Firstly, an apology. I have lost my voice, can't speak above a whisper. So for anyone thinking I would be calling this weekend, I am sorry. there is no voice with which to speak.There are so many people I should be speaking with and well, can't. Hopefully this will suffice until I'm back on track with a little more time on my hands...
Perley Rideau 5 km
it was a bit chilly in the morning, but we awoke. Michael was suffering from a bit of pre race jitters (mostly in the form of being an ass). We left late (which did wonders for my pre race jitters and my pre race routine). Ok- but we got there, met up with Claudia, warmed up a little. It was pretty small so there were no lines for porta potties or anything.
and we were off. I think i ran pretty steadily for the whole race, Michael passed me at about 2 km and was a couple of paces ahead of me for the rest of the way. I was coughing and spitting and well, a lovely mess. A couple of times I had to stop to just get rid of what was coming up (nice image- sorry). one woman stopped (how sweet!) and asked me if i was ok. I pointed at michael and whispered (no voice- remember?) i'm sick-"that's my roomate, this is his first race and he smokes i have to beat him". she smiled quite sweetly and said "go get him". in the end i finished 30 seconds behind Michael (29:26 - 2 minutes slower than my year's best! but, as my sweetie pointed out, "that's the virus talking"). I saw him finish and felt very proud.
Ms. C had a rough race, as did a lot of people. I think at this time of year people are feeling the results of overtraining and 6 months of racing. She looked amazing when she finished (she always looks good).
I met the young woman who spoke with me -her name is Lori- she told me I had been her inspiration and she just stuck to my tail the whole time. I checked the stats and boy did she! Lori finished at 29:28! anyway she's going to be at Rattle Me Bones next month doing the 10 km. As will Claudia, myself and... Michael! I figure on the longer stretches and if I'm not sick I can take him.
AIDS Walk For Life
Of course I ended up going to the AIDS Walk later that day. Michael's now on the board of a great local organization that walking in it as a group. Somehow, I ended up being filmed lighting candles and later walking while holding the banner for the Pink Triangle Society (how do I end up holding the banner?) so I manged to make my outing in Ottawa complete. First Ed Broadbent and then 11 pm news watchers in the greater Ottawa area.
The number and diversity of groups present was amazing: church groups, a Native Health centre, Planned Parenthood, the Nancy Sinatras (I would have walked with them, but the Pink Triangles reminded me that I wasn't a drag queen- just my luck) and the MAC contingent: Makeup Artists against AIDS (they all looked fantastic). It really brought home the message that AIDS is now an issue outside of any single community and affects us all. I took some pictures of the St. John's Church members who were marching under the banner "Our Church Has AIDS". I thought that was a really brave message to march with and hope that the African churches can take the lead of such brave Christians.
I met some cool people, although communication was very difficult (I can't speak!) here's the link if you'd like to check out the Pink Triangle Society's website http://www.pinktriangle.org/pts_site/Eng/welcome.html
... that's all. I have a lot of work to do today so I should run off.
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