Mom's Wedding

It has been a pretty eventful off season--not the way I like it, honestly. This week I did the unthinkable, not sure what got into me...I can't even type it since it is a memory I am trying to suppress. But here it goes: I ran a 3K.

Crickets.

I know. I made an appearance at the Nike Runner's lounge, and it was a good turn out. I have gone there many times before but this was my first time racing the loop in downtown Toronto.

And three days later why does everything still hurt so bad? And is there anything else to think about besides "Can we stop!". I have even contemplated eating epsom salt w/ crushed ice, since soaking in both has not dulled the pain. Help me.

Admittedly I wasn't going Tirunesh Dibaba or Meseret Defar pace, more like Oprah's Marathon pace. Yes I know....but it still hurt. Many predicated a time of 15 minutes, "at most 20" for myself. Thanks people, because I crawled home in a record setting (not the celebrated kind) of "27:something" minutes".

Yawn.

In related news I'll be at the Human Race on October 24, but based on my newly set 3k Personal Best, I'll leave the 10k to the rest of the world.

It's a great event with a lot of energy around it and is an opprtunity to race yourself and race the world.

Click here for all the info. As well as here and don't forget to register for your city, Let's go T.O and hope to see you there!

P

And the winner is...

Unfortunately not my choice city Tokyo, which had me disappointed and writhing on my couch as I watched CNN. "You're a LIAR Tony Harris--A LIAR!!". As the BF looked on, no doubt wondering how he hooked up with an enigma. Sigh, Tony was indeed truth telling.

I was surprised to see Chicago out early, and I felt bad for some of my friends who purposefully did not sell their homes expecting Chicago might win and their property values may go up.

When it came down to Madrid and Rio I was convinced that Rio was not supposed to win.

1. Because Madrid lost the 2012 bid to London and how dare the IOC have them shortlisted only to deny them again. It's like playing a cruel game with an ex lover who you know still loves you, but you don't love them back...blah blah blah.

You know you've done it.

2. Because my experience at the 2007 Pan Am games was an okay one, but I was appalled at the way the Brazilian spectators conducted themselves during competition. My observations were spectators that were rude to their guests by heckling and booing. They held no regard or awareness of when to be silent and respectful as events would begin or athletes announced.

3. The officials for Athletics seemed very inexperienced, shooting the gun when not all athletes were settled. Not asking the somewhat obnoxious crowd to be quiet where appropriate. I was given an unnecessary false start, when the set commands were way too long. Before "set" there was a loud clanking sound from the stands that mimicked the gun. Again fans were extremely loud and I raised my hands in my blocks to get the starter's attention. My fingers could no longer support my body's weight in the set position and I had to protest the obvious: "Hello?! these are not the ideal starting conditions of a world class event. Reset please". Instead the retort was a man in my face with a yellow card, the sign that the field was charged the penalty.

"Hell if we care what you're used too, now get your tail in the blocks. This is how we do in Brazil, if you don't like it take it to Germany".

I gasped at the ineptitude and was furious, what a gong show. It even seemed like the crowd got even louder. "Argghh". But I'll tell ya what, I got the yellow memo and dipped my tail into them blocks....two time!.

Hopefully in 7 years Rio can teach its citizens how to respectfully host the world. It's a long way from now so plenty of time for them to learn. All that being said I am happy to see the Olympic games on the South American continent for the first time, Congratulations. I have no clue if I will be in Rio, I suspect I won't. But if I am I dare buddy my friend to flash a yellow card in my face...tree time!