I have a few minutes so I want to update what has been happening the last few weeks. Who am I kidding? I have about 10 minutes till I get the kiddies and that is not nearly enough time. One thing I really do want to share is the Avenue of the Vines 5k Jason and I did about a week ago.
As I mentioned before, since the CHO 5k I have been in a funk, and not exercising or eating right. In an attempt to undo that damage, I went for a jog (8.1) the Sat before the 5k. Lets just say that the rumors are true. For every day you miss, it takes your body two to get back. The crippling heat wasn’t helping either, and the lack of gumption continued into Sunday morning. Now, to be fair, the organizers had no control over the weather, or my lack of fitness. BUT, the fact that we got off the freeway and were quickly turned around and sent to ‘overflow’ parking on the OTHER SIDE of the freeway was not a good beginning. Seeing the line of people in the RV parking lot waiting for the shuttle to give them a ride (we assumed there was a shuttle from the sign “shuttle”, not because any person was there to share that tidbit with us. We were thinking we had to hoof it). After parking, and then deciding which items we HAD to take with us (you can’t just run back to the car afterwards for your things, too far!), we got in line and waited. and waited. and waited. for 20 minutes, I am not kidding. The line at this point snaked around back to the freeway. Where is the shuttle? I, along with my fellow runners, were getting peeved. AND, and, and, it is 7:50. Race starts at 8. I am figuring there is no way we will make it. Perhaps they will delay the start because there are hundreds of people waiting for a freaking shuttle. Which, when it finally arrives is a RV airbrushed with the largest, pinkest cloudy sunset you have ever seen. I think about 25 people were able to get on, and away they went.
Amazingly the ’shuttle’ returned a few minutes later and we were able to board. Luckily we were spared having to ride in the BEDROOM area. The whole thing was just too ridiculous, and ALMOST funny, if I hadn’t been so annoyed. Of course my event planner brain was spinning away. “Why wasn’t there mention of overflow parking/shuttle on the race day info? (we, and everyone else, could have allowed extra time) Why wasn’t there an ‘official’ somebody at the parking area apologizing, explaining and facilitating?” and a million other how-I-would-have-done-it-better thoughts. As we drove down the road we see there is tons of parking still available, and as it was in the vineyards had the cars parked side by side rather than end to end, even more cars would have fit. I do have acknowledge the fantastic RV driver. He seemed like a really nice guy who got stuck in a crappy situation. (i thought I overheard him say that some of the other RV volunteer drivers didn’t show, which obviously would have made a difference)
We finally get there and over the loudspeakers they are saying “half marathoners, go, go, go, your race has started!” and then a minute later, the 5k started too! We didn’t have time to tie our shoes, stretch or adjust our ipods. (I should mention that this race, thankfully, had chip timers so even with the people starting at different times each would be accurate.) We took off anyway, but I stopped about 10 minutes in to retie my shoes. The run itself was really boring…just down the road and turn around at the halfway point. While it was in a rural setting, it wasn’t particularly pretty and running on the asphalt in the heat was terrible. I walked most of it and had a disappointing morning. Jason waited for me at the end to cheer me on and as always I got so embarrassed by the cheers of the spectators at the finish I almost walked off the course. The ‘after’ celebration was very nice though… several vendors, a 1/2 sandwich, waters and some wine to try at the lovely winery. We stayed for a bit and then caught the ’shuttle’ back, this time appreciating its cheesiness in all its glory as the race was over. Jason and I both decided this is one 5K we will probably not participate in again, which is unfortunate as we love to support local events.
Here I am, a month after the CHO 5k and I have run 3 times, gained 5 pounds and have been eating terribly. Today I returned to counting points and tomorrow I’m lacing up my shoes and getting back to c25k. I may start with the week 5 intervals to see where I am at physically.
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