Let me just start by saying sorry. Its been over a month since I last confessed...ah, wrote. I promise to be a little more motivated...especially since the tempratures are now reaching the upper 90s and its humid and well, I don't go outside when it goes over 85 degrees...Im allergic to sweat. Not work sweat...but sweat the comes simply from standing in the sun. 'nuff said.
To my point...
Yesterday my was the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) 5k in New Canaan CT. My mother in law has this form of cancer, diagnosed a few years back. In an effort to do our part on her behalf to find a cure thru research, Tiffany decided that she would raise money for the cause by running in the race. (may I point out that her efforts in the past 2 years has raised close to $7k...I am so proud of her). This is the scene of my epiphany....
Lets go back two days prior first...
We spent Friday and Saturday in the Catskills mountains with some friends having a good time. We did a little hiking, some form of Ping Pong that involved running around the table, hitting, and running again. Good times. Anyway, while we were there someone asked Tiffany if I was running too, to which I replied "NO"...and she quickly repsonded with a "he is going to walk it" DING! huh? I am? I was informed that Tiffany's sister was going to walk it, but only if I went too. So there you go...I have now been offically entered into the race..as a walker though.
Fast forward back to Race Day....
We get to New Canaan High School at 7:45 so we can register and get ready for the event. Mind you, at that time it seems like it was in the mid 80s already. Stepping out of the car meant sweating without movement...But i triumphed and managed to sign in...and then run back to the car and sit for some AC therapy. We had the kids with us so they were crawling all over the car and pressing buttons and yes, honking the horn uncontrollably...somehow a 1 year old and 3 year old don't get the idea that leaning on the steering wheel produces a honk. Despite our explanations, they kept doing it and would look at us like we were crazy upon our disapproval. Whatever.
Anyway, eventually Nina (Sister in law) shows up with her son, Timmy. Did I mention I also have to push 2 kids for the 3.1 miles? So we push up to the line and move to the back behind the runners. There must have been 500 to 1000 people there doing this. Insane. Anyway, the race/walk began and we set off on our way. New Canaan is Beautiful....very wealthy and tree covered mostly. It was a great place to do this....the problem...Im a fast walker. I hate being last....why are these people walking so slow...I need a goal to pass the time...what to do...ah...I'll settle for being the first one to cross the line with a stroller. YES...I will win the imaginary stroller division. This division consists of all walkers pushing strollers, as well as little kids riding bikes with training wheels. No kid on training wheels is going to finish before me!
So for awhile I was able to convince Nina to stay with me as we cut through the crowd. 1 Mile down and I think there is only 1 stroller left. A dad in a running stroller with 2 kids. He is mine! But alas...in the now 90+ degree heat, my wingman (Wingwoman) had had enough of my maneuvers and the "fake right, go lefts"...I had to slow down. Accept 2nd place in my division. I was okay with that...I had good reason. Well, until I realized that a mother had 2 kids on bikes with training wheels....what? Im now 4th. There is no trophy for finishing 4th in the Stroller division. So I was able to get Nina to go a little faster. We caught up to them....and then it happened. That little juvenile bike gang in training wheels rode off the sidewalk into the street with a clear path ahead...and I was stuck on the walkway behind the 2 slowest walkers on the planet. (Not to mention behind me were 2 guys talking football, that had no idea what they were talking about.) This is what hell is? I can't go faster....ignorance behind me, kids beating me, and Im sweating. The good news...we hit the 3 mile mark and someone was kinds enough to hose us down as we passed. We made it! 3.1 miles. I made it thanks to of all things, my competitive nature.
And you know what...I'll do it again next year. But next time....maybe I'll run it. Oh, and in order to enhance the good times, Im bringing an Ipod and a taser gun. The Ipod to ignore what people are talking about, and the taser well...sometimes "On the left" doesn't always work.
Did you know that you can draft a stroller if you get close enough behind another stroller. Just make sure you don't clip someone's heel. Its apparently 1.) not cool and 2.) hard to explain your drafting them without looking like a complete dork.
