So I only started running recently. My dad was my inspiration for entering races. I figured that I could do it if he could, being 27 years older than I am. So I signed up for the 8K race last year and my Dad and Dave as well as some other co-workers ran in the 10 mile race.

It was cool to go back to downtown Flint since I went to college there and to see so many people there. My Dad and I walked through the hotel where they were selling running accessories. It's amazing the things that they sell runners like nipple guards and energy jelly beans. I ate a nice pancake breakfast in the outdoor theatre and met up with Olaf and Dave, I think.

We waited in a long line for the bathroom at one point in the university pavillion and I think I remember some guy being weird in line. Dave, do you remember this?

Anyway, the 10 mile race started before my race so I watched my dad cross the starting line and then headed towards the car to get another water or something. It was cool walking the campus and going to the same parking garage that I had gone to every day for four years. The Murchie Science Building hallway looked exactly as I remembered it with all of the weird science/cosmos artwork.

I was drinking so much water that I had to go to the bathroom again. Rather than wait in line in the pavillion, I went in the Science Building. When I came out, there was this older black gentlemen sitting on a bench and I said "hi" and he greeted me. I noticed that runners were coming down the road so I thought I would wait to see if my dad ran by there. The old man started talking to me about how he used to live in New Orleans when he was younger and how he used to walk everywhere he went. He said that someone told him that he shouldn't walk so much or that he might pay for it later in his life. He attributed all of his walking in his earlier days to his present joint pain. He lamented that he could no longer walk around now without pain.

It was kind of weird because I kind of felt the urge to pray for him to be healed of his pain but I thought that was weird and awkward and I didn't do it. I wonder what would have happened if I had done that - I mean even if he was not healed, I never would have seen him again but I would have a more interesting memory to tell.

Nonetheles, I sat there and listened and talked to him and he told me that he has a son in Detroit who has a very successful business but that he doesn't see him very often because of it. It was a pleasure to meet this guy and hear his stories but, unfortunately, I can't remember his name. All I know is that he lives in Flint and walks with a cane.

So I eventually noticed that all of the people who were coming down the street were really struggling and I knew that my dad had already passed this way. I walked down to the starting line to start my race.

It was a very cool run. It was nice to run down the streets of Flint. There were a lot of really friendly people in their front lawns and on their porches. It was tough though. One funny thing was when I passed some walkers who were calling themselves "three guys drinking beer and walking" and that is essentially what they were doing. There was also a church group that was cheering on people and playing Christian music and I remember yelling "Praise God" or something as I ran by.

I finally finished. I always switch to a sprint as I get towards the finish line because I like to pass a few people as I get towards the finish line. I probably look really silly but it is a lot of fun. I don't think that my time was impressive or anything.

Afterwards I cooled down and got in line for my free slice of pizza and the obligatory banana. I met up with the guys from work and my Dad and Dave but never saw Olaf. I also saw Mike Hester my old pastor from New Hope Bible Church there as well as Matt Slavin who I keep running into at races. Matt used to be the praise and worship leader at New Hope Bible Church's Coffee House.

All in all it was a fun race and thinking about it makes me want to start running again so I can do it again this year.