A friend asked recently why my wife is “Mrs. Poteet” on TV and radio, but my sons get called out by their real names. Well, turns out that only ONE of that group minds the limelight. My oldest Graham joined me in the sunlight of beautiful downtown Morristown Indiana this weekend to run the P.O.G. 8K. It honors the late Paul Goble, a runner and graduate of Butler, who coached cross-country and track at the High School in Morristown. He died 8 years ago while on a training run with his team. His family and friends decided the best way to remember him would be to run in his memory, raising money in the process for the present cross-country team.
It was big-time muggy, which made the water/Gatorade volunteers all the more appreciated. It was handy to be able to use the high school facilities to rinse off 5 miles of sweat! The World Famous Kopper Kettle Inn is the location for post-race snacks (people forget the importance of post-race-carbo-loading haha) and awards. And beer. I met “the” Ken Long, of Ken Long and Associates by the keg. He’s a Running Icon, a race director and organizer with 30+ years of experience, including putting the “Mini” on the map. He wants me to run the Monumental Marathon, his latest project, which kicks off this fall.
And talk about Small World After All. One of the runners running a training program for that race is WISH-TV’s Traffic Reporter Julie Patterson. Julie told me she ran her first marathon last year, and is planning another. I worked with Julie (and Steve King) for a few years on WZPL’s “Julie and Steve” show, which was on before the Smiley era. Julie and I actually ran neck and neck for awhile Saturday, once I left my son behind. Sorry Graham. He could easily beat me if he (are you ready, parents?) Just Applied Himself.
Speaking of Races, maybe you caught the Big One at the Track this weekend. Congrats to Jimmie Johnson. Sounds like the Track was tough again on the tires. I’m happy to report that my running shoes’ tread seems no worse for the five mile wear. Five miles. I’d have to do that FOUR MORE TIMES to finish a Marathon?! What am I thinking? Well, I KNOW what I’m thinking. I want to keep up with the Julie and Tom show.
My TV son, Tom Davis is ANOTHER Traffic talent who has run the 26.2 miles and lived to tell of it. Maybe it’s a Sign From Above. I haven’t filled out any paperwork yet. I think I could do it, if I Just Applied Myself.
