They Raised My Spirits While Helping Others

Tuesday, December 7, 2010





---The Middlebury Volunteer Fire Department building on December 4th was the setting for the 1st annual Middlebury 5k to help Compassionate Care ALS. This is an organization that is dedicated to helping both the people with ALS and the families that need help in many ways in dealing with their situations.
---Courtney(#665) was the driving organizer. I watched as she was everywhere doing so much, including running the race, and doing it all with an energy filled smile all day long.
---Ron, the main person for Compassionate Care ALS, is seen on stage after the race with Courtney. Check out the great things Ron and his organization do at http://www.ccals.org/ . His organization helped Courtney and her family in times of need with Courtney's grandmother, whom she lost not too long ago.
---Chris(#484) also lost a relative and was helped by Compassionate Care. Chris also was seen nationally on "The Bachelorette Show". Chris and Tyler ran in the race and Chris helped with awards and other things after the race.
---Something I never talk about is the fact that once in a while my spirits are not very up. I am almost always up beat and smiling and trying to encourage others. For some reason the morning of the December 4th Middlebury race I was sitting in my truck, in the parking lot of the fire house, an hour and a half early (as is my normal), but I was for some reason in a very down mood. I was even thinking of heading an hour plus ride back home without running.
---I love to run, I love to meet people, I love to hear people's stories and write about them. But I thought to myself, while sitting in the truck that morning, "I'm just not up for this today.". What made me get out of the truck and go inside to register I'll never know. But, meeting the people and feeling the energy and looking into some of the people's eyes started lifting my spirits. By the end of the day, on my ride home AFTER the race, I realized what a mistake going home, and missing meeting these people, would have been. I had a most wonderful day because of the great people that were there.
---"Thank you Courtney. Thank you to all those there. You lifted me up and made my day great"
---To all that follow these writings ---check out this race next year and go enjoy these wonderful people.
---Read the next 3 entries and you will see some of the excitement that was there that day.





posted by Average Al @ 2:09 PM

Families-Families--Everywhere







--- It was great to met families that were participating in the Middlebury, Ct. 5k on Dec 4th.
---Top left shows sisters, cousins, moms and little ones. Adults left to right, Amy, Gisella, Courtney(the main organizer of the event), Nancy and myself. Their smiles, energies and great personalities were contagious.
---Wanda, Giovanna, Tony(firefighter and volunteer) myself and Nikki spent great amounts of time talking about the race and family. I met Tony as he was handing out the free cans of carbs to the old enough runners that might need them to replenish themselves after the race.
---Maureen and her son Tom ran the race. In talking to them later, Tom was tremendously proud of his mom's running and Maureen was so proud of Tom's running accomplishments. Running is such a great sport in that it allows different generations to stay young together and brag about each other.
---Brian(#86) and his brother Steve ran that day and we had a great conversation over great food and great liquids.
---Put this race on your schedule for next year and come enjoy the fantastic atmosphere created by such wonderful people.
---There are more pics and some more short stories about this race in the next 2 entries. Check them out and meet some of the other great people that came to Middlebury to run.




posted by Average Al @ 1:38 PM

There Are Alot Of Firsts In These Pictures










---There were a bunch of people I met at the Middlebury race on Dec. 4th that had 1st time experiences to share. Danielle(#429) ran her 1st race ever that day. I got to watch as her friends Jessie(#473) and Sara encouraged her before the race and cheered her on during the race. What a great way to start into the world of races.
---Jim(#624) has encouraged his wife, Kelly, when she decided to start doing races. He, however, at the Middlebury race, jumped in with both feet and ran his 1st race ever.
---George(white shirt and shorts) recently ran his 1st half marathon. Here we are pictured with Kristen, Robin and Ed. Kristen and I knew each other from a restaurant back in my hometown that we both frequented.
---Jeannette and Darlene--well--this was the FIRST time we ever met and the FIRST beers we ever drank together. That qualifies as a first---RIGHT???
---What a great day, a great race alot of firsts alot of smiles and alot of help for a great cause---Compassionate Care ALS. Remember to check out what great things they are doing at www.ccals.org . There are more pictures in the next blog entry from the Middlebury race so check them out.

posted by Average Al @ 1:12 PM

Speedy #22 And More Great People








---I could show you alot more pictures from the Middlebury race on Dec. 4th beyond these and the ones you've already seen. You would easily be able to tell from everyone of them why the day was so great. All the people were just a pleasure to meet and get to know.
---Lindsey(top left) was there with friends Dan(#22) and Kelli. We got to know alot about all of our running experiences. They, also, expressed a real interest in participating in a 24 hour team relay event that I am in the middle of organizing. I was able to see Dan both behind me and then ahead ahead of me during the race. Once he got past me he was long gone and uncatchable. Kelli was doing her 1st race since coming off an injury and did real well.
---Otis was traveling the course in a cruiser keeping the runners from having to worry about dealing with cars while trying to focus on running.
---Tony and another firefighter ran and worked the race. I think it's great when people step out and help a cause in multiple ways.
---You can probably tell, after looking at all the pics from Dec.4th, why I came away from the race that day tremendously happy to have traveled to Middlebury.
---"THANKS" to all that I met for such an up lifting experience.


posted by Average Al @ 12:43 PM

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