A week of vacation had slipped by when I proudly proclaimed to my wife, Kathy, that I had logged about 1,000 miles in a series of trips around the state during the last week. The reason for the proclamation is that Kathy has said that I can sometimes be a curmudgeon- type Mainer who likes to stay at home as long as there’s a heavy dose of ESPN (radio or TV), the Internet or a good book available.

Before you hear her response, here’s a brief review of how this “curmudgeon” spent the last week. It started last weekend with a trip with my oldest son, Ryan (16), to Cape Elizabeth where he was running in the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K road race, which attracts some of the world’s best runners.

The race proved to be a true world-class event as it featured international standouts such as men’s winner Evans Rutto of Kenya and his countrymen Joseph Kimani and James Koskei as well as women’s winner Catherine Ndereba of Kenya and countrywoman Lornah Kiplagat. It was also interesting to watch talented local runners such as first Maine finisher Andy Spaulding.

The race course along the coast to the Portland Head Light was both beautiful, and as Ryan discovered, challenging. It was a wonderful experience for a young runner to be part of a field of 3,718 and be in a race that included the world’s best. Few sports offer such an opportunity and it’s one that other young runners should consider.

After the race, it was time for a trip to cool off the whole family as we ventured to Aquaboggan Water Park in Saco. The park features steep, rolling water slides that plunge participants into cooling water after they’ve worked up a sweat standing in line while climbing the hill to the top of the slide. Ryan especially enjoyed repeating this cycle as did my other two children, Matthew (11) and Tess (8), who were a bit wiser than their older brother and spent some time cooling off in the “wave pool,” which keeps a current of small wakes rolling over its swimmers.

The next day, as Kathy headed to the coast’s cooler climate for a trip with some friends in the teaching profession, we ventured inland to visit my parents and grandmother in Millinocket. That trip, as always, featured good company and good food.

The week of vacation concluded on Saturday with a trip to Augusta where I took Tess to compete in the Maine USA Track & Field State Championships. The day was kind of an eye opener while uplifting as I didn’t realize there were so many young athletes participating in track and field in Maine.

The meet was for four age groups — 13-14, 11-12, 9-10 and 8 and under – with approximately 300 youngsters competing. If you’re like me, you may get a little concerned and wonder about the direction of our youths when you see a teenager – dressed in mostly dark clothes with a sleepy look and cigarette dangling from his lips – walking down the street in your hometown. Attend a track and field meet like the one hosted by the USATF and your concerns will be alleviated. There were hundreds of young athletes showing off their skills and talents while encouraging their friends.

Young athletes such as some of Tess’ teammates – Brendan and Brian Carr, Sarah Babin, Clara Jeffrey, Courtney Arrico and Alison Keane – seemed typical of the hundreds of others at the meet with their enthusiasm and abundance of energy. They inspire confidence that our youngsters are headed in a positive direction.

That capped a week of this curmudgeon’s 1,000 miles around our state. And Kathy’s response to my proud proclamation of time away from ESPN, the computer and my book? “Well, three of the four trips (the Millinocket trip included a round of golf) had something to do with sports. No wonder you were so happy to do them,” she said with a smile.

What could I say? Years of domestic tranquility have taught me that my wife is always right.

Joe McLaughlin is the NEWS sports editor.