Great Legs Are Running in Lowell!

Thursday night saw Heather's first-ever solo 5K race, the Berna's Great Legs are Running race in Belvidere. While she's done a handful in the past, it's always been with Dad alongside, shouting out cheers of encouragement. This race, though, was for the female persuasion only, so Heather flew from the nest alone. And damn, she did great! Here's some pics taken from throughout the course, not just of my pride and joy, but neighbors and friends as well! Great job, Heather, Alyssa, Victoria and Julie!

Running Fourth

This year's John Carson race in Chelmsford marked a first - both Andrew and Heather ran together in their first race! (Courtesy of race photographer extraordinaire Jim Rhoades, check out Andrew's trademark race pose, along with Heather just being cute.)













The temperatures were high, the field was huge, Barry earned his highest pole position to date (#4!) and a good time was had by all. Carlos made a run for the roses, with Andrew lapping at his heels, while John and Karen notched a Martha's Vineyard 5-miler on their belts. (Note to Karen and John, 5K does NOT mean 5 miles). And somewhere in Vermont, Scott celebrated our nation's birthday by watching a rustic parade, complete with fun floats, marching bands and Miss Queechee Gorge 2009.

The Week That Was (But You Didn't Hear About)

What else has happened in the news since 5:26 p.m. on June 25, 2009:

• U.S. troops launched Operation Khanjar - "Strike of the Sword" in Afghanistan, with about 4,000 American soldiers striking against Taliban fighters.
• In Baghdad, Iraq, Iraqis welcomed the deadline on Tuesday for American troops to leave their towns and cities, as part of National Sovereignty Day, so-named to mark the long-awaited U.S. military pullout from Iraq's population centers.
• In Boston, three more people died as a result of the swine flu.
• The eldest of the three Jonas Brothers got engaged.
• Karl Malden, he of On the Waterfront, A Streetcar named Desire, the Streets of San Francisco, and the American Express commercials passed away.
• Transformers made over $200 million at the weekend box office.
• The White house announced the release of $851 million in grants to address immediate health center facility and equipment needs for millions of Americans.

I write all of this in case, you know, you've tried watching the morning, noontime or evening news anytime during the past week and were wondering if anything else was going on in the world besides the death of a certain musician.