Sunday morning I step off the bus and kareem straight into a garbage bin I'm so nervous and and excited. I want to run somewhere to get into the lineup but all there is is people and Im landlocked behind a corral of white bibs. I need to get ahead of them, Ive been training for months, I feel like this year I am fit and can close it up in less that an hour.
The herd moves up to the starting lineup and we walk, I thought I heard a horn a few minutes ago but that must have been for another group, we are moving like catlle through the gate and not a single person can run yet. We seem to be stuck together, nobody is giving an inch until finally after a few minutes we loosen up and I can get a pace going. Whew! The small taste of freedom doesnt last as we all stop and inch our way around a corner, the same guys has passed me 4 times and now I need to pass him. I step on it. That lady looks like she's moving, I better catch up to her. Oh my god that guy is wearing a grass skirt, I have to pass him or Ill fall over laughing.
OOOH water, I grab a cup off a kids head and throw it at my mouth, I breathe more than I swallow and look around for first aid. There is none so I keep running, we are coming up to the bridge, I love this part, I haul it up the bridge. I can feel people hating me as I sprint past them as they slow down for the climb. Ha ha! Im in the home stretch, passing granville island when I see a kid who has a shirt that says "this is my last pre-op Sun Run". I cry. Hard. Tears are streaming and I realise that I can't let this slow me down. He may be having his tonsils out or becomeing a woman for all I know. I vow to find out later and pick up the pace.
One km left, I resolve to sprint! I am fully running up the bridge, down the bridge I find a clear spot and leap over the finish line and start crying again. I realise how silly I must look, most people have crossed and look very cool and collected. Some even have great hair. I regain my composure and head over to meet the bunnies, wow, that was amazing. I cant wait to hear everyones stories.
My official time was 1hr 54 seconds. I'm sure I was faster though, I must have passed a thousand people. :D
Grumpy Trail Builder in Training