My First Track Meet – Rolling Thunder Invitational



As I drove up to Hauppauge High School for the Rolling Thunder Invitational, I was excited to participate in my first track meet along with Elijah. I would have loved to participate with Zachary as well, but his growing pains have him in an immobilization boot until his tendons and ligaments catch up with his growth.
I run in different 5K’s and noticed the Green Singlets of Rolling Thunder Track Club. They have an incredible club which includes many nationally rank runners and many run in the Special Olympics. Each member of their club has so much heart and we can all learn so much from them.

Elijah brought home a silver medal in the Long Jump, silver in the 400m and gold in the 200m. As for me, that is an entirely different story!

As I waited for my 400m race, I noticed 2 guys that were older than me. Ok, maybe I will come home with something, but then 2 other people handed in their stickers to run. Maybe I can come home with something now? A few minutes later, I lined up in lane 6 and waited for the starting gun to fire. The official says, “On your marks” and I hear a pop. I ankle tried to hold but, but after 25m, the horrified look on my face was seen by all, especially by the others on our Track Team! All I could do was shake my head as 4 other runners pass me with ease, about 75m, the person in lane 5 stopped and I passed him, but I still was so far back. There was no way my legs could move that fast! During the final stretch, I noticed Zachary up in the stands cheering me on and watch me come in 4th by default. By the time I got to the finish, I think my heart was about to jump out of my chest.

My next race was the 1500m, which had me line up with Coach Brian and another parent, along with other Rolling Thunder runners. After 2 laps, 2 Rolling Thunder Runners lap me. After 4 laps, I was again crossing the finish line last with my lungs about to explode. I probably had my fastest mile, but I will check out the results as they are posted.

While I ran about 4.5 miles in the morning with Irene, I don’t think any amount of running would have helped me gain entry to the podium. It was a learning experience, and I know I will be doing more intervals with Elijah at the running club!

More importantly, Elijah is having so much fun and becoming very comfortable with running and competition. Zachary is anxious to get running and catching up the medal count with his brother!

Wow, My Daughter Actually Pays Attention!

The other day, Emily surprised me with an email. It was a personality profile that she took for school. I thought it was interesting to see how a test would analyze her answers. After reading it, I felt it was accurate. My biggest concern was that she would lock herself into this personality and use it to blame everything that happens because of a few electronic responses.

I called her and ask, “What do you think of the test?” “Is this who you are?” I really did not give her a chance to answer because I wanted to get to this question. “Emily, do you believe you can change?” Her reply was, “Yes.” That was interesting because she tends to be a drama queen at times blaming the world for her woos and whoas. So I ask, “Why do you believe that?” The next sentences surprised my slightly cynical self.

She says, “Because you changed.” I was totally caught off guard and asked for clarity, “What do you mean?” Emily’s reply, “You run now and don’t keep cans of soda or bags of Doritos in the house anymore.” Leading up to my decision to run, I am probably the last person to be the poster child to health, and I am glad that she noticed the changes in me when I didn’t even realize it myself. I will continue to do my best to lead her and her brothers in making the best choices for health and their future as long as I can.

If I did not sign up for the NYC Marathon 4 and half years ago, I probably would not have had the opportunity to give the gift of running to my kids. Both Zachary and Elijah are part of Sports Center Athletic Training Track & Field Club in St. James. Unfortunately, Zachary is going through some growing pains and has been on the side lines for the past month, and is anxious to out run his peers. Elijah is a little rabbit and is running with kids 2 years older and having a boatload of fun! Emily continues to surprise me when she decides to go for a run. I think she is running to pass a boy’s house that she likes in the neighborhood.

I am still caught off guard when someone acknowledges my running. In fact, I still look around thinking they are congratulating someone next to me. Last month, Irene and I celebrated our 15th Wedding Anniversary, by doing the Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. It was suppose to be a “fun run” but I wanted to get State #6 under my belt. I am a lucky guy because she agreed to do the race together! Two weeks later, I took on my 9th Marathon and State #7 in Wilmington, Delaware. Details on both races will be added to my blog at www.runwithnoah.com as I still have 43 more states to run before I am 50!

Lately, many of my friends have been signing up for 5K’s or even signing up for marathons, because of me. Again, I am still surprised to be the person to motivate anyone. I am just a guy going through a mid life crisis. Instead of buying a Porsche, I happen to do marathons instead. I am really humbled that my 2 legs are able to inspire anyone, and if I am able to help someone lose some weight, lower blood pressure, kick the use of BP or cholesterol meds, or do something they never thought they could do before. I am glad that I put a little spark in their step, but it’s really them who deserve the credit.

Well, 4 years later, we are returning to the New York City Marathon for the 43rd running of the 5 boroughs. Again, I have the privilege of giving the gift of running to hundreds of kids. Our Team for Kids fund raising helps kids around the world with opportunities to run, who otherwise have little or no access to regular physical activity. It’s amazing that 1/3 of all children in the United States is obese! Please take a moment to help me reach my goal to give the gift of running to 300 children. Please visit our Personal Donation Page at http://www.runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/7701

Also if you want to start running your first 5k or even want to do a marathon, give me a call! I really get excited and motivate each time someone tells me that they did a race for the first time!

Have a Great Memorial Day and Bring it!!!
Noah