Interlude: Springtime 2011
Springtime is the more enchanting when emerging from a long and severe winter.
Looking Back:
Sean's Run - 5K - Chatham, New York; May 1st, 2011.
Sean's Run, 2011 is the 10th annual celebration of a promising 17 year old man's life, cut short by a drunk driver motor vehicle accident. The mood is intentionally festive with music, balloons, banners and loudspeakers. I was won over to this event last year by the cause, location, festivities, and a good (for me) 2010 performance, and returned with my wife, a closet power walker. I prepared for the race following my 5 Kelly's 5k run of two weeks earlier, by working 10 hour days in a dark cubicle facing 6 computer monitors, reading a myriad of X-rays, CTs and MRI scans. My wife and I had a pre-race gourmet dinner at the beautiful home of friends where we allowed ourselves to be over-indulged by our generous hostess and host. We earned our morning headaches, but have wonderful lasting memories of the evening.
May 1st has historic significance for various people throughout the world. International Workers' day, with celebrations of workers and anarchists; the ancient Roman festival of Flora; Walpurgis Night celebrations in the Harz mountains; the Gaelic Bealtaine, a celebration of optimism, purification and transition; May Day with dancing around the Maypole and crowning of the Queen of the May; the celebration of the Virgin Mary, who is crowned with flowers; and not least, my baby sister was born on this day a few years ago (Happy Birthday Sis!).
This year's Sean's Run, May 1, 2011, was a perfect spring day; warm and sunny; spring flowers in bloom, trees in bud and birds in song -- note to self -- it's hard to appreciate the birds and sunshine when you have a headache. Despite our misery, we didn't want to seem bad sports, so we suited up and drove the 40 minutes to Chatham. Over 1,000 other participants also turned out, they seemed well rested, smiley faced and sans headache; not to mention young, fit and friendly - formidable competition for the aging Running Man in his come-back to running mediocrity.
Although there were serious runners in this event, I didn't spot a single foot glove. Thankfully, little spandex was to be seen, at least in my field of view. My headache and general malaise lifted with the excitement of the position jockeying at the start of the race. The weather and the mood of the crowd elevated us all, as I have no other explanation for bettering my time from the 5 Kelly's 5K run by a minute, finishing in the top 1/3 of the field at 28:40. My wife, also losing her frown and headache, broke into a smiling run at the finish, shattered her personal best 5k time of 41:53, beating over 100 other contenders.
Looking Forward:
The 137th Kentucky Derby - Louisville, Kentucky; May 7th, 2011.
My wife and I were honored to be invited by old (not elderly) friends to be their guests for the Derby weekend. We look forward to Louisville in springtime. My only other two visits to Louisville were in the winters of 1981 and 1996 to subject myself to grueling oral board examinations in the medical specialty of Radiology and subspecialty of Neuroradiology. I am anticipating a considerably more pleasant time on this trip. The weather prediction is for rain but our dispositions are sunny.
I take no responsibility for anyone reading this and betting on the race, but, I have done some research including review of a number of trial races on U-tube and have formulated a Rube-Goldberg type race theory on the following premises:
1) No recent favorite has put out a good effort.
2) The race is long, so I want a good finisher.
3) I enjoy watching beer commercials, have personally tasted beer and have traveled to Mexico.
Therefore, my predictions for the winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby comes from this trio of horses:
Nehro, Stay Thirsty my Friends, and Brilliant Speed.
Please watch the antecedent video for a hint as to where my money will be bet.



