I haven’t worn the American Flag shorts since last year and I don’t think they have shrunk in the wash so if they are tight, I can’t blame it on shrinkage. I suppose I should try them on before tomorrow’s Firecracker 10K at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz, California.
This is not an easy run. I meant to train for it. I really did. I ran a few times a couple of weeks ago. But there were all those birthdays to celebrate. It’s hard to run after Princess cake and champagne. Maybe if I eat some spaghetti tonight, I will be able to do the tough, uphill run tomorrow. My goal is to finish no matter how long it takes.
Most likely, I will get a medal even if it takes two hours. Last year I got third in my age category (there were only three of us). If history is any indicator, I may be the ONLY one in my age category this year. Yes, I went up a notch. Heh, heh, heh. If I live long enough, I could become the champion of the world! In something. Oldest female boxer?!
As the Firecracker people put it: “Great Warm-Up for the Wharf to Wharf” which takes place the fourth Sunday of July. I ran my first Wharf to Wharf in 1982 when I was a real runner. At the time I lived in San Francisco and one of my stewardess friends said I simply had to run this race because they had bands on almost every corner and it was a ton-o-fun. Being a City Snob at the time, I thought nothing could be as good as the “Bay to Breakers” in San Francisco which was over seven miles and people dressed in crazy costumes.
Turns out she was right! It was so much fun I ran it every year for many years sometimes traveling from afar. When I lived in Miami I came back for it and combined it with a visit to Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Coming from Costa Rica was more challenging and I missed a few during that time.
Funny thing, my number arrived in the mail today. There’s no getting out of it now.
Now that I am living in Capitola again, there is no excuse. The sporadic training that I squeeze in is usually done with my friend, Kathy. We are the last two runners of our group of eight women who ran regularly in Nisene Marks Park, a spectacular redwood forest in Aptos, California. The rest of the group has gone to walking for a variety of reasons. Kathy and I are lucky to be free of knee or hip problems so we keep going.

Kathy and Carole Jean
We have lost count as to how many times we have run the Wharf to Wharf, but what we do know is we no longer care about our time – we just want to finish. In one piece.
As to tomorrow’s event, I will be the sole representative. Kathy will be busy with her growing family on the
Fourth of July holiday. She is Super G-Ma. (Grandma). She’s no Granny-in-a rocking chair, that’s for sure. Although she does rock!
I am thinking of asking Felicia the Flamingo to run it for me since the shorts look so good on her. But, she has a knee problem. You know, with them being backward and all. So, I guess I’ll wiggle into the shorts and think about pancakes. The reward at the end of the race is a pancake breakfast. I eat them once a year at the Firecracker 10K. Whoo hoo!
Happy Fourth of July everybody!
Carole…
Thanks for the heartwarming blog, dear friend. I received my bib number today too! And for tomorrow, I will be cheering you on❣️
Text me when you are done ✅ Let’s hit the roads next week, OK?
Happy 🔥 Firecracker…. Hot One❣️
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Kathy
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Ha, from the Title I was going to ask if it was much of a struggle. In the end, you had a good run though.
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Thanks, Bill!Yes, I met my goal…finished it! Not fast, but that’s OK. I did get a second place medal in my age category. Some 71 year old beat me y 2 minutes! Maybe I’ll actually train for next year. Thanks for writing!
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Hey you,
Have lots of fun and best of luck!
I have a great flying sister who lives in Seattle her name is Felicia and it is her birthday today! Going to send her your blog info and she can see who else was having a great time today. The shorts look better on you but Felicia, the flamingo, does wear them well!
________________________________
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Hahahaha!! Thanks, Anne. As always, your support means a lot. Carry on!
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I remember when you ran Bay to Breakers the first time and beat your husband of the moment. (Bill?)…We had a laugh over it. I don’t think he was as happy as you were!!!
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Yes, Geni,, that’s right You have a great memory! Thanks for writing and making me smile!
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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY CAROLE!!!! THOSE SHORTS HAVE QUITE THE HISTORY WITH YOU AND NOW YOUR FLAMINGO.
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Yes, they do, Sheila! Remember when they ran in Costa Rica. The shorts, that is – they took me for the run. I had not idea where I was going! Nice to hear from you!
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Good for you for your perseverance and the delightful way you tell a story.
Keep up the great job of making us smile and cheering you on!
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Thank you, Dear Marietta! I always appreciate your reading and commenting! Miss you BG1.
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