2nd Annual ASME Skeet Shoot

Today was the second ASME Skeet Shoot. We were able to raise enough money to give out three scholarships this year to a student from The University of Alabama, UAB, and UAH. Each student is a Mechanical Engineering Junior or Senior. This year's recipients received their scholarships at the event and all of the donors were able to meet them and congratulate them in person.

Our venue was Selwood Farms near Childersburg, AL. This has been our location both years, and it has gone very well. The course is challenging and the host is very hospitable. We hope to continue our relationship in the future. One interesting thing about Selwood is the restrooms. I have posted pictures that designate the male and female restrooms. See if you can figure out which is which... Some people actually had trouble with this.

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Harmony

Harmony and I arrived to see Miriam and the proud parents around 5:00 pm on Thursday just about 24 hours after she was born. She has no problems so far which is a huge blessing. Mom and Baby came home Friday at noon, and both are recovering well. We are still helping the parents put the changing table together, fix dinner, hold the baby, etc. while they are getting adjusted to their new life. We plan on leaving today (Saturday) after dinner so we can get on the road. It is a long 15 hour drive for Harm and I back to Moody. We'll have to change vehicles in Huntsville tomorrow while also seeing Harm's family for Mother's Day.

Here's a few more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

New Picture of Miriam Elizabeth

I'll get to se her today. We're leaving Knoxville in a few minutes.

On the road again....

B

I'm an Uncle!

Miriam Elizabeth Coley

7 lbs. 10 oz.

20.5" long

Born 4:42pm

May 6, 2009

Run for the Reason: Final Thoughts

1 Pair of Running Shoes: $110
2 Pair of Running Shorts and 5 pair of Socks: $16
2 months of training and 2.5 days of running every twelve hours for a total of 23.8 miles with very little sleep to help fund a cure for cancer: Priceless



This event has been very rewarding for me to honor those who donated to help me reach my fundraising goal. So, to my sponsors, I say thank you for your support. I ran for you and/or your loved ones that you donated for. I hope that I get the chance to do this again in the future. I am thankful I had the opportunity to raise money for such a good cause.

B

Run for the Reason: Final Run

We decided to all run the last four miles into Plant Wansley to make up time, and so we can all run into the plant together. This turned out to be a major blessing to all of the teams. We were able to eat much sooner and get home sooner than expected. Of course to top off the finish, we all got silly stringed at the finish line. This was one of many pranks pulled by each group during the race. Usually, we did something to the baton that we would pass to the next group. Hand cream, maxi pads, faux road kill, water bottles, etc. all were adorned on the baton at one point or another to prank other teams.

All in all, it was a very rewarding event. We all were on edge by the last run and were ready to be done. It would have been easy to get testy and argumentative, but we kept to the schedule and just remembered why we were out there. I can safely say that I will do it again in a heart beat, but I'll need some time to recover first. On that note, I made it home, and I'm about to hit the bed for a nice long nap.

Run for the Reason: Breakfast after 4

Jacks makes a mean biscuit and gravy when you need carbs and protein. Breakfast was much needed before we went to Shocco Springs to take our last power nap before we finish.

Our last leg will be unique. Watch for that post soon.

B

Run for the Reason: Fourth Run

This run was very liberating. After the first three legs, I thought this one would be the hardest. It was the hardest to wake up for. The three hours of sleep the night before was exceptionally glorious; however, the alarm seemed to go off only minutes after I laid down to sleep. Regardless, the worst part was the stiff muscles that I have after sleeping. Stretching was not enough to loosen up. It required the beginning of the run to get the blood flowing and lactic acid out of my legs. I will be very sore after this is over, but it is well worth it. I'm looking forward to sleeping here shortly in the RV. By the way, the RV is having serious transmission issues. There is occasionally a burning smell coming from somewhere, and the transmission definitely is slipping when shifting gears. Sometimes it doesn't even want to go in gear. Nevertheless, we press on.

Sleep Time,

B

Run for the Reason: Dinner after 3

We decided Pizza would be glorious after running past the half way point. We were exactly right. We stopped at the Pizza Hut in Clanton and grabbed a bite to eat. I split a large Meatlovers Pizza with Jennifer. That hit the spot. Then off to the hotel for a few hours sleep.

