Another Heart Walk in the Books

This past May 20th I participated in my second Wall Street Heart Run and Heart Walk and I am proud to say that I met (or nearly met) all my goals.  The fund raising was stronger than expected (more on that later) and the walk was a success.

Whenever I do participate in a 5K events (which is rather infrequently) I have three goals:

1. Finish The Race:  I really don’t want to keel over mid-race.  This is just bad form and I wouldn’t want to be “That Guy.“
2. Finish in Under 1 Hour:  For the record, I made it.  The photo below belies my actual time as the walkers head out 5 minutes after the clock starts for the runners.  The Wall Street Run and Heart Walk is the NY Road Runners second largest event…the largest being the ING New York City Marathon.  The Wall Street Run is actually one of the events that affords competitive runners the opportunity to qualify for the Marathon, so I try not to belly-ache about the head start they receive.
3. Finish NOT in Last Place:  There were literally dozens of people from the nearly 20K  participating that just could not match my blistering pace.

Please forgive me as I issue a hearty thank you to all the people who supported me in the 2009 Heart Walk.  In all honesty I was quite lackadaisical in my fund-raising this year and the fact that I actually surpassed my goal of $1 more than last year was very gratifying.  With a final tally was $5,723. and increase of $198, a 4% increase over 2008 and an average donation of almost $63 up nearly $10 over last year.  All things considered, with the economy in the john I was pleased to end up so strongly.  And if you were not able, or I neglected to hassle you sufficiently, look for Team Traveler Bill to be participating in the Brooklyn Heart Walk this coming October.

Now I would be remiss if I neglected to give a shout out to the Heart Walk Support Staff for Team Traveler Bill.  Traveler Bill Industries Director of IT Matilda Read-Dundee’s parents flew all the way from Melbourne Victoria Australia to be members of Team Traveler Bill.  They acquitted themselves nicely making sure I had plenty of shirts to keep me warm, pieces of fruit in case I was peckish and water bottles to slake my thirst.   So to Frank and Sandra, I offer a special Traveler Bill Brand “Thank You,” and I guess one to Matilda as well (She’ll get hers when the Heart Walk Thermometer is finally removed.)

Thanks again for all the support.

Traveler Bill