The Al Briede 3 mile and 1 mile race took place today. Mr. Al was a president and founder of the New Orleans Track Club. He told me he was 87 years old. He did the 1 mile. I hope to be able to do a mile when I am 87, Wait. That is only 34 years from tomorrow. He looked great when he came in.

The 3 miler took place in City Park, following the same path it had in previous years. The last mile will drain you if you are not ready. The last mile crosses 2 small bridges which would be considered hills in flat Louisiana and is completely in the sun. The rest of the race is mostly in the shade of the oak trees at City Park.

I had 3 goals at this race. One goal I thought was impossible. There were 5 racewalkers in my age group. I did not think I could beat any oneof them but I would do my best. I especially did not think I could beat a particular one who was a challenge to me for a long time. The other two goals I might be able to achive. One was beating Del who bragged he beat me last time. The other was to beat 50 minutes on the 3 mile course.
I took off right behind Del. I saw him most of the way on the first mile which was partially an out and back. I saw Mary on top of the pace truck. She had my camera taking pictures. On the second mile, I no longer saw Del. He was way ahead of me and I never saw him again.

I did see one of the race walkers who I was wanting to beat when I turned a corner. He was behind me and was one I had often wanted to beat. I put on the speed and every time I thought about the sun beating down on me I just went faster. I knew that once I finished I could get more water then the two bottles I had brought with me. No one else carried water but I did so I would not get dehydrated.

At the end of the race, I had beat that racewalker and finished in 47:31. This means I beat 2 goals. Now it is time to prepare for the next race. Oh yes, the goodies after wards were jambalaya, beer, Chee Wees, water, and soda. I only took nothing because I knew I was coming home to celebrate my birthday.

Patches and I got up at 0500 and walked three miles. It was great to get out there in the dark and I left old Patches off of the leash. There was only one time I was a little worried about him. He was walking on the street where I was walking except closer to the middle. No cars were coming but I am a worry wart some times. Any way, I went on the sidewalk and he followed my lead. He is one good dog.

As the only brother of four sisters, most of my life I have been faced with this is girl's talk, bug out. Well, yesterday I went to a baby shower, usually a girls thing. I enjoyed it big time. It was great. I saw my neice get lots of present and we played games such as having to name nursery rhyme characters based on clues.

Today, I substituted in P.E. and learned from a fast marathoner, a little over 3 hours fast, that you can be in the back of the pack or the front and get the same enjoyment and applause. He ran a 5 hour + marathon and learned that and talked with me about it.

I also walked the dogs today and Tarzan broke his leash when he was after another dog. After walking the dogs, I did a 3 miler and felt bad about being slow. During the 3 miler, I saw a person in a wheel chair who could barely move. I felt great about getting around and will get around even faster once I get some weight off. I need to be more persistant in getting out there and getting the job done.