Jack Rabbits

The extended E Streeters family took to the Bruce Freeman Trail this morning for an important cause, raising money for Jack Christianson, who is bravely fighting leukemia. All of the proceeds from today's run and walk are being used to help Jack's family cope with so many other costs as they help their son tackle the disease. (And if you couldn't make it today, any donations are still welcome! Checks can be made payable to the Christianson Family Fund, c/o Krisy Ostrowski, and can be mailed to Kristy at 6 Margate Road, Nashu, N.H., 03062!) Please donate if you can, especially during this holiday season!

Pre-race, the extended E Streeters, now adding kids' bicycles to our repertoire.

Jill took the early lead, right out of the gate, but alas, it would not last long.Because Tommy wasted no time in blowing by herHere he is again, all smiles now, feeling satisfied with himself because he's crushed Jill in his wake.Sean and Barry, with their pace bike.At least one of the Scanlon boys would prove he had a chivalrous side today, though.Me, trying to figure out why the Scanlon boys are dressed in identical running suits.We're still all smiles at this point.Shea took off before her dad could take her bike and ride it back in.No bananas, and no husband (Jonathan was home tossing his Christmas cookies), Ruth was no nonsense out on the trail today!Surpisingly, none of us were even able to come close to catching Kara Haas, who makes us all look sadly old and and amazingly slow. An E Streeter alone, Tom Hildreth is trying to figure out where everyone is!Apparently, Anne walks the Freeman Trail every week, because our cameras keep picking her up out there.Dos corazons, en amor:This could have made for a great Christmas card, but the Kennys already got this year's mailed out.Post-ride, Shea found a quiet corner and took up a position that many of us feel like assuming after so many of our runs. Thanks again to everyone for turning out, and congratulations to the organizers, who pulled in quite a healthy number of participants to give Jack and his family a helping hand this holiday season!

Nashobananas or No Show Bananas?

Today was the final No Bananas 5K in the 2011 version of the free racing series on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Chelmsford, and it went off in frigid 28 degree temperatures!
But not everyone was happy today. Tommy, for some reason, seemed especially distressed (for reasons to be revealed later.)

There was a new top dog at this month's race, Kona. Pre-race, folks are getting ready to close out the season without any bananas. Sadly, the race went off again without Middlesex Community College Fitness Fireball Jonathan Crockett, who was home "painting," most likely with a big heaping bowl of Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs.

You never know who you're going to see out on the Freeman Trail.Two of the regular bananas finish up strong, including the Painter's Wife, at right.Post-race, the E Streeters who showed are all smiles.Tommy, though, still seems bothered by something. Could he be trying to give us a clue here?I wore special gear for today's race, honoring the Division 2 Super Bowl Champion Nashoba Chieftains, who cruised to an undefeated season yesterday, finishing the year at 13-0Who's on that Super Bowl Champion team? Why my nephew, Benjamin Nicholson, the hulking #78 seen here.

Of course, Ben had his cheering section present for yesterday's Super Bowl at Fitchburg State University. Congrats, Ben!

Meanwhile, back at No Bananas, we finally get to the bottom of Tommy's plight. It seems 21:07 was missing his running buddy, 21:10. Apparently he thought today was the day they could settle it once and for all. Alas.

Oh well, there's always next year's No Bananas. Stay tuned to the weather reports to see if we'll be running the race in January!

There's a Lot to Like About Tyngsboro

Okay, so it doesn't have the panache of Lowell's award-winning marketing slogan, but the town of Tyngsboro was in need of some TLC, after receiving some bad-rap from some suburbanites afraid of the holiday shoppers, cell phone users, and fruit lovers in town.

So what better way to help boost the town's image than a run with the E Streeters?

In Tyngsboro, you can run on main roads, with no cars in sight!Here we are on the historic, albeit temporary, Tyngsboro Bridge:
Which is really safe and fun, until those treacherous winds blow: In Tyngsboro, the sun is always shining: And traffic safety markings help protect runners and pedestrians alike:The trails are wide open and devoid of those pesky hunters:They even give their trails cute names. We're thinking of renaming this one Barry's Bane:The trails afford you multiple opportunities to pose for bravado shots:And families come together in Tyngsboro, especially when they're wearing the same sports gear, made even more impressive when it shows that yes, they did indeed run the Boston Marathon!So come on, give the town of Tyngsboro a chance.

If you're interested, you can find out even more about the town's rich history and offerings here:
http://www.tyngsboroughma.gov/

In the meantime, in case you're wondering if the E Streeters will be back for more fun and exercise on the safe streets and trails of Tynsgboro, this picture should say it all:

Turkeys Can Run!

Biggest E Streeter turnout ever for a race at this morning's Thanks4Giving 5k (and for Tommy, 10K) race in Lowell, to benefit the Alternative House.

A cold start to the day at a balmy 27 degrees, but everyone was hot on their feet as they looped through Pawtucketville for the annual Thanksgiving tradition. And as always, apple pies awaited everyone at race's end!

Some pre-race, race course, and post-race pics to share with everyone:

Crammed into the start, a large contigent of the E Streeters try to psyche out their challengers:
Home from Holy Cross, and ready to carry the torch for this father-son duo:Three of the brightest men on the course:

A mother-and child reunion, home from Wellesley to run wild in Lowell:

The Trudels in matching running gear:Somewhere in this crush of people is a hand waving. It belongs to Donna Corbin. She and Mary-Jo Griffin tried valiantly to muscle their way to the front:With a Godfather like Barry, Ryan was well-protected on the course: Yes, Sean was indeed beating Scott, Tommy and I for a brief stretch of the race:

Obviously, because we were too busy talking. Here's Scott, flanked by his official Boston Marathon gear Clydesdale bodyguards:

Victoria is either signalling victory or getting ready for a fight:

Brennan was the first Cassidy to cross the finish line:

Mary-Jo is still all smiles, even though she didn't get a tee-shirt out of the deal:

Barry and Jack Minch put on a final burst. Killian had already left them in his dust:

The Trudels take it home!

The Kenny family Christmas card! (Fresh off beating his father in the No Bananas race on Sunday, Finn sat this race out.)

D.J. represents, with her Keene State official running togs:

Afterwards, Brennan was happy to bring home the pie for the Cassidy clan: It's all about the pie, as these two guys clearly know. And yes, they are both wearing Boston Marathon gear. Have they ever run it? Why yes, they did....Sporting their MCC hats and neck warmers, Team MCC is all over the place with races these days.

Making her E Streeter debut, Anne Scanlon (on the left) finishes up the final leg. Little does she know her husband is hot on her heels.

And finally, the lonely life of the 10K runner. Special props to Tommy, who didn't get enough of the course, so he looped it twice!

Once again, thankful to have everyone here for another Thanksgiving day race. Thankful that we're all healthy enough to run. And thankful for friendships that have spanned more than 30 years! E Streeters, don your feedbags, it's time to eat!