The Dynamic Duo

I had a very interesting day today. As you may remember from yesterday, today was the big Atomic Days annual Fun Run/Walk. This is my third annual and I have the T-shirts to prove it. Dallin, my bank manager, was one of the organizers of this gala event and was slated to help with the set up; making sure all of the participants had submitted the requisite payment, had a number pinned to their back or front and had a T-shirt. No small task! We had discussed the “Fun Run” as we like to call it, the day before, and after I verified the starting time, Dallin remarked: “You probably don’t want to do what you did last year and show up 10 minutes late. That’s kind of pushing it.” Hmmm…............ I had forgotten about that….......
So this year, I showed up…....................2 minutes early! Since I had the foresight to preregister, that meant I had time to get my shirt, pin on that number, run the shirt back to my car and arrive back just in time for the tail end of “participant instructions”. But the important thing is that I was there in time for “On Your Mark! Get Set! GO!”
I started off in a blazing demonstration of fast walking technique; arms bent and pumping purposefully, stomach in, chest out, shoulders relaxed, rolling heel-to-toe gait. I was behind all the runners, but ahead of the rest of the walkers, as far as I could tell. There were a couple, Jeff and Lisa, who were right on my tail. They are prominent local citizens, probably in their 40s. UltraBob will be able to relate to them as Jared (Jim’s friend’s) parents. Jeff is a runner, and will be coaching the high school cross country team this fall, but I assume he was walking with his wife. After a bit I looked back to see who they were, and Jeff remarked “Oh, its you Kathy. I wondered who that was with that short little stride.” So much for my exemplary walking technique!
Officials were posted at various checkpoints to make sure we weren’t cheating and that we were going the right way, no small task for someone of UltraMom’s directional aptitude. After a bit, my legs began protesting my rapid pace, and I also tried to lengthen the stride a little. Unfortunately I have short little legs. One thing I determined; Jeff and Lisa were NOT going to pass me up. Not if my legs fell off.
In the end, UltraMom won the gold medal in the Women Walkers category with a blazing time of 38 minutes 38 seconds for 5 kilometers. And I know my legs are still here, because they have been screaming, crying and whining at me all day long. Next year I will actually begin training early…..maybe I’ll even run it…..............yeah, I know, that’s what I say every year…........
After the medal presentation, prizes were drawn for. Local entrepreneurs had donated merchandise, or coupons for merchandise, from their businesses. The first item was a cute stuffed pug dog from the local drug store. UltraMom’s name was drawn! Happy Days! I held the furry pup while I watched the rest of the prizes being distributed; a 6-pack of pepsi, a gas can from a service station, $10 in sandwiches from the Deli, etc. I thought about what I would do with a large stuffed dog. He was pretty cute, but my house is full to brimming (just ask UltraB…..on second thought, don’t) with such stuff. He might make a nice addition to UltraGirl’s stuffed dog collection, but I’m afraid she would need a new TV just for him (I understand that the television top is where all the pooches live)
Just then I notice a young woman making her way towards me, smiling in a friendly fashion. It turns out that she wanted my dog! She had recently moved to the area from Calif, and her best friend raised pugs and she would really love to have the dog. I’m not clear if she was going to send it to her friend or use it to remind her. Anyway, she had some Mary Kay beauty products to trade. My first reaction was “MY dog.” but on further reflection I thought “Why not?” So I proposed a deal. I would make the trade on one condition. That she snapped my photo with my digital camera of me with my dog, wearing my medal in front of the Fun Run sign. Needless to say, she accepted with alacrity, so now I have some Mary Kay moisturizing body wash and a photo memory of my dog, which this woman claimed she will name after me. Here I would include the pic for your viewing pleasure, but I don’t seem to be smart enough to figure out how to do that:(
After that exciting encounter, I walked about the park a bit, looking at t-shirts, bandannas, knives and jewelry for sale, and a man cutting wooden posts into shapes of bears. I bought raffle tickets to benefit a local child who has a rare form of cancer. I noted the softball tournament in progress and checked out the “mud volleyball” game. I thought about sticking around to watch the parade, but suddenly just wanted to get home. After all, maybe UltraDad and I would go somewhere and do something fun with the rest of the day!
We ended up going to Idaho Falls, and exchanging our cell phones. Actually, UB, we just exchanged them for others of the exact same mode that you helped us select, and we’ll see if that helps. The main problem is that we will be talking away and suddenly find that the call has been disconnected. The cell phone rep spouted some stuff about Howe being a tough area, but the cell phone towers were all being updated, and she was sure we would have great service in a couple of months…...unfortunately, we only have 1 month for exchange and/or cancellation privileges.
We talked about where to eat (my favorite topic) and ended up going to an old favorite; The Texas Roadhouse. Somehow, the country music singer Willie Nelson has a connection to this chain restaurant. They play country music and deliver peanuts to your table. The wall are decorated with posters of country stars and the decor includes charming Texas accents such as a stuffed (or maybe a statue of) armadillo drinking a bottle of beer. The also bring these amazing rolls with honey butter along with the peanuts, and I usually feel a bit stuffed before my entree ever arrives.
Then it was on to the movie theater. I really wanted to see SHREK 2, but UDad had seen it the week before with Johnny. So we went to separate movies! He saw “I, ROBOT”, some sci fi thing with Will Smith. I guess he liked it; he really didn’t say much about it. Shrek was fabulous. I LOVE that Puss in Boots!
So the day was a pretty good one. AND a pretty long one. I’m pooped….........maybe I’ll just have one more little look at that gold medal before I head for bed…..............
UltraMom