Run for the Reason: Third Run

This one was harder to get started than the first two. It was mainly due to muscle stiffness and lack of sleep fatigue. I did get chased by a dog on this leg of the trip. A mid to large size yellow lab was booking it across his yard straight at me. I proceeded to turn my 10 minute per mile pace into a sprint up to the lead vehicle. Luckily the dog stopped and barked at the edge of his property, but it did give me that extra boost of energy that kept me going my last mile and a half. Other than that. the most exciting things were the numerous amounts of roadkill. The most challenging part was not the hills or the distance but the heat. The sun wasn't out, but the humidity was around 90-100%. It sprinkled on me a few times during the first mile very briefly, but that told me the humidity was high.

Before this run we stayed at the Best Western in Clanton. I only got 2 hours of sleep this morning, because it was compulsory for me to have breakfast before shower and sleep (in that order). At this point in the race, it is all about priorities. My first priority was to satisfy my calorie deprived body. We ate at the Waffle House and had the most glorious breakfast ever. I had two eggs (scrambled), hash browns (covered and chunked), biscuit and gravy, two sausage patties, two slices of buttered toast with grape jelly, and some bacon. Once my tummy was satisfied I showered and slept.

Run number four is coming up. I think it's going to be the worst one yet. At least it is a night and not during the heat again. We will be finishing near Talladega and Anniston. Those updates will be coming tonight around Midnight.

Until then,

B

Run for the Reason: Midnight Run

Running at night was a new experience. It is very liberating to run under the stars on a cool 72 degree night. The air is fresh and the night noises are pleasant. Our first runner, Kathleen, started around 12:30 just a little behind schedule. She passed the baton to me after 4.5 miles. I ran 4.5 miles in 42 minutes and passed the baton to Holley. Holley was followed by Jennifer, then Waymon, and finally Lee who is running anchor. Between all of us, we are averaging 9-11 minutes per mile. Waymon is probably our strongest runner. He and I are the only two males in the group, but that doesn't really matter. The girls keep the spirit up, and we have a good time.

Each runner had the chance to sleep before or after his run, but it's very hard to do that when you are either anticipating your run or have just run and are pumping with endorphins and adrenaline. I managed to sleep briefly during Lee's time being that I had been done for a few hours and had just pigged out on snacks.

The morale is still high, we haven't had any major injuries. Kathleen has a hurt calf muscle but is able to work out the stiffness and soreness during her run. I had a toenail that was cutting into another toe during the first day run. I fixed that with some toenail clippers and a band-aid.

B

Run for the Reason: Lodging First Night

The Battle House in Mobile was kind enough to let us stay for free on the first night of our journey. This hotel as you can see by the pictures is very nice. I have not seen a nicer lobbey area than in this hotel. Also, the rooms were comparable to the lobbey. Accomodations will not be this nice for the remainder of the trip.

Onward and upward,

B

Run for the Reason: First Run

67 Minutes / 6.1 Miles = 10.98 Minutes per Mile

Not bad for my not running that far in training. I have been averaging 9 minute miles on my 4 mile training runs. Some interesting facts, I passed two dead armadillos, one dead bird, and one unidentifiable dead animal. Spirits are still high, and our remaining runners are rearing to go.

Run for the Reason: Lunch

Lunch at Plant Barry is awesome. Jambalaya, fresh fruit, cake, and all the water we can drink.

We are taking it to go so we don't get sick while running. We should start very soon.

I'm runner number 2, I'll twitter when I start!

B

Run for the Reason: Day One

Today we met at the Southern Company Inverness office at 2pm. We loaded up the RVs and lead vehicles with all of our stuff and headed down to Mobile. We picked up some runners and drivers along the way in Montgomery and Greenville. Arriving in Mobile at 8pm, we ate at the Cracker Barrel for dinner.

To say the excitement is so thick you could cut it with a knife, is somewhat cliche, but it is very true. Some of the more experienced runners (those who have done this before) know what is in store over the next few days. Supposedly, we will be at each other's throats by Saturday afternoon. I'll let you know how true that is on Saturday. Otherwise, spirits are high.

To start with, our team is down a runner from 7 to 6. That makes each run just slightly longer than anticipated. Furthermore, one of our runners will not be joining us for the first leg (the longest leg) thus making our runs even more "fun." So, the good news is that the hardest part will be over at the start.

So far we have begun learning each other's names and association with Alabama Power. I still can't tell you everyone's name on my team, but I will know by tomorrow evening hopefully.

We will begin running tomorrow at noon directly in front of Alabama Power Plant Barry. Then our next run will be Saturday Morning starting at Midnight (yaay!).

Look for another update tomorrow after the first leg.

B