MORE REASONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUSTICEWORKS
JustRunGreen09 Half-Marathon and 5K, September 5, 2009
It would be great to run the Justiceworks Half-Marathon and 5K on Saturday, September 5 and win it. However, there is a pretty good chance that will not happen. While some people will run the race to support a good cause you might be wondering why you should run this race. Like so many of us you are wondering, “What’s in it for me?” Following are 13 reasons you might consider running in the Justiceworks Half-Marathon:
- Not everyone is perfect. For those with a “past” it will be refreshing to run with the law instead of from it.
- Everyone gets a medal! Who’s to know if you were to take it to Lee Ayer’s and have the inscription “First in Age Group 2009” placed upon it. Last year the cost was $6.45, or so I’ve heard.
- A great T-shirt. Civic-minded employers may let participants wear it instead of the much overrated shirt and tie.
- If you have a spouse, or better yet a spouse and children, the 2-4 hours it takes to complete the run is all “alone time”
- The top finishers are too tired to partake in the bountiful selection of snacks and refreshments after the run. This leaves plenty for you! You might consider stuffing some in a sports bag and saving for Halloween treats (Recession busting tip).
- There is a good chance your name will be announced as you cross the finish line. There is a better chance that the pronunciation will be so butchered you will not recognize it.
- Unless you were an exceptionally difficult child, your mother forbade you from playing in the street. During the run the participants will have the city streets to themselves.
- Help reduce the national obesity level. The average American is said to be 26 lbs. overweight. With discipline and sustained effort, we can collectively knock that down to 25 lbs. Dream big!
- People you don’t even know will line the road and give you encouragement. Much of what they say will be lies, such as, “You’re looking good”, “Almost there”, and “Those 1970’s running shorts are way too short for most people to wear in public but you really pull it off”.
- The more out of shape you are the better the chance that you will be rewarded with a day off from work. The inability to walk on Monday is a legitimate excuse for a sick day.
- Free Health Care. While President Obama is having difficulty fast tracking a National Health Care Program, paramedic and emergency technicians will be available to treat all participants with or without health insurance.
- A chance to meet new friends. If you find someone interesting who is sweating profusely, gasping for breath, and flailing about, just think how interesting they might be when not running.
- Extend the life expectancy of your couch. Home interior experts strongly suggest getting off the couch occasionally in order to minimize the wear and tear and the indentation that forms upon the cushions from too much of you doing too little.
Submitted by course commentator Dennis Raabe