5K for Fatherhood Race Report

Good evening everyone! There just seems to be little time for blogging lately, but I do finally have a race report for a change to talk about!

Last weekend I laced up for the 5K for Fatherhood, put on by a local charity called the Family Foundation Fund here in Nashville. This agency is truly remarkable - they're committed to doing positive things for boys with no male influences in their life.

Here are some stats from their website:

Fatherless children represent:

• 63% of teen suicide
• 70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions
• 71% of high school dropouts
• 75% of children in chemical abuse centers
• 80% of rapists
• 85% of youths in prison
• 85% of children with exhibit behavioral disorders
• 90% of homeless and runaway children

Since 1993 the Family Foundation Fund has served the Metro Nashville and Middle Tennessee areas by providing a mentoring program to fatherless and disadvantaged boys, ages ten years old and older. Through this unique and effective ministry, these boys are nurtured by local Christian men who volunteer their time as surrogate dads to provide leadership, discipline and unconditional love.

God is using Family Foundation Fund to make a difference. Since 1993:

• 42 boys have been mentored
• 13 have completed program
• 100% have made commitment to Christ
• 100% are continuing their education after high school or working full time
• 12 are presently being mentored
• None using drugs
• No children born out of wedlock

Pretty powerful stuff, huh? Instead of treating them like lost causes and clutching their purses tighter when passes on the streets, this organization is making a positive difference in Nashville.

I first got involved with them 4 years ago - this was my first ever race back in 2004. I'd been running about 2 whole weeks with a friend + Brent and we saw this race online and decided to sign up. Back then we didn't even know where Shelby Park was - now we live less than a half a mile away! I had no clue when I ran that race that a running "career" was starting! Even though I haven't been consistently running as much lately, I wanted to do this race for a lot of reasons. I support this organization as often as I can, and I always look forward to the race and seeing the young men, their mothers, and their mentors out there running and walking, full of joy. Races are really a lot more than just running.

It was a warm morning, but really I was just there for a "jog", to support the race, and keep up my streak with this race! Yay for my only 5-peat! A coworker of mine (J) also ran, and I started out with him. I took my time and just enjoyed the day. I hate racing 5Ks (running at vomit threshold is not my thing) so I just ran what I felt. And UGH was it humid and sunny! The big celebrity chair this year was Vince Gill. He didn't run it, he shot the gun off for the start, and then performed a few songs before the awards. And of course I had my pic made with him. =)
And of course they had ChickFila chicken biscuits afterward - Brent's fave which I am ALWAYS happy to give to him since I can't eat stuff like that after running!

Anyway, it was a great day, a great race, a great cause and of course a great reason to have a pic made with a celeb!!!

Vince with the starting gun:








About halfway through the race:








Vince Gill & I:








Performing a few songs before the awards:









Happy Running!!!