I’ve pulled out of races two times after entering at the
start and just not feeling like it, but I’ve never been late for a race.
Yesterday I was on time again for my race…or maybe I wasn’t…I didn’t hang
around to find out.
The Slow-Mag Half Marathon started at 6:30 and we left
home, at 05:09. It seems that was probably too late. We
joined the queue of backed-up traffic on the highway at 5:35. We were about 6km
from the race venue and start.
With “we” I mean Anette and I. At first we weren’t phased
by the traffic, but when we realized we were literally moving forward at a “single
car length at a time” pace we started lifting our eyebrows. The talk in the car
became something like this:
Anette: “This is no serious or big race for you is it?”
Me: “no, it’s just a training run. Just me doing another
half marathon. All part of my Num-Num training.
Anette: “Good, so if we maybe don’t get to the start in
time it will be ok…?”
Me: “Yes, I won’t mind missing the race; I’ll just run
21km at home.”
Anette: “Because at this pace we won’t make it.”
Me: “I know, but then we’ll just go find coffee
somewhere.”
Anette: “Mmm…that is almost tempting…”
Me: “Almost…”
We crawled forward at a very slow pace. There were just
too many cars for the roads leading to the venue to handle. I still had to
collect my bib and visit the loo before the start as well. Not making the race
in time was becoming a reality fast.
I was still not upset or sad or anything for that matter.
Missing the race was not going to be a bad thing at all. It will just take me a
bit longer to some year run my 2000th race. I am currently on 1361
races and this race was just another click of the counter.
At some point runners started getting out of cars and ran/jogged
to the start. I knew some people will use the marathon to qualify for Comrades
and for them this was a huge problem. I was lucky I was not one of them. We
crawled forward and the time went passed 06:00. Soon after this people started
turning their cars around and head back home. We stuck around until 06:12.
Me: “There’s no way we can make this.”
Anette: “You wanna run to the start and I park the car?”
Me: “No way, I still need the toilet and get my bib.”
Anette: “So are we going home?”
Me: “No, we are going for coffee!”
With that I turned down the first possible side road and
drove away from the race. I was relieved and happy with my decision. There was
no urgency for me to run this race. It was really just another 21km training run
and another click of the counter.
I decided to head for this place…
For some awesome coffee and great breakfast…
We were happy…very happy actually!
Have a super week everyone!
24 comments:
Looks like you made the great decision!
Coffee and breakfast with the wife over a half-mary any day! :)
What a sweet story! Now imagine your wife were not with you while you were stuck in traffic. That would not be fun at all.
That breakfast pic makes me hungry! :)
Really nice of Anette to offer to drop you off so you could get your stuff. I'm really glad that this was a no pressure race for you so you didn't have to stress about missing the start...especially since there as nothing you could do about it.
Way to make a good situation out of a less good one. :)
Great story,(and what looked like a good breakfast). I especially liked the dialogue.
Sometimes things work out like that, looks like you had a great morning without the race!
you are so awesome. I love this post. Way to roll with it.
I loved this: "Yes, I won’t mind missing the race; I’ll just run 21km at home.” so funny. love it.
I love the relaxed attitude. I'd be such a stress-head in the car when really in the end it doesn't matter and most of the time a race is just the precursor to a nice breakfast. So what does it matter if you forgo the precursor?!
How funny that we had similar race mornings. I cared very much about making my race as it was the half I based my training around. I am doing four halves this spring but this was the one that mattered!
Glad you had a good breakfast!
You are awesome. It's almost time for bed and now I'm craving breakfast!!
im with you johann..go with your flow. besides teckon that brekkie looks awesome :)
Just reading about being in all that traffic, late for the race, was stressing me out - good for you for being so relaxed! Glad you ended up having a nice morning together.
No wonder Ian didn't see you on the road.
He must have got there just before the traffic started. This seems to be happening quite frequently now at the Jhb races.
Glad you had good company and could enjoy breakfast together.
Way to keep a positive attitude and just go with plan B. :-)
Honestly, one of the greatest posts EVER! Hilarious.
What I find even more awesome is that you are THAT close to 2,000 races?! unbelievable!
Keep up the great work man!
Like you said, it was a fabulous breakfast run! : )
I think this woman Annette has done wonders for you, Johann :)
2000 races? That's just unfathomable to me. Some day. I will need to pick up my pace though!
It was a great decision and thanks to it you have spent wonderful time with your wife in a beautiful place.
Long time ago I arrived 3 minutes late at the start and it was a great race. What a wonderful experience to smoke step by step many runners!
Wow, that's some crazy race traffic!
Amazing how you've almost done 1500 races...!
Sounds like you made the right decision! The smiles say it all....
Ag hoe lekkerrrrr!!**
What a wonderful story. I've been late to a race -- had to run to the finish line, toilet in the bushes on the way -- not fun. I should have done what you did! Breakfast. : )) I really enjoyed the picture of your breakfast. I love, love, love seeing what other people around the world eat for specific meals. In California, USA, our breakfast potatoes are usually shredded or cubed. And I've never had a slice of cheese with my breakfast toast (though I would love it), nor ever in my life have I been served a tomato on my breakfast plate. Love it! Also looks like something other than ketchup on the potatoes. Here it's ketchup or salsa all the way. Thanks for sharing.
LOL. I meant "had to run to THE START LINE."
Great post and an example of making a positive when the situation is out of your control. Good decision and breakfast looks really good.
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