A lucky crew of 13 men braved the almost perfect 50 degree weather to trundle down one of the country’s best running routes–Monument Avenue. Truly, the largest question looming was weather or not a long sleeve shirt was necessary as the temperature was at that sweet spot of being good for short sleeves or long sleeves.
During the first week of April, tens of thousands of people spend upwards of $45 to $50 to run on Monument Avenue in the Monument Ave 10K. This was the first year that I actually ran it, and really, only because a buddy of mine had a free bib because his friend bailed on him at the 11th hour. I always regret not running our phenomenal city’s signature running event, but then I realize at any point in time I could put on shoes and run it for free…much like we all did this morning.
It was a relatively easy route, comparatively speaking to the other routes I’ve led us on in the past. To quote Saab (who was sorely missed), “it’s a effing square people.” Four milers went from Mary Munford to Sauer, to Monument to The Boulevard to Grove and back to Mrs. Munford’s fine elementary school.
Our hearty five mile crew took Boulevard to Cary and got to enjoy all that the CaryTown run has to offer…which is mainly the free smells from Can Can.
The six milers actually went to the Columbus statue at Byrd Park (or Bird Park if you are mapmyrun.com) and went around the lake, headed towards City Stadium (looking oh so pristine…in the dark) then to CaryTown and back to Commonwealth.
Speaking of Columbus. Raise your hand if you knew that Columbus never (EVER) set foot in America. That would not have been me until Monday. Seriously, google it. Not only did he not step foot in America but he also was pretty much a tyrant and war monger…killing a massive amount of indigenous people in Bermuda. It’s true. I mean, I don’t want to compare him to a Hitler or anyone on that scale…but he’s a lot closer to those guys than he is, say, Ricky Bobby.
Yet this week is Columbus week in the first grade at Mary Munford. Poems, word finds, necklaces, coloring books…the works. For a guy who was truly an awful person and is known for something he didn’t come close to doing? Crazy, huh? The weirdest thing about it is that on Saturday, if you would’ve asked me who discovered America, I probably would’ve said “Columbus.” Talk about my own Age of Enlightenment.
Either way, I guess the moral of the story is that it’s not a terrible idea to question things. Or at least surround yourself with people who question things. You may learn something new. (Seriously, does it bother anyone else that they teach this to our kids? It. Isn’t. True.)
So here’s to saving $45 on the run, on top of the $100 from other opportunities that are out there for early morning workouts. Have a blessed weekend, gentlemen, enjoy the sunshine and feel free to give your condolences to Sippy who had to endure my Columbus questioning as we circled the lake.
MARV
10 Comments
In fourteen-hundred and ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue!
Nice route Marv.
Awesome BB and route – Monument Marv!
See y’all in the gloom..
Martha, great route an awesome back blast! Weather could not of been better for a run
Lab rat texted me earlier saying he missed the run because of intestinal issues. So he took his dog for a run at home. They ran into a skunk, and the dog got sprayed. He said to let you know Marv that he replaced the dog rather than trying to get rid of the smell
Martha, Marv…. whatever
Gonna miss that dog. ….but not the smell.
Marv, Martha…
TYA, OBGYN…
What’s the difference.
Sounds like a nice run. Too cold for just long sleeves. Needed the tights. Couldn’t find so the fart sack won.
Great to see Aisle 5 back in action this morning !!
That’s a tough beat for the dog for sure. I’ve gotta an oxidation guy he should go see.
Interwebs saves the day! Googled concoction seems to have worked, but the M will have final say.