The race start. Jill & me. The Pac-man bus.
Here's what happened... Apparently the Irish and other European countries are MUCH less forgiving of those of us who walk less than 4 miles an hour. A couple weeks ago, I received an email -- as did everyone else who registered for this 1/2-marathon -- that the time would be strictly enforced. A bus would be bringing up the rear, scooping people up who weren't able to make the time. That was a major source of my nervousness about this race. I haven't been able to maintain that time for an entire 13.1 miles. Which is one of the reasons why I waffled about participating.
Last night, I looked at the course and decided that if I needed to drop out, about mile 7 would be the closest place to get me back to Trinity. I didn't count on being so far behind, though, and eventually decided it wouldn't be so bad to be picked up by the bus that was creeping behind us. I was actually relieved when someone jogged up to me to say that it would pick me up around the bend inside Phoenix park! He added that we would be dropped off further up the course, "so you can finish strong." Wow!
I'd been having this image of the bus being like Pac-man, gobbling up people who got too close...
So, when I hopped on the bus, I was cheered! Everyone was laughing and having a good time, taking it easy on themselves. What a concept!
Ironically, it was about mile 7 that I was picked up. And the Pac-man bus spit us all back into the race at around mile 10.
It was still an effort to keep up a pace, but I met up with an Irish woman, Maria, who had passed me, then jumped on the bus shortly afterward. She kept a pretty steady time. At one point, I lost her and she showed up next to me. She'd "stopped to use the loo" so I commented on missing her. She was encouraging and we walked together the remaining 2 miles. (Jan & Bridget, I really missed you in this race! No ice cream, Bridget... And I certainly walked "like a rock", Jan!)
I got a medal. It's heavy, too!
Along the course. Maria & me, post-finish.
The way I figure it, I really DID walk a total of 13.1 miles, if I add walking to & from the race.
Jill was the last person to finish. She had worried about her knees yesterday and, after she also was picked up by a bus, when she got off, her left knee went a little wonky. She was determined to finish the race and limped in with her husband on one side and me on the other. She had dedicated the race to her sister, Joy, who passed away earlier this year.
Ok, I've tried to eat something but can only take one bite before I semi-choke. THAT's never happened before! I know I need to keep moving today, but I wanted to get this down before things get busy. Students have arrived and we're all meeting a little later today.
Have a fantastic day!
Suzan
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