Beaver Stadium Run

This morning, I got to do something that many Penn State fans can only dream about.

I ran through the tunnel at Beaver Stadium onto the field.

It was the culmination of a three mile race to benefit Special Olympics, sponsored by the Paterno Family.

Sue Paterno was there, but I really couldn't see her.  There were over 4,000 runners entered in the race.  I'm short.  I found a spot somewhere between the sign that said pace of 7-8:00 and the sign that said pace of 9-10:00.  My final pace was 7:36, but I usually run between 8:20 and 9:00.  There wasn't a sign for 8-9:00!  I should have moved up, because I spent the first half mile trying to pass other people on Curtin Road, and it was kind of like the crowd at Walmart on Black Friday.  (Honestly, I have never shopped on Black Friday, so I have no idea if it was like that or not.)

I came in 165th with a time of 22:48.  Not my best ever, but I still got to high five Franco Harris at the finish line!

This is what it looked like.  I felt like I was all knees and elbows surging across the field, but I was probably more limp and drag.  Of course, this isn't me crossing the line--I'm taking the damned picture and trying to inflate my lungs at this point.  Where is that oxygen tent?

So winded from my run, and praying for some beer and donuts, I head outside to where the refreshments are located.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

SERIOUSLY?  BANANAS?????!!!!!!  I could have died here today.  Or sprained an ankle.  My toenail might turn black and blue.  And you give me bananas????

Why did it have to be bananas?

There were some pretzels.  I ate one of those--big ones with lots of salt.  (I broke down and ate a banana too, but don't tell anyone.  I was hungry!  I didn't eat breakfast, given an 11 am start time.)  There were some mini-bagels, which I guess in a bizarre way are sort of like donuts.  BUT THEY ARE NOT DONUTS.  And there was water.  No beer. 

There was free Sheetz coffee.  I had some before the race because I can't really resist coffee.  Or FREE!  Of course, I regretted that decision.  I'm at that age where I can't grow hair on my head, but I can grow a Country Fair winning prostate gland with no trouble.

All in all it was great day with great weather.  And it was for a great cause!

THANK YOU SUEPA!

Blue-White Weekend

What a wonderful day for Penn State football!

You never know who you might run into . . .

 Look! I'm Jay Walking, ...er, Jay Standing!

I will offer a few more thoughts on the Blue-White game later . . . But this morning I will be running in the Beaver Stadium Run, sponsored by the Paterno family, and benefitting Special Olympics! The finish line is the 50-yard line! That has a vague ring to it! ;)

Hokie Sighting

As I was out for a morning run today, I came upon three wild Hokies turkeys crossing the road.

Listen to them, they're getting away R2! Curse my dumb phone, I wasn't fast enough, it's all my fault!

By the time I got my phone out, hit the menu button, clicked on media, clicked on take picture and then actually took the picture, they had crossed the road and I think I got the rear end of the last one before it entered the woods.  The red circle marks the turkey.  I think.  Maybe I completely missed them.  The sun was out and I couldn't really see the phone screen.  I was just blindly pointing it in their direction as they hurried away from me.  My phone sucks when it comes to taking pictures.  I have a dumb phone.  You still have to push numbers to text.  Heck, you have to dial instead of pressing numbers.

The way those turkeys took off as I fumbled with my phone, I think Hokies turkeys fear Penn State fans, although today I was wearing my Saint Francis running outfit. Why you might ask? Have I switched allegiance? No. But for the first time since 1986, a college other than Penn State is going to have a bigger check written from me, as my daughter will be attending St. Francis this fall.  I am the supportive daddy, but I must admit, wearing the red color makes me feels sleazy.  But I digress.

And I wonder, why did the Hokies cross the road????