A Child's Smile is the Ultimate Cure
It was about 0430 hours on Thanksgiving morning and Theresa and I were up making final arrangements for the Thank You Run 5K, 10K, and Kid's Run/Walk. In the predawn darkness, the fatigue of the week leading up to the run was setting in. With any challenge undertaken, there are times when you begin to wonder what you were thinking when you set the bar so high.
With the help of lots of friends and Race Committee Members we added a 10K and a Kid's Run to last year's 5K while doubling the attendance to nearly a thousand persons. Overall, the improvements had gone pretty smoothly. Despite the progress, we received a handful of emails complaining about not allowing dogs or strollers on the 5K and 10K courses. These restrictions were put in place by the HOA, County of San Diego and our all important insurance policy. I love the race, but I would like to keep our home.
When the emails started coming in with comments like, "You don't care about families", it resulted in one of our husband and wife "deals". I would handle all "those emails"; Theresa would continue forging ahead. It reminded me of what Steve Cross, a veteran SDPD Sergeant, told me once: "Doesn't matter what your doing. If you are passing out five dollar bills, someone will complain 'Why aren't they tens?'"
By race start time, everyone was surviving off adrenaline and probably the fear an errant runner would end up running up Black Mountain. After mayoral candidate and former Marine hero Nathan Fletcher spoke, local Del Norte High School student and Glee Club member, Maria Touvannas began singing our national anthem over a hushed gathering of runners, walkers and, yes, families. She was amazing! The fatigue and doubt I had been feeling disappeared in seconds.
Probably the highlight of the day was seeing over 100 kids lining up to start the Kid's Run. They were so excited. Some were biting their lower lips as they tightened their little fists waiting for the CHP Police Officer to start his siren to initiate the run. I had them launch about a minute late so all those parents could take a few extra pictures of this special moment. The Fire Department then turned on their overhead emergency lights as the kids raced by. It made me wish I could capture this moment in an email and send it to the few who thought we were Mr. and Mrs. Grinch. A child's smile is the ultimate cure for what ails you.
Have a great week! Hope to see you and your family next Thanksgiving.
To see the race results simply click here: ThankYouRun.org.
