How Did I Get Here?

Saturday

Do you know how sick I am?

I love going to an marathon expo. It’s like a toy store for me and I could wander the aisle for hours and often do. I drive everyone nuts because I don’t really buy stuff all that often, I just wander over and over. The people in the booths must think I’m the creepiest creep alive.

Today was a great day because I was able to attend the Carlsbad Marathon expo, especially considering I missed out on the Phoenix Marathon expo because when you get down to it, I’m basically an idiot. I miscalculated the travel time and missed out.

I met up with the base running team and after getting lost (Chrissy SAID she knew the way but you know what? Wasn’t where she thought, so… up and down I-5 we went and after a few desperate phonecalls to Killjoy and some others) we found the place.

Sidenote: Killjoy is my 411. If I need something looked up on the computer, she is the one I call and if luck would have it and she answers her phone AND is at the computer AND I haven’t pissed her off lately, she will get me the info, 24-style. It’s the closest I ever feel like Jack Baur.

So, we find the place and I get into the queue to get all my stuff. No, not that kind of “stuff” you pervs, racing stuff.

First, you get in the line and get your bib. Then the chip for your shoe which you take over to some contraption that turns it on (I think it electronically talks dirty to it). Then they route you to get your shirt which I contend you shouldn’t wear until AFTER the race because you haven’t earned it until then.

Then comes the rest of your goody bag that contains all kinds of crap like samples of lube, gels, energy bars, and inevitably fliers for approximately 68,000 other races you can sign up for.

Now the touring begins and I grab as many free samples and crapola I can fit in my oversized bag that I will likely either give to my kids or trash. But the thrill is in the hunt, people.

Expo is also an opportunity to people-watch. It’s like no other crowd you will ever see in normal everyday society. Everyone you see is a bit thinner or at least in better shape than the average person you see in a mall. And they (we) all have this pent up energy as a result of all the training and anticipation of the race tomorrow. We are among hundreds of “our own kind” and are happy to be there.

Also, we are all drinking water or the free sports drink that they normally give away. We are dressed in running clothes. We have no problem talking openly about lubing nether-regions, urinary and bowel strategies leading up to and during the race, or nipple guards.

And we are all a bit nervous. Tomorrow, all this work gets examined. Did I do enough? Am I ready? Will I race good or have a day that makes the good days good?

12 hours and I’ll know.

Free Advice for Today: “Resist telling people how something should be done. Instead, tell them what needs to be done. They will surprise you with creative solutions.”