walk and GO! Sprint it. He takes off or "bolts" as he says it. I go with him, yelling go go go go and then I break away as he crosses the finish line. His 5K - his glory - not mine. I usually bring Lee in so I turn and she's booking it as well. She wanted to be sub 33:00. She actually sprinted.
They're done. We get water and walk a little to find J2 and her grandma. We go around and get some more free stuff.
This girl in her 20's and her boyfriend come over to us. I don't pay attention but she suddenly says "excuse me...I just wanted to thank you!" I look at her and say "You're welcome but ... for what?" and she tells me that even tho I was coaching/cheering/pushing Jeremy, she was imagining I was talking to her. Everytime, I told J1 to breathe, she took a breath. Everytime I told him to push a little, she did. And at the end, when I said slow your heart rate, get mentally ready for the last push because there's no more walking after this that's exactly what she did. This was her 2nd ever 5K and she beat it by 5-10 minutes. She was hurting before she saw me but I was able to push her through it. Nice to make a difference in someone's life - a total stranger. She asked me why I didn't race so I told her I did the IM followed by the little nap and made it here after 5 and half hour drive just to support my guys. She was floored.
It's J2's turn at the fun run and I go with her. We stand in the middle of the line at the back. We're waiting for Nassau PD to clear the street for us. There's a woman who is giving us fun run instructions. "This is a fun run! No fighting, no pushing, no shoving! Go and have FUN!".
We finally get the all clear. NPD cleared the way. The horn is sounded and everyone takes off including Jessie. Suddenly this big, black girl from all the way to the right, crosses into the middle lane. She slams into Jessie who goes flying. J2 is flying in the air. She lands about 6-8 feet away, 45 degrees away to the left or at 11 O'clock looking at a clock. Also, she does a 180 and faces me. She landed on her butt thank God.
She gets up and starts running and I think everything's all ok until I realize she's crying. The Stupid kid didn't even stop to see if she's ok. Why the hell did she have to crash into her? We run together and even tho Jessie started dead last (now) and in pain she is actually passing people.
Good stuff. She sprints too and gets her finishers medal.
I see the stupid kid and I can't help myself. I went to the linebacker and told her, "just so you know, the girl you shoved? The girl who landed on the ground? The one who got hurt? The one that you didn't even care to stop and ask if she was ok? Well she finished...". Then I realized she didn't care at all so (HERE COMES NASTY STUFF!) I then said, "AND BY THE WAY...SHE BEAT YOU! SHE KICKED YOUR BUTT! THIS TINY LITTLE GIRL WHO YOU PUSHED...BEAT YOU. JUST SO THAT YOU KNOW THAT!"
My wife made her apologize too.
We were about to leave but I decided as a joke to check the results. I know there's no way Jeremy won anything. I mean I saw a bunch of kids fly by before him. WHAT!!! He placed! He got 2nd place for age. Lee got 5th.
Let's see where we are. Here's a recap: Jeremy finished his first 5K, beat his mother and got a trophy. Jessie did well on her fun run. Lee, after not running for a while, came back and did well. Lot of free junk too for everyone including my Mother-in-Law.
Good weekend.
Ate dinner and asked Jeremy, after warning him that I will ask the same question tomorrow, will you do another 5K and he immediatly said YES. Couldn't believe it. I was sure he would say no initially and maybe yes the next day but he said yes. Unbelievable.
Monday I suprised them with a cake after dinner. All good.