Orange Park Medical Center Step Up 5K!

On Saturday, February 9, my two younger sons and I ran in the Orange Park Medical Center Step Up 5K! (their exclamation point, not mine).  This was the 7^th annual running of this race to benefit local elementary schools.  Over the years they have given over $30K to Clay County schools.  What could be better than a chance to run with the boys AND support our schools?!  The fact that it was an absolutely gorgeous day only made it that much better.   

This was a fairly standard 5K road race.  The course was what is commonly referred to as a lollipop with you running down the same way you return with a big loop at around the mid-point.  This particular lollipop had a pretty bent stick, but it was a nice course just the same.

We started at Oakleaf Junior High School just after 9am.  The sun was up, the sky was clear, and it was pleasantly cool.  The course continued down Plantation Oaks Blvd past the high school, up and over the bridge crossing Branan Field Road, and down to Silver Bluff Blvd.  Part of this route was nicely shaded by trees.  The turnaround was at OakleafAthletic Fields East where we then headed back on to Plantation Oaks Blvd, over the bridge, and to OakleafHigh School.  The last 200 meters were on the school’s track where Milestone Race Authority had set up the finish line.  Publix had donated a ton of bananas, apples, and water for the runners at the end of the race  

Approaching the bridge.

Being flat-landers my youngest saw the bridge as a challenge.  That he made it to the top without stopping was, in his mind, a huge accomplishment.  Personally I had no doubt he would make it.  He is a plucky kid and doesn't quit when he puts his mind to something.  The only thing with him is getting him to set his mind to it.  When we run and he starts feeling like it is time to quit we set small goals like reaching a place within sight or, in this case, the top of the bridge.  Once we get to that landmark, we just pick a new goal.  However, often times we get to a goal and keep on going without the need to set a new goal;  just getting to that landmark is enough to spur him on for a while longer.  The other thing we try to do is to not stop.  He sets the pace and when he gets tired we slow down, sometimes to a slow jog, but we don’t stop and we don’t walk.  It is just easier to get going again if you never stopped in the first place.

Hitting a sub-9 minute mile!

The older of my two boys crushed this race.  He took off and just kept on going, finishing, according to race officials, within the first 125 runners.  There were just shy of 460 runners in all.  The problem with his placement is that it is totally bogus.  The runners at the front of the pack were diverted and made to run about another half mile.  The race officials are saying that this is about a four minute differential from the posted time.  By my reckoning this has my son somewhere in the top thirty.  Like I said, he crushed this run.  He handled the botched course with his typical grace and charm, not really caring about the outcome, just enjoying the journey.  I can’t say the same for some of the other runners. 

Finally caught up with his brother.

The other hiccup affected my wife, and more than a few other people the day before the race.  Packet pickup, apparently, was a mess.  At first there was confusion about the location, then the time got switched around.  In the end pickup was at Oakleaf High School from 4 to 7.  The tee shirts were late and the process just wasn’t very well organized.  I am just thankful that my wife went while I was still at work so I didn’t have to go on my way home.  Getting hung up on Friday would not have been pleasant. 

The race did not go perfectly smoothly.  Granted, I really wasn’t personally affected by the things that went wrong, but people I care for were.  I think it is important to remember though that this was a race for a good cause, run by volunteers, and it only cost $10 for an entry fee.  And we got tee shirts, some fruit, and water to boot.  Not too bad of a way to spend a Saturday morning with my boys.  And for anyone who has a real gripe with the way things went might consider volunteering to help out next year.  I am sure they can use the help. 

 

Race Results are available here. 

Photos of the event were taken by Speedy Banana.  There are loads of great pictures that can be viewed and purchased here.