Great 5k Run and Need to Redo Part of Application

A Great Run

Yesterday, I participated in the 2nd Annual Spartan Classic 5k Run/Walk which supported St. Joseph Grade School in my parish. It was my first official 5k. I was a bit nervous running, because I hadn't run too much in September with all the craziness of school starting. I ran about a mile on Friday just to get the cobwebs out. (really I had run 3 miles last week and back on Labor day I ran 4 miles, but I had planned to be running more.)

It was a beautiful day (compared to the Monsoon last year for the 1st Annual Spartan Classic): blue skies, a slight breeze and cool. It got warmer after the 1 mile fun run, but still very nice. I went up to the starting line, of course behind all the fast people, and I started chatting with a couple that were wearing Navy shirts. I remembered talking to Tracie and her husband last year. They have a son in the grade school. Before we knew it, we heard "Ready, Set Go!" and we were on our way.

Since my watch had broken last week, I did not have a pace or time, so I hung out with this crew for most of the race. Tracie's husband soon went ahead and I moved ahead of her and we scattered a bit. But it was quite nice that I basically stayed with the same folks. At all the turns there were teachers and helpers, many of who said, "Oh that's Fr. Pat. Keep Going, Fr. Pat, Good Job!" This was a great help. There were scouts and grade school kids handing out water also yelling support. I felt pretty good as I completed the first loop and the crowd cheered.

The second loop was harder. The hills in this Toms River neighborhood seemed to grow and I began dreading the last hill up Marian St and left up Terrace Ave. But I stayed behind a couple of ladies who had set a good pace and I was spurred on by all the cheers.

As I turned the corner to head up that last hill, I heard, "Come on, Fr. Pat, you're in the Home Stretch!" I gained my second (or third) wind and strided up the hill, passing Fr. Scott, the pastor and a nice group doing the walk. I made it up the hill and turned onto school property to a bunch of kids with water cheering and then the rest of the crowd. We turned onto the track for the final sprint to the finish. I kicked and sped up, stretching out my stride. As I rounded the last turn I saw the time in the range of 26 minutes and I said to myself ,"Holy crap!" I couldn't believe it because I usually run about a 10 minute mile. I crossed the line at 26:45 --well under a 9 minute mile! This was my best time ever. Thanks to the pacesetters around me and all the cheers!

Grade School runners, Drake and Ray, high five me as I cross the finish

I went inside the cafeteria for some water and snacks and chatted with families. It turns out I came in second place in men 30-39! Not too shabby!

Redo the Bishop's Endorsement

I got word last week that I did not fill out the endorsement (permission from my bishop) correctly. I'll have to do that part over. Basically, the process is to fill out an application through the Archdiocese of Military Services web site, and I have a few more things to get together to be sent to Archbishop Broglio. Since I already met with the Archbishop, that part is taken care of. 

Not a problem, I have plenty of time since I wont be released by my diocese until July. Please continue your prayers for this ministry!

Bikefest 2012 and an Update on the Navy

School has started so things have been quite busy. A few masses, including the opening high school mass and Eucharistic procession, bible blessings, sports…lots going on.

Bikefest 2012

This past weekend, I went with some of the Knight of Columbus Motorcycle Ministry down to Bikefest at Ocean City, Maryland. We stayed in Chincoteague, Virginia.  I left Friday after the high school mass and flew down the parkway just in time to take the ferry out of Cape May. There had to be 50 bikes aboard. It was beautiful: sunny, yet cool, weather. We had a great time. We had some great dinner at Don’s seafood restaurant, which we walked to from the hotel.

We had mass at the hotel Saturday morning and a bunch went to a buffet breakfast. Then we rode through Chincoteague wildlife preserve and almost got eaten alive by Mosquitoes when we stopped.

A group rode up to Bikefest (see below) and had fun checking out the tons of bikes and some vendors.

Bikes and Vendor at Bikefest in Ocean City, MD

Sunday morning the group headed to mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. The place was packed. We showed up on the bikes and sat in the back pew (like good Catholics) with our KofC MM vests on. Boz went over to the choir and asked to sing with them. They were delighted. As mass went on, each of us offered our seat to other massgoers. The kindness was mentioned in the homily, which was about putting faith into action.

We left after mass and rode inland until we reached Dover, Delaware, where we stopped at a diner. Then we got on route 1 and headed over the Delaware memorial bridge. I got off 295 onto route 70. We said our goodbyes and three of us headed on 70 East. I finally got home about 630pm on Sunday.

In all, I did about 450 miles (and a ferry ride). Great roads, great people, great weather. Thank you, God!

Navy Update

I received an email update from my recruiter letting me know that my application to the Navy is complete and is being reviewed.  The next step is to be invited to the Chaplain Review Board in Washington. So, I am still waiting for that. At least, I know that my application is being looked at. I hope to hear something soon.