Run to Home Base

My university sponsors a 9k race every year that benefits a local hospital that provides services for military personnel returning from combat. It's called the Run to Home Base and I was very proud and excited to have the opportunity to participate in this event.

This was my first big race in a number of years, and my first in my new local city of Boston. I was happy to take advantage of the university shuttle bus where I rode to/from with my 80 coworkers and teammates. I only knew two or three of the people on the bus, and I knew them only in passing, so this run had the added benefit of helping me acclimate a bit more to my new job. There are 1400 people who work in my office building, so getting to know people outside of the half dozen or so with whom I work on a daily basis has been a challenge. Signing up for events like these are steps in getting to know people a little better.

This race was also my first time at Fenway Park, and what a fun opportunity that was! We had the run of the concourse during the pre-race ceremonies, so I had a chance to scope things out and get a feel for where I might like to get a ticket for a game in the coming months.

Because the race benefitted the military, there were many men and women in uniform both running and supporting us along the way. There was a trio of soldiers who were running with their packs on their backs. They were a hoot. We kept passing each other throughout the race, and one of them had a radio that was blasting 80s tunes, and they kept yelling out encouragement to each other. My favorite was when one of them starting yelling at his own legs: "Come on, legs, GET A JOB! Do some work!"

At one point, about 4 miles in to the 6 or so mile race, in the 95 degree heat, everyone was getting a little delirious. One of the guys said to the others, totally deadpan: "I want you guys to know something. I love you. I really do." He saw me grin and said to me, "That includes you! You're in this, too!" I said, "I love you, too!" and he gave a little cheer.

At the end of the race, while waiting to have our picture taken on home plate I asked if I could take their picture. Here they are:

After the race, a local pub hosted us for some food and respite from the heat. It was nice to get to know a few coworkers and then head back to New Hampshire, where most of us promptly fell asleep on the ride back.

My first glimpse of Fenway...

Opening ceremonies...

Me on the warning track after my finish.

What Fenway looks like from the field. No big deal.

That guy ran the entire race in full gear, including a vest.

A local nonprofit, called Neads, brought service pups in training. They were too cute.