Big Brothers Big Sisters Night Run and Fun
We finally did it. Rain or shine, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham Night Run and Fun was a success.
30 minutes before the race, the sky opened up and tried to wash us away. Trudging out to the start line in the marsh, many of us were wondering if we were really going to run 4 miles in a storm. But when the starter’s pistol went off, all of that was forgotten. The adrenalin was pumping.
A few minutes into the race, everyone was starting to find their pace. The rain had stopped and the air was beginning to thicken. I found myself periodically running next to friends, co-workers and my 13 year old son. “You’re not going to let your old man beat you?” my wife had asked him as we were getting out of car an hour before.
Passing the first mile I realized I had a good pace going. But, as of yet, I hadn’t hit any hills. We had looped around the pond and were heading for the tunnel. A buddy of mine was 20 yards ahead and running well. My son and a soccer buddy of his were hanging around keeping pace with me. Although, I think they were just toying with me. Another buddy of mine was hot on my heels. He has left me behind the last race we ran in together. I knew if he pulled in front, I would never catch him.
Now, let me stop here to say this was just a 4 mile run for charity. A noble cause if there ever was one. But what is wrong with a little healthy competition? It is just for fun. Right?
We came out of the tunnel and headed toward the firsthill. It is short but very steep. Something you would expect on a Marine obstacle course. More of a wall than a hill really. But everyone made it. “No man left behind.” Then almost immediately, we started down what turned out to be the steepest downhill and fastest part of the race. Somehow all kept our feet under us. One misstep and we would at best slid face first for 30 yards in the mud and at worst broken an ankle and caused a pile up of at least 5 runners.
We began to weave our way through the trees on the trail. Now, I had run on this trail before so I wasn’t caught totally off guard but as we were coming out of the woods, there were four of us together. We all felt our hearts drop. Coming around one turn, we were faced with a hill that had to be at least 75 yards ”straight up”. I’ve been running in the Birmingham area for years and have conquered the Mercedes Marathon, but this hill was challenging to say the least. One runner offered the advice to “swing your arms” to my son who was verbalizing my own dread. As a group, we topped the hill and began to exit the woods.
Roughly a mile and a half to go. We were heading back toward the tunnel and the start line. Oh, did I mention that once you reached the start line, you had another mile to go? Well, as we reached the start line, the first of the leaders were rounding the pond on their second pass and heading to the finish line. Was it really as easy as they made it look? Ahh, to be young and in shape.
Heading to the finish line
Doubling back toward the finish line, my son decided it was time to honor his mother and “beat his old man”. He took off in a sprint as if he had just started the run. Feeling competitive, I made my own effort to sprint. It wasn’t pretty, and thankfully there wasn’t anyone in my way because I’m not sure I could have stopped. Nothing but adrenalin.
Could I catch my son, you may ask? No, I’m afraid not. Did I catch the buddy I had been trailing for most of the race? Sadly no. He easily bested me and should be proud of his performance.
We hung around the finish line for the rest of our friends, co-workers and family to arrive. Although my son did run to back of the pack to find his mother who was walking with a friend and let her know he “beat his old man”.
All and all, I have to say it turned out to be a great time. This makes two years we’ve run in this race. And two years we’ve run in the rain. I think it is becoming a tradition and they should consider renaming it the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Run in the Rain.
My thanks to the other runners, walkers, volunteers, and organizers.
I hope to see you again next year.
BB
