Sunday 20 September 2009

Another run down....the tube...

Today was the Canada Army Run, this was going to be a great fun run with friends and a get together afterwards.

This leads up to race day.

I had contacted the race director earlier in the month to see if I could change from my over zealous thoughts of the Half Marathon down to the 5K (they only offer those two events). Race director said, he couldn't do anything, the bibs had gone to print. HUH??? Later in the week, I receive a notification from the Running Room, I'd been entered into the 5K, then a further notice, ooopsss sorry, from Race Director's assistant....stating that they hadn't realised that the bibs had gone to print, sorry, no can do the change (again), maybe change it over at the sports expo....okay, sounds reasonable.

Friday after work I head downtown to the Armories and pick up my kit, yup, still the half marathon....go over to the "Correction" area, wait for ever and then it's my turn to talk to the young man about making the changes....errrrr, could you, would you mind coming back, the person who looks after this is on break....okay, when should I come back? Maybe Twenty minutes....?? *insert cricket noise here*

Now, if I'd been thinking (*insert cricket noise here*), I would have just gone over to the chip activation area and hand the chip in....the signs were there that this was not going to be a good weekend.

I had been watching the weather report for the up coming week, it was going to be a nice weekend, but then the rain and cold were going to arrive Monday or Tuesday. So this was the weekend that major outdoor yard work had to get done, mainly bring in my indoor house plants and put away the patio furniture, cut the lawns (one last time), well you know the deal when you own a house.

Saturday was busy, busy (but I got a 15k bike ride in), but still had a lot to finish up on Sunday.

Sunday morning arrives way too early, I woke up at the butt crack of dawn, fuel up and head out. It was still dark and the fog was so thick I could hardly see, but once I got out to the main road about 10K down, the fog lifted, but I was now running behind, because I don't like driving too fast in fog....call me a geezer, I've got big shoulders and I've been called worse this weekend.

I make it downtown with maybe 10 minutes to spare, not a problem...until I get to the intersection just before the World Exchange Plaza where there is free underground parking....

I'm greeted with construction, blocked roads and a very wise tourist bus operator who decides to turn right, ~ across two lanes of traffic (from the left hand turn lane) and the police stop him. So, okay, tour bus is now blocking all of Metcalfe Street and no one can get by....due to construction.

I sit and wait, wait and wait some more, now people are honking their horns, what that proves I'm not too sure but it was very annoying to say the least. Traffic is still ground to a halt when I hear KABOOM!!!! The 5K race cannon has gone off, the race has begun and I'm sitting in my car. You just know when things aren't meant to be, don't you?

So, finally the police lift their barricade and the tour bus goes through, unblocking the traffic, it was a free for all, people trying to get their cars parked so they could get to the race venue. I finally found a parking spot, walked over to the race tent, took off my race chip, handed it in to the young man who couldn't help me on Friday and I walked to the finish line to take photo's of my friends who were running their race.

So, the Wooo Hooo's are celebrating with a post race lunch and I'm home moving indoor plants indoors and putting away patio furniture....

When life hands you lemons go to your blog and b*tch about it.....

excuse me, I'm going to make lemonade....care to join me?

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

* or get up earlier and leave more time to get to the race....LOL


*****************************************
see good things DO happen,

Marlene over at Mission to a(nother) Marathon, had a very cool giveaway from Halo Headbands, and I won...along with "Tall Mom on the Run"....how awesome is that? Congrat's Tall Mom.

I'm hoping to be able to choose the red headband to match Ruby....but if I have to thumb wrestle I will....LOL!

Thanks to Halo and to you Marlene, You made my weekend! xoxoxox

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Well! That's really too bad!

Unknown said...

well, crud!!

Wes said...

Sometimes, you just got to know when to fold'em :-)

Anonymous said...

oh man!!! what a day!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

that sucks! sorry this weekend didn't work out as planned :(

Kim said...

Hey...you tried.
Hope all your plants are inside and happy.

Marlene said...

Sorry it didn't work out this morning. :( Who knows... things seem to happen for a reason some times, right?

Congrats again on the win. And Ruby Red is yours. :)

Bluenoser said...

Well That sucks.

-B

Nat said...

Yeah,it's an odd little event this half. Lots of people not the best organization...

Sorry you missed it.

bluecolnago said...

at least you got to ride ruby this weekend.... that counts for something! woohoo!

Bert said...

Bummer, sorry you missed the race. There's always a next time!

Laurel said...

Ugh, that stinks. But you're right. Maybe it wasn't meant to be for some reason.

Vickie said...

I would have done the same thing! At least you had fun afterward.

Runner Leana said...

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear about the race! How frustrating. Sigh, sometimes things are not meant to be...

ShirleyPerly said...

Bummer about the race! I'm sure something similar will happen to all of us at one time or another ... Congrats on winning the Halo!

Sunshine said...

So sorry.. but your blog was fun to read. Thanks.
And I agree.. how often Sunday morning comes too early.

EndorphinBuzz said...

Sorry to hear things didn't work out on Sunday. Some day we will meet even if I have to invite you over :)

Judi said...

bummer about the race. but at least you still had fun cheering!