Way To Go Team Bissell!
View results of 5k
(Note: Several runners' times were not recorded. We will work hard to get those times listed here, as well.)
View the 5K route
Special thanks to Amy Schaaf (and the rest of the YMCA staff) and Lars Wilson (The Bissell Companies) who organized and registered employees, as well as Mr. Bissell who covered the employees' registration fees.
5k Recap
Karen Martin
On Saturday, May 10th, I was inspired (and nervous) as I stood at the starting line with approximately 340 participants (50 of them being our very own BFOC employees) for the LiveWELL Carolina - Morrison YMCA Corporate 5k in Ballantyne.
All ages were represented and took home awards, some of the youngest being Charlie Klecker, a 14 year old from Charlotte, who won second place overall, running 3.2 miles in 18:26. I was equally impressed with Lexie Winters, also of Charlotte, who took home third place for female in her age group, completing the race in 26:46, at the tender age seven! Then there was our BFOC Chairman, H.C. Smoky Bissell, who took home the first prize for his age group. We had a great list of winners from BFOC, including Dee Bell, Jack Tese, Alley Sundquist, Jenna Dykstra, Emily Vespo and Kelly Randazzo. Melissa Bell, daughter of Dee Bell with The Bissell Companies, won female overall with a time of 20:22 while first male overall, Wes Kessenich of Waxhaw completed the race in 18:26.
I, Karen Martin, was just happy to finish before the bouncy house from Monkey Joes was deflated and packed up.
For someone who is not a regular runner, I had to be shown how to properly stretch before and after the race, not to mention I was wearing shoes I shouldn’t have been running in. My confidence boosted a little when I caught site of Greg Cox, The Bissell Companies, wearing hiking boots. The route around the Park was a lot different than running on a treadmill, as it was both flat and somewhat hilly at times. Contrary to what I heard from weather reports, there was no sign of rain and plenty of sunshine. Early on in the route I giggled at the sign that read, “Show those lazy bulls how it’s done!” I wasn’t giggling at the 1 mile marker, already a bit tired.
At times I wanted to just tuck and roll down the hills, but thankfully I had Stephen Langoya, Ballantyne Resort, who was sticking beside me to coach me on. His method of bursts of running then fast walking helped me to pace myself, as did the cheers from YMCA volunteers sporadically placed throughout the route.
My feet now aching and my blue and white “Team Bissell” shirt (and Bissell socks!) now sweaty, I was wondering who had talked me into doing this! About that time a golf cart of YMCA "cheerleaders" breezed by me telling me I could do it! I wasn’t sure whether to yell at them or try to jump on the back of their cart, but something inside me suddenly said, “Yes, I can do it” and I kept on going.
As I approached mile 2.5, Barry Fabyan, Bissell Companies, came to the rescue passing out cups of water and I was sure to grab one. I wasn’t sure what to do with my empty plastic cup until I saw my boss, Dan Bissell, toss his on the ground. I thought to myself, “Well, if my boss can do it, so can I.” I crunched the cup up in my hand and very dramatically tossed it on the ground. I felt like a woman on a mission to the finish line.
I must admit I was jealous when the runners started flying by me on there way to the finish, and I still had a ways to go, but I didn’t let that stop me, even though I had slowed down a bit. It wasn’t until someone came from behind me pushing a baby stroller that I thought, “Step it up! Go, go!”
I couldn’t have been more proud of myself as I approached (or limped) to the finish line and high five'd my family on the sidelines watching for me. My husband finished earlier than I, and when I wasn’t around the corner after him my little girl sarcastically said to daddy, “I think mommy died.” Shortly after, here I came, winded, wore out and sweaty, but I made it! My time? 37:55.
I woke up Sunday morning and had a hard time moving. I literally had to sit and slide down the stairs because I was so sore. But that didn’t matter. What mattered was that I actually completed a 5k!
On Mother’s Day I was fitted for a pair of running shoes and joined a running group through TrySports, a sponsor of the 5k. My goal? Next year I am going for a medal!