Jungle Jim’s more tame than the Sports Complex that featured ‘The Rampage’

Jungle Jim’s - Do you remember the giant water slide at Jungle Jim’s called The Rampage? That thing was treacherous back when the facility was known as The Sports Complex. I go to Jungle Jim’s once a year for the 5K race, but I don’t frolic in the water afterwards or flop about like a porpoise without a purpose with U9 trophy winners bobbing to the rhythm of the wave machine. It’s a great early-morning venue. What other race can you get a finish photo with a giant elephant raised on its haunches behind you?

Tougher and dumber - Exercising in heat and humidity can be dangerous for the goal-driven athletes who ignore warning signs like clammy skin, panting and seeing spots. Throw in shivering when it's 120 degrees on the turf fields. Runners World magazine had a formula 30 years ago: if the temp and humidity add up to over 160, then don’t run. You can hydrate beforehand and take frequent water breaks all you want, but if you overheat and your thermostat goes bad, your hemostatic regulation ceases to function and that is life-threatening.  

Bombs away - Bombs were flying out of Citizens Bank Park in Philly June 21, as the Mets hit seven solo shots in routing the Phillies 11-4. I switched to CNN as a Snickers Bar escape – “Want to get away for a while?” – and the breaking news was all about the United States dropping bunker buster bombs on nuclear development sites in Iran. I used to tell social studies students who preferred the diversion of sports, “There are no true/false, matching and multiple choice objective tests in real life, everything bleeds into everything else like rainbow swirl ice cream.” Speaking of ice cream and political and sports jargon, America is an open society of soft targets and reawakened sleeper cells. Keep your head on a swivel and stay light on your feet. 

Specialized guys - Cam Kilby is a soccer goalie going into eighth grade at Mariner. He was also the kicker on the football team. Last week, he went to a one-day camp at the University of Delaware and got to work with Bodie Frederick, a 2025 Cape grad on campus for the summer hoping to make a roster as a long snapper and center for the Delaware Blue Hens. A couple kids from Cape ended up in the same place working together. How cool is that? 

Crossfire hurricane - Born in a crossfire hurricane, Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Jack Noel). A cosmic confluence occurred Saturday morning at Jungle Jim’s 5K. Jack Noel, 86, walked the distance and was the last to finish. The Dire Straits song "Walk of Life" played as he crossed the finish line. It wasn’t planned or choreographed, it just happened. Jack has a twin brother, Dr. Joel Noel. A quote from  Wendy Adams, local run support person who grew up in York, Pa., and knew the Noel twins: “I have so many memories of Jack. His boys and I grew up together. He ice skated on the creek with us, he loved my parents, and they loved him. He gave me my love for this area, and I am so honored to still have his joyful life in my life. He could have written ‘Walk of Life.’ Filled with joy and love. Thank you, Mr. Noel.” 

Snippets - Three Phillies’ games in a row on national TV was a welcome changeup for this fan. I like getting a fresh out-of-town perspective. A green head alighted on my ankle and bore a hole in my bone as I was sitting in a chair taking 5K race photos Sunday morning by the back bay in Dewey Beach. The spontaneous alliteration of foul verbiage was like a Tourette’s Syndrome masters class. I’m sure there were slurs that others would find offensive, but I was talking to a fly. Go on now, git!