Here's an entry I posted last September on the Gotham City Networking Blog page:
"This past Saturday, my friend and I planned to run the semi-infamous 10K road race together. We don’t see each other often enough and race days are always a good way for us to “catch up.”
We figured between the drive from Roslyn to Northport (and back), and the hanging around before and after the race, we’d have ample time to find out what we’ve been missing in each other’s lives.
I sent my friend an email the night before the race, explaining that she would need to be at my house by 6:45 a.m. in order to make the shuttle bus from Northport High School to the start of the race. According to the directions, the shuttle ceases to run at 7:45 a.m. so that the Village can fully close the roads in preparation for the race.
I woke up extra early, eager and excited for the race. My adrenaline seemed already to be kicking in and I had not even left my house. At 6:45 a.m., my friend had not arrived. 6:50 ticked by and so did 6:55. I decided to call her cell phone. The call went directly to voice mail. I tried that several more times, at least once leaving her a frantic message, “Where are you?!”
At 7:05 a.m. I decided it was late enough to call her house phone. Her husband answered. I tried to be polite, said good morning and all that, and oh, so sorry to call so early, but where is your wife?!
He said with dread in his voice, “Oh no, she is right here... Is the race today?”
She thought the race was to be held on Sunday. No. Not Sunday, Saturday.
A few moments later I hung up and looked at the time (which was ticking by with each moment I stood on my driveway and contemplated driving out to the race alone and at this point rushing to make it on time). Race time was at 8:30 a.m.
7:10 a.m. I decided to get in my car and give it a try. I broke the law, driving excessive speeds with the hope that I’d make it to the High School before 7:45 a.m.
Everything was going smoothly until I came upon a one-lane road backed up for 4 miles. You see, there were latecomers like me, all heading to the same shuttle bus.
It took me 30 minutes to drive those 4 miles. I arrived at the High School parking lot at 8:05 a.m. I was thrilled to see giant yellow school buses still arriving to transport runners to the starting line.
I parked my car on the grass (another illegal move) and ran to the bus with my iPod and car keys in hand. Upon reaching the starting area, I still had to pick up my number and free t-shirt, pin on the number and rush to the bathroom.
The starting gun went off and I was not yet in with my “wave” of runners. But that’s okay. I made it in time to start with my group.
I ran and ran and loved every minute of it. Except for maybe part of mile 5.
It was a beautiful morning and an amazing race. I felt lucky to be there."
"This past Saturday, my friend and I planned to run the semi-infamous 10K road race together. We don’t see each other often enough and race days are always a good way for us to “catch up.”
We figured between the drive from Roslyn to Northport (and back), and the hanging around before and after the race, we’d have ample time to find out what we’ve been missing in each other’s lives.
I sent my friend an email the night before the race, explaining that she would need to be at my house by 6:45 a.m. in order to make the shuttle bus from Northport High School to the start of the race. According to the directions, the shuttle ceases to run at 7:45 a.m. so that the Village can fully close the roads in preparation for the race.
I woke up extra early, eager and excited for the race. My adrenaline seemed already to be kicking in and I had not even left my house. At 6:45 a.m., my friend had not arrived. 6:50 ticked by and so did 6:55. I decided to call her cell phone. The call went directly to voice mail. I tried that several more times, at least once leaving her a frantic message, “Where are you?!”
At 7:05 a.m. I decided it was late enough to call her house phone. Her husband answered. I tried to be polite, said good morning and all that, and oh, so sorry to call so early, but where is your wife?!
He said with dread in his voice, “Oh no, she is right here... Is the race today?”
She thought the race was to be held on Sunday. No. Not Sunday, Saturday.
A few moments later I hung up and looked at the time (which was ticking by with each moment I stood on my driveway and contemplated driving out to the race alone and at this point rushing to make it on time). Race time was at 8:30 a.m.
7:10 a.m. I decided to get in my car and give it a try. I broke the law, driving excessive speeds with the hope that I’d make it to the High School before 7:45 a.m.
Everything was going smoothly until I came upon a one-lane road backed up for 4 miles. You see, there were latecomers like me, all heading to the same shuttle bus.
It took me 30 minutes to drive those 4 miles. I arrived at the High School parking lot at 8:05 a.m. I was thrilled to see giant yellow school buses still arriving to transport runners to the starting line.
I parked my car on the grass (another illegal move) and ran to the bus with my iPod and car keys in hand. Upon reaching the starting area, I still had to pick up my number and free t-shirt, pin on the number and rush to the bathroom.
The starting gun went off and I was not yet in with my “wave” of runners. But that’s okay. I made it in time to start with my group.
I ran and ran and loved every minute of it. Except for maybe part of mile 5.
It was a beautiful morning and an amazing race. I felt lucky to be there."
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