Galumphing with the Jabberwocky

Today's blog post comes to us courtesy of guest blogger John Piekos, writing from the island of Martha's Vineyard, home to many an E Streeter running milestone this new millennium.

Take it away, John:

E Streeter Nation  laced them up this weekend for a worthy Vineyard cause.  Camp Jabberwocky caters to people with disabilities, and this weekend held its annual 5K road race starting at the Farm Institute in Katama section of Edgartown.  You can find out more about the Camp and what it does here: Camp Jabberwocky

Historians may remember that two years ago, Karen won her age group in this storied race.  This year, though, we were unaware of when the race actually was!  Due to "Park Here for 5K" signs, we realized at 8 a.m. that the race was happening, and started at 9 a.m.!  Unphased, we rushed to the start, with Karen running from our house to the start, a robust 1.2 mile workout, while I biked ahead to register.

In the pre-race corral, Karen is in the zone

There were close to 300 participants!  And yes, when the starting gun went off there could be heard the traditional shouts of Carlooooooooos.

The 5K was flat and fast, with people running on the bike path and road.  Karen took the early lead over John, who came out of running retirement (Read: injury, out of shape, gone fishing) for the event.

It was a hot one as turned the final corner on the dirt road finish.

John and Karen posted for a post-finish picture n front of the famous Jabberwocky Bus.

Karen placed second in her age group, with a sub 26:00 performance.  Unfortunately, the registration process was a nightmare (wifi failed, paper registrations delayed results) and she does not yet appear in the official results.  Miraculously, I broke 30 minutes.  All in all a great day for a great run and a great cause.

Thanks, John!

 And with that, we leave you with the words of the Jabberwocky himself, via Lewis Carroll!

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 

      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: 

All mimsy were the borogoves, 

      And the mome raths outgrabe. 

“Beware the Jabberwock, my son! 

      The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! 

Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun 

      The frumious Bandersnatch!” 

He took his vorpal sword in hand; 

      Long time the manxome foe he sought— 

So rested he by the Tumtum tree 

      And stood awhile in thought. 

And, as in uffish thought he stood, 

      The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, 

Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, 

      And burbled as it came! 

One, two! One, two! And through and through 

      The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! 

He left it dead, and with its head 

      He went galumphing back. 

“And hast thou slain the Jabberwock? 

      Come to my arms, my beamish boy! 

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!” 

      He chortled in his joy. 

’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves 

      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: 

All mimsy were the borogoves, 

      And the mome raths outgrabe.