warm hearts 5k

After a week of emails, today was the Warm Hearts 5K. First it was cancelled—Nazareth pulled the plug because it wasn't safe with the giant snow piles. Then it was "wait, maybe not." Then it was relocated to the Industrial Park.

We decided to do this one a long time ago because it fell on Jarrod's birthday, and it was for children's heart issues. Now Jarrod was not a child when he died (today would have been 31), but his heart defect was lifelong. They didn't even know it ran in the family until his aunt died very young.

The last emails said the parking was very limited. So we went earlier than normal. Five minutes later we would have been hiking to the event. The lot was nearly full.

It was warm today—51 at 3 pm. The event was at 10 am, so it was probably still in the high 30s. We both have jackets on in the picture, but they were off by the time we were a mile in. I even pulled the sleeves of my shirt up. No long johns, no double socks, just regular clothes. It was liberating.

We haven't done a 5K since Dec. 31. We haven't walked any considerable distances for almost 3 weeks. We felt it. But by the second mile we got our mojo back.

It's going to be about 50 again tomorrow. I sent Lydia a text to check the IRT. It is indeed plowed. We'll be walking there tomorrow.

Is this the start of spring training? I hope so. I'm afraid to get on a scale.

Jarrod's Jems kicks asphalt at Heart Walk

Sunday was the Heart Walk. It was about 2.5 miles around the industrial park. Fairly level, all macadam. There was a lot of people, I'm guessing maybe 2,000.

Jarrods Jems were well represented by (left to right) Bonnie, Sharon, Mandy, Bev and me. We got the team registerd in 2 days. The only money we raised was money we kicked in ourselves. Maybe next year.

Pat bailed before we left the house. She was excited and I needed to bring a chair for her. (She could have walked a block!) But she didn't like the chair I picked, and the only lawn chair left wass dirty in the garage so she took her marbles and went home. Whatever.

Bethy cancelled as we were leaving the house. She had done landscaping the day before at the salon and injured her back and ankles. She was going to spend the day on the couch. Her ankles were still bothering her this morning when we walked on the canal path in Easton.

We all got to the walk about a hour early so we'd get decent parking.Sure glad we did, because they ran out of space. it was bumper to bumper coming in. there was a classic rock band playing, and vendors had displays. Bonnie wanted to see former 76er Darryl Dawkins. Megan and Jarrod used to hang out at the Valley Dawgs games (He was coach) and she wanted to say hi. He didn't remember her, but it really seemed like he remembered Jarrod and gave her a huge bear hug. Of course with pro athletes you never know. They meet so many people, they are good at faking knowing you.

I put some additional photos in my webshots album. Go to page 11 for the Heart walk. http://sports.webshots.com/album/571159089UYLujf

The next Jarrods Jems event will be Shaku's Basket Bingo on Friday night. Since we had the shirts made, we're all wearing them.

Jarrod's Jems

Jarrod always went to charity basket bingo's. His favorite being his Boy Scout Troop Camp Association one at the Fearless. He rarely lost at bingo. In spring we were all at the basket bingo, calling on Jarrod's spirit for help (we rarely win). And someone said we should have a team name. Many were batted about and I'm not sure who picked Jarrod's Jems, but it stuck.

His cousin Mandy heard about the Heart Association Walk (http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=296373) earlier in the summer. It was decided that Jarrod's Jems would be walking. I would be designing and walking. I knew the logo had to glittery, but not be girly, and it had to be black and green for his Eagles. I sent Bonnie the three choices. This is the one she picked. Actually Beth was here working on her Avon page (http://www.avonwalk.org/goto/bethsboobs ... it's funny) and helped me design it. We're going to put it on a white tee shirt, small over the left breast or maybe in the center between the girls. Decisions, decisions.

Beth & I will be walking, maybe as renegades. I don't want to, and cannot, raise more money. I still have $600 to go for the cancer walks. Bonnie will be walking, testing out those new knees. If you want to walk join us Sept 20 at the Industrial Park. It's level, blacktopped, and has limited traffic. Should be fun.

Jarrod's Jems are mom Bonnie, aunt Bev, gram Alice (bingo only...no octogenarians will be walking!), cousin Mandy, me, auntie Sharon and now Beth.