"For The Love Of Pine Cones"

What an incredible morning!

We had 29 runners - in 45 degrees weather and rain - complete the Fall 2007 version of the Montgomery County Triple as well as five (5) other individuals who met the requirements through their volunteerism and/or participation in all three (3) events.

Our efforts are all about promoting the sport in - and around - Montgomery County and there are plenty of opportunities to benefit multiple individuals, groups, clubs, organizations and businesses.

The next two (2) events - aside from the bi-monthly Run The Woodlands 5K - are the Saturday, December 15 Willis Wildkat 5K, put on by the Willis High School Cross Country program, and the Monday, December 31 New Year's Resolution Run Kid's Mile, Teen 2-Mile and 4K, hosted by the Oak Ridge Track Club to benefit Oak Ridge High School's track and cross country programs.

I'm going to take a moment to attempt to thank everyone - in no particular order - that I can possibly think of that had a part in making this weekend an incredible, fun-filled success:

Rick Cook - The individual who, at seeing the City of Conroe Turkey Trot 5K on the calendar, morphed our "The Woodlands 2-fer Turkey Day" into the "Montgomery County Triple" and designed and created our award.

Jim Fredricks and Mike Jones - Publisher and sports editor of the Conroe Courier for allowing us to have a weekly running column in their publication. For those of you who read already, thank you. For those who don't, the column regularly appears on Tuesdays.

Roxanne Davis - Race director of the 18th annual GE Run Thru The Woods and companion events. She raised the awareness of the Triple by putting the events on their web site. Thank you!

Christine O'Hagan and Lauren Arnold - The Special Events Coordinator and Director, respectively, of the Parks and Recreation Department for the City of Conroe. These individuals were responsible for the Turkey Trot 5K on Friday and orchestrated a challenging multi-terrain, cross country course in a fun environment.

Mike Lucas - Luke's Locker for allowing us to have the traditional Run The Woodlands 5K in both of the Triples and providing staff to continue to administer the event in its eighth year.

Cindy Jones - Conroe resident, who works for Goodrich's Pro Star Waste, with the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce who provided us with a free entry (won by Patricia Gilbert) for the first annual Davy Crockett Bear Chase Marathon and Half Marathon in Groveton, TX on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

Ken Johnson - Vice president of the Seven Hills Running Club in Huntsville who provided a free entry (won by Joe Martinez) to the October 2008 Huntsville Half Marathon.

Dana-Sue Crews and family - Author of "Our Daddy's Cancer" who, with her children Morgan and Dylan, autographed copies of her book for winners Mike McDougal and Stephen Smith. The book, available at Barnes & Noble at The Woodlands Mall, is about the thoughts, concerns and support of the two youngsters while their father, Bill, battled lymphoma. (A part of the proceeds from sales of the book goes to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.)

Bill Dwyer - Coach extraordinaire who helped promote the Montgomery County Triple to all of his constituencies - Woodlands Fit, Team in Training-The Woodlands and The Woodlands Running Club (and anybody else who would listen and accept his e-mails.)

Karen and Emma Felicidario - Local mother and daughter who helped build our awards and provided critical race day support on Saturday. Karen, of course, was one of the 29 while Emma ran 1-milers at both events and did a great job today.

Mick Long and Andrew Perry - Both of these local runners and Luke's Locker employees built the towers - early in the morning - at Run Thru The Woods and the City of Conroe Turkey Trot 5K while race directing Run The Woodlands 5K.

Waverly Walk - I forgot to recognize my own daughter today; however, she ran the 3-mile race on Thursday and passed out flyers on our upcoming local events as well as writing down the names of all of the finishers today at Run The Woodlands 5K. Most importantly, she listens to her Dad ramble left and right about the sport ad nauseum and rarely, if ever, complains. Her love and support is critical in making all of this work.

Bookmark this blog for more information about Montgomery County events and the Spring version of the Montgomery County Triple (which will be part of the Spring Montgomery County Racing Series)!

Thanks to all of you for participating as well as your support!

Sincerely,
Jon Walk