Being in a real honest-to-goodness race...

[fajrdrako]

I did something I'd never done before: I went into a race. It's Race Weekend in Ottawa. I participated in the Ottawa Family 2k Race - along with about 3,000 other people.

Cool.

I signed up for the race because last year, when meri_oddities ran the Marathon, maaseru signed up for the 2k this year, anticipating an ability to walk because she'd have two new knees. So I did too, in solidarity.

When race time came around, maaseru elected to stay back sitting at Starbuck's while meri_oddities and I walked the course. She's running in the marathon tomorrow; I get to be a spectator. I don't run. I don't even walk very well since breaking my ankle two years ago. But I'm walking better all the time.

It was great. Many little kids, incredibly cute little kids, were walking with families and friends. It wasn't too hot. We walked the 2k course in about 20 minutes. Final time counts aren't posted yet. I'm not sure they even do post them for the 2k race. We crossed the finish line at the 22.12 point, and our personal running times would be a little less than that, since we weren't at the front of the crowd at the starting point.

When we got to the finish, we were given our medals. They were made in Cameroon out of shells and nuts, with the words "Ottawa 2k" on the pendant. It was a project given to a village with no money and high unemployment. I picture the people in the village saying to each other, "They must be crazy over there in Ottawa, but they'll pay us to make these things, so we might as take advantage of them."

Then we met up with laitosto, who was about to run in the 5k race, who told us that maaseru had changed her mind and went in the same race we'd just finished. So we went back to the finish line to cheer her on. She was footsore, but her knees were in terrific shape.

Then after laitosto ran his race, we all went to the Colonnade for pizza.

And I let meri_oddities talk me into signing up for the 5k next year.

My ankle is sore (I'm about to ice it) and my back is aching a little (but only a little) and I'm feeling ambitious. Today the 2k, tomorrow the world.