That was a great race in cold, rainy and very windy morning. I am glad that I showed up – else I would have missed the amazing spirit and resolution people demonstrated to fight back ALS. Beyond pale, it demonstrated that in running – nay, in life, it is not about the gold or silver or bronze… it is about SHOWING UP and then PUTTING UP. And I thank Amitesh for exhorting me to come out to race. Both of us have a couple of friends whose parents are patients of ALS. Our run today was dedicated to them. Ran into good old Melanie who walked with her friend the whole distance honoring her neighbor’s dad who had ALS.

In the race itself, Amitesh posted his career best 5K today. I have to wait for my official time (my Garmin promptly quit citing low battery before the race). Whatever it is, there were two kids – at best fourth graders – who started and finished before me!! There were three hills and they kept running like they were going downhill. That was a little humbling!!!

Today’s proceeds went to Emory ALS Center.

Update: Results are out. Posted  24:57 at a 8:02 clip. That would be 4th in my age group and 32nd overall out of 216 racers.

As I said, it is cold, raining and very windy. I show up to run the race thinking not too many people will be there and this might be my chance to medal a race this year. And I find high school kids to sixty years olds warming up in the rain for the race. And little kids and adults alike in ponchos volunteering to set up the tents, organize food, water!!!
Ah! That indomitable human spirit…. If medicine can’t erase ALS, someday this human spirit will…
Now my turn to step into the rain to warm up…

It is cold, raining and very windy. And I promised somebody I will come and race to raise money to fight ALS. This ought to be fun 🙁