A few days ago I alluded to my sudden and random pain on the ride side of my body. I wanted to close my eyes and pretend it was a dream. I didn’t write about my decision to sell my 10K bib for Woody’s because I was annoyed and felt ridiculous. I mean who wakes up randomly on a Tuesday to random injury?
You know I have been running solid lately and I even squeezed in a 30K road race. Everything was going peachy. Well maybe not that spill I took on Moose Mountain two weeks ago. Still I felt invincible and ready to take on this 10K race. When I attempted this darn race in 2013, I managed to pull my first DNF. I know a DNF on a 10K is ridiculous right? I wasn’t expecting or gunning to run a PR but I wanted to run solid without a fear of failure/injury clouding my mindset.
I posted my bib for sale on Thursday after a few emergency appointments with my medical team. The 10K bib is a hot ticket and I had no trouble getting rid of my bib. I was disappointed but I know there will always be another race.
On Friday I answered the last-minute call for volunteers for the 28K/34K water station. I thought what the heck. I didn’t know anyone running the marathon (save for Amanda) so I wouldn’t have to answer a million questions about why I wasn’t running or see anyone I didn’t want to see. Besides I know I would just be at home curled up in a ball crying about my miserable life. (Not really but it sounds dramatic, right?)
Karen jumped at the chance to volunteer too. We manned the station with a lovely mother/daughter team from Lacombe and two others from Red Deer. Lori stopped by for a bit and brought us coffee. It was a long, soggy, wet haul but it was so much fun. We gave out water, gels, Gatorade, hot pockets, hot tea and hugs.
One of the volunteers kept saying she hated running, which I found quite funny. But I think by the end of our shift, she may have been convinced to try the Troubled Monk 5K in June.
Thankfully Karen has connections. She arranged for a tent to cover the station. Otherwise I think we would have melted. Thank you Atco Gas! It was a tiring day. Karen and I joked that we felt like we ran the marathon. (She actually ran the last 8K of the marathon with a friend and I did a few short (pain-free) sprints to check on runners.) On my part I was so darn dehydrated. But that didn’t stop us from watching some hockey at the Centrium.
Volunteering, although last-minute, was a wonderful experience. I’d like to lend a hand at more races but lately something always seems to conflict with my schedule so I am happy that I had a chance this time. It kept my mind off my disappointment and I witnessed some passionate, determined and inspiring runners. Gosh it was a soggy mess in Red Deer on Sunday.
My hat is off to all those runners who didn’t let a little rain stand in their way. Bravo.
I really enjoy volunteering at races but need to get one on my calendar soon! I appreciate what they do and it’s a great way to give back to the running community. Sorry you weren’t able to complete the 10K!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…King of Prussia 10 Miler Race Recap
Good for you for turning a negative into a positive by volunteering! So have you figured out what the pain in your side was?
I had to DNS a race a few years ago, and while it was too late for me to sign up to volunteer, I went to spectate and had a great time!!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Running Free
I hope you are getting better. I’d be upset having to sell my bib too. But, you managed to turn it around and make it positive. I have yet to volunteer for a race, but I want to at some point., to give back, since I always appreciate the volunteers who put in time at races, especially the really cold winter ones.