A Very Hot 4th Of July Fire Cracker Run!

Hot as a Firecracker!

Early Rise

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I must have a little bit of energy left over so I can blog.  While there are still a few hours left in this Holiday,  there is a good chance that Cheryl and I will be retiring earlier than expected....  I shall explain.

Every inch is a degree of heat!

Cheryl tries to wake up.

  First  VERY early rise!   About 3 A.M.   Cheryl could not sleep anyway, so she was already up and at them before waking me up.   We left for Moline in the dark.... But it was already ridiculously humid outside.   Not a good sign if you are running a  10K.

Bib Pickup

For the late registerers. 

We watched the sun rise and the temp climb with ever precious moment after dawn.  This was going to be grim if the race was going to be delayed.    Cheryl registered late so she had to pick up her bib in the headquarters.

Checking out the stage.

And awards.

We roamed around a bit and  looked over the trophies.   Cheryl thought that she had a pretty good chance at getting another one this year.

Cannon takes aim at Spectators.

And Music Stations.

As always,   my favorite part of the event was the cannon.   And...just like last year,  there were a number of people who set up shop right in front of the blast area.   Awesome! 


Here is a visual:

What plays out in my mind.... 

The Canon goes BOOM!

Cheryl at the start

After what seemed an eternity,   Cheryl prepped for the start line and I headed out in front.   The poor girl who sang the National Anthem  was Terrible!   I mean that like this:   Sometimes there are people who sing so bad they deserve to get boo-ed off stage.   And then there are people who sing so bad....  you feel sorry for them!   The latter was the case here.   I'm not sure if she had been asked at the last minute or had simply not had the voice today.... but she screeched at the high notes and it was painful to hear.  Tough break.

Cheryl runs by

And waves.

With the Cannon's BOOM!   Cheryl was off!   She passed by and looked in high spirits.

That sun is very bright, though. 

She looks pretty good.... so far.

The field looked rather large this Sultry Day,  but I hear that well over 80% of them were only running the 5K.   It made sense.   Who, in their right mind, would want to run in 94 degree temps?

And dodges the wall.

CHeryl walks up the hill. 

At the five mile mark, Cheryl was feeling the hills and heat.   She had to walk up the hill. ( along with dozens of other people) 

This year,  the Wall broke her!    And she was feeling the hurt. 

Duck and cover!  Duck and Cover!

Almost there.  No records today...

Bringing an end to the torture. 

I should note here that the Sun backlit the runners at the top of this hill.   Every step they took looked like a fine mist of water was splattering off of them.   I guess you could say they were feeling the heat.

Nor Medical Attention either...

NO record of her finish!  BOOO!

Cheryl finished, although not with her best time.  Still,  she managed to place 3rd in her division... except for one tiny detail.....

Because her Timing Chip was rubbed off!

No worries.  She said she didn't try.

Her timing chip did not work!   They had no record of her in the data base! 

Even though 3rd place was hers...

This was rather disappointing, but Cheryl noted that she had "given up" on an award anyway.  And the fact that she was not trying her hardest made the disappointment a little more bearable.

She got the shirt, bib and medal.

Another addition for her case.

At least she got a medal and I go the shirt.  ( I'm currently wearing it as I write this. )

Let's go biking!

We are already miserable.

With a couple hours to kill,  we decided to head out for a short 14 mile bike ride in Davenport.   Heck,  we were both already hot, wet and miserable.... why not add a couple miles on the bike?

Why not get even more? 

Banana Split at Tee's

I will sum that up with it was hot... wet... and even more miserable than we could have hoped for.  At least there was plenty of other people out there..... in case we had passed out from the heat.

Cheryl wants some.

She enjoys her BLT

And finally:  Off to Tee's!   Tee's is under new management.   But it appears that the goodness that was Tee's remains.    I got a burger and Banana Split while Cheryl enjoyed a BLT.   Good times.

Same great food at Tee's

And now we are confined to our small apartment, huddled next to the small air conditioner in our bedroom.   With the prospect of work tomorrow,   and the increadibly early rise this morning.... it will most likely be an early bed time tonight.   I may get up and watch the fireworks.   Cheryl has chosen sleep over fireworks the last several years.   Maybe because she lacks patriotism... but most likely because she was just as tired back then.   We DID run those days as well. 

So that is all for now.   Hope everyone is staying cool and is enjoying the 4th.    Perhaps I will be able to write more as the week progresses to fill in the various missed moments.  Until then,  thanks for stopping in