State #30, June 16, 2013: West Virginia, Morgantown

June 16, 2013
Run #31, (DC and 30 states), Saturday, June 16
RDVIC Father's Day 5K Run and after the 5K, on to Pittsburgh for...
2013 Grandslamtrip Game #6: Los Angeles Dodgers at Pittsburgh Pirates



Almost
Heaven

My West Virginia 5K in Morgantown is in a scenic park on the banks of the Monongahela River.

Lining up for the start

And we are off...

This is an out and back. Coming back at me is Jen, first in her age group, and third for all women at just over 20 minutes.

Another 1/2 mile to the finish

24:18. 2nd in age group. Overall, 50th out of about 150.

And a 2nd place medal

Me and the overall 5K winner, looking stylish in our flag shorts.

30 States and DC Completed (blue).

Scheduled for June and July (red).

Scheduled After July (gray).

After the run, we drove to Pittsburgh in time to watch some of the Los Angeles Dodgers -- Pittsburgh Pirates game.

After some tough negotions, we bought two tickets from this gentleman ticket scalper. He was reluctant to take a picture, so he covered his eyes.

In the seventh, this terrific third grade choir sang God Bless America.

This was followed by...

My first hot dog of the summer.

This is the last pitch of the game, strike 3, and the Pirates win 6-3.

And the Pirates celebrate.

And after the game, a delicious Italian dinner at...

Cleveland on Monday and Detroit on Tuesday

State #29, June 15, 2013: Ohio, West Chester (near Cincinnati)

Run #30 (DC and 29 states), Saturday, June 15
Lungs on the Run 5K

My Ohio 5K is in West Chester, a suburb of Cincinnati, and is a fundraiser for lung cancer research.

Ready to run...

and at 8:30 a.m., we are off...

Above is Jeannie taking a picture of the start

This sign says mile 2.

I could not pass the lady in blue.

the finish line...

25:13, 32nd out of 139, 1st in my age group of which there was just one other participant, but my time was also faster than the three 50-59 year old participants.

After the run -- this is KC, a ten year survivor of a bout with lung cancer in which she lost a lung, and today is her birthday. Everyone sang happy birthday to her this morning. Her son and some others started this 5K 3 years ago.

This 5k had more goodies than any other so far. Coupons, gator aid, bananas, sandwiches, bagels, a pair of socks, and more.


Plus I got a $10 Target gift certificate for my age group first.

and, I found some tutus...

After the 5K, we headed to Morgantown, West Virginia, for a Sunday Father's Day 5K.

29 States and DC Completed (blue).

Scheduled for June and July (red).

Scheduled After July (gray).

2013 GrandSlamTrip Game #5, June 14: Milwaukee Brewers at Cincinnati Reds

Brewers at Reds, June 14, GrandSlamTrip Game #5
After driving from Chicago to Cincinnati, we ate at Arnold's, the oldest bar in town (1861) which was featured in "Harry's Law" starring Kathy Bates. The show's Arnold's was a replica set in Hollywood.

Then on to the ball park to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the Cincinnati Reds. We were lucky to get some tickets from a wonderful local couple, Lindsi and Scott, BIG, BIG, BIG Reds fans.

The Reds win.

State #28, June 13, 2013: Illinois, Chicago

Run #29 (DC and 28 states), Thursday, June 13

The Jim Gibbons 5K

and preceding the 5K -- baseball

The Cincinnati Reds at the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field

However we started the day north of Chicago in Highland Park, Illinois, with a wonderful breakfast with our good friends Helen and Fields, who happen to be Mr Chicago's parents, the instigator of all this running.

Then off to Wrigley

Harry Caray

You know we had to take this pic.

Then to Lincoln Park for the race.

The Jim Gibbons 5k is a serious annual fundraising event for leukemia research. Jim Gibbons, a reporter for channel 7 in Chicago, died of leukemia in 1994.
Ready for the 6:25 p.m. start which is broadcast live on Chicago's channel 7.

And we are off...

25:33 Chip Time, 183rd out of 574, 3rd place in my age group.

The leukemia fundraising was supported by some large teams.

Team Oliver

28 States and DC Completed (blue).

Scheduled for June and July (red).

Scheduled After July (gray).

State #27, June 12, 2013: Wisconsin, Milwaukee

6/12/2013
Run #28 (DC and 27 states), Wednesday, June 12
31st Annual Superun 5K
Uh-Oh

Sitting in the car 40 minutes before the 7 p.m. start of the 5K. Severe storm warning, tornado watch, thunder, lightening...

How can the race go on? Severe weather for a hundred miles to the west, and it is coming east.

But...

There was a lull five minutes before the scheduled start, and they said to line up.

The horn blows, and we are off...

About half way, the rain started.

Then for the last mile, sheets of rain, wind, thunder, and lightening.


Finally, the welcome finish.

26:03. 163rd out of 374. 9th in age group out if 18. Jeannie and I went straight for the car and then for the hotel.
All pics were taken by Jeannie who also got soaked.