Catch us if you can!

Growing up around Grand Rapids, there was a little tradition every spring that included 25 kilometers and an ad campaign with the "Catch us if you can...mmm.mm.mmm...time to get a move on...mmm.mm.mmm" theme song. Radio and TV ads turned the tune into one of those "just can't get it out of your head" songs.

Well, this year the tradition played out in a little more personal fashion. Beginning in February, Mark, Mike, and I embarked on a little training adventure with the goal of completing the 25K (15.5 miles) Fifth Third River Bank Run. It all came to fruition on Saturday.

Although an ankle injury limited Mike to the 5k, all three of us managed to participate in the festivities on Saturday. Mark turned in an impressive 1:57:19 time, averaging 7:34 minutes per mile and beating his goal of finishing in under 2 hours. Personally, I clocked in at 2:09:43, averaging 8:22 minutes per mile and just sneaking under my goal of finishing sub 2:10.

For me, there was also a little nostalgia involved in the race. As a little kid, I had the opportunity to watch both my mom and my dad complete the River Bank Run in '78 and '83.

Although I didn't manage to beat either of their times, it meant a lot to complete the same race along pretty much the same course. There is always next year to make up the time.