Subject:Finishing DFL in a 5K “Fit Walk” is still all good
Was cruising around at ActiveMSers.com, a site dedicated to people with multiple sclerosis living super active lives (like, you know, triathlons...). I saw this blog post by the forum host, Dave Bexfield, and thought a lot of us could relate. New to a sport, acute injury, chronic injury, trying to recapture the high school/college glory days, having a chronic disease...whatever it is, we might find ourselves writing this someday. Or at least, I hope if I'm in this situation, I will treat it with as much fun - and respect - as Dave did.
Over the weekend I participated in a 5K Fit Walk to help raise money for MS. I got to wear a number, start off with a massive crowd, the whole bit where it seems you are taking part in the Boston Marathon. Only it was Albuquerque. And it wasn’t a marathon or even a race, it was a walk. A noncompetitive walk. And yet a walk that saw me cross the finishing line after an hour and 20 minutes to cheering crowds chanting my name. “Go Dave!” “Woo-hoo Dave, you rock!” ”Dave! Dave! Dave!” All for finishing DFL. Dead F#cking Last.
How did they know my name? Probably because the volunteer course sweepers had to radio in to the finish about some guy and his wife still on the course. And people were probably cheering because they could finally go home now that the final two stragglers had finished, but I digress. Every volunteer I passed, I thanked. And told them I wanted to make sure they earned their volunteer dollars–no getting out of their posts early. When I went past water stations, I requested they hand me the water as if I was screaming by. I’d grab the Pixie cup, take a swig, toss the rest on my face, and huck the cup to the side just like the pros! Only every time I tried to drink, it went down the wrong pipe, and I’d start hacking and gacking. Walking and drinking is not in my repertoire. How the hell do you drink out of a cup when you are running?
Now I do have to admit my performance wasn’t truly DFL worthy. Because the event was so popular, we had to park 1K away (so I ultimately did a 7K walk). I was getting over a miserable cold that had left me blind and stiff as a board just a couple days earlier. And stopping to talk to a number of friends along the way let the pack get away from me. I thought I could make up the ground, but my legs decided to stop participating at about the the 2K mark! Still, with the immense help of trekking poles, I managed to drag my stupid body the full 5K so I could bask in all that is DFL glory. Also know that I DFLed for MSers worldwide. Because the next time you participate in any sport, in any event, you can rest assured that you can do no worse than yours truly. Woo-hoo, go Dave!
Subject:RE: Finishing DFL in a 5K “Fit Walk” is still all good
For the first time, I just finished DFL in my own triathlon
And there are a lot of good things about it! You get to sightsee--mingle with the locals--get the most cheers--know that you got the most race for your buck--have your own police escort bringing up the rear--it's endless! Literally!
Subject:RE: Finishing DFL in a 5K “Fit Walk” is still all good
TriAya - 2009-07-01 8:24 AM For the first time, I just finished DFL in my own triathlon
And there are a lot of good things about it! You get to sightsee--mingle with the locals--get the most cheers--know that you got the most race for your buck--have your own police escort bringing up the rear--it's endless! Literally!
This is a great post! Way to spin it. We're all so afraid of coming in last. You see that person and your heart goes out to them, you cheer loudly trying to encourage them but in the big picture - it's sort of silly. I did a super sprint in Ottawa - it was a small group and I came in 26th out of 29th but the other three were literally nipping at my heels. I was DFL on the bike portion! It doesn't make them any less of an athlete nor me any better. It was a beautiful race, a good experience (first pool swim, riding in wet clothes in cold weather, beautiful fall run) and I don't think I'd feel any differently had I been DFL.
Subject:RE: Finishing DFL in a 5K “Fit Walk” is still all good
I DFLed at my first 12K race last year. And honestly I wasn't "that slow". However it had a 5K counterpart and I guess everyone else did the 5K who would have been behind me. I had a police escort most of the way. Bad part was someone who ran the 5K, finished that and then ran the 12k and still passed me.
All I could do was laugh. I had a part time police car and the other parts it was a police 4 wheeler. All I kep saying to myself was that the people driving by me didn't know if i was in first or last. I was thinking they thought I was first! LOL
Subject:RE: Finishing DFL in a 5K “Fit Walk” is still all good
Go Dave!
I just wanted to add, I tried to go to the site to forward to my friend who has MS and it is activeMSers.org, not com. In case anyone wants to go look.