I have had no desire to run this past month and no extra energy to force it. Between chronic crisises and a cold virus this week, I was strongly leaning toward bailing on this race. But my son said "mum, you would just tell me to go do my best; so go do the best you can do today - and if you walk or stop, it's doesn’t matter. The time is not that important"

So off I drove on the slippery roads to get to Jo's careening all over on the way, to find that she is still in her PJ's and she tells me she is not racing (yeah, only joking she said - while I had quick, lovely visions of coffee and muffin instead of a cold wet race!!). John drops us off, we thinking we are actually pretty organized, determined this time to not start in a panic. Casually getting our gear set up and notice there are lots of volunteers around, but not many runners. Figured we were in the wrong tent, so I asked one of the women there and she replied “Oh, they are gone.” GONE???? WHAT DO YOU MEAN GONE??? Well, I guess I had just got in my head somewhere along the line that this race started at 8:30, and never thought to actually check this!!! Thank God it was Jo I was with, so we burst out laughing and gave very serious consideration to skipping the run all together and going for a coffee and chat. But upon discovering we had no money, we decided we’d begin and see what happened.

Well neither of us have EVER had a run partner – and yet we ran perfectly in sync. It was wonderful to simply enjoy the run, the company and watch Jo do snow dances and play the air guitar as we ran. I thought near the end that I had never been so comfortable in a race before – well considering I stayed at 70% heart rate the for almost all of the “race” – I guess that explains it. We kicked it up just a notch for the last three km, and crossed hand in hand.

This ‘race’ was the most special event I have done – because I ran with Jo and I know in my soul that despite all the hell of these past months – I am rich with family and friends, and that I know I won’t lose that.



Nothing, if we had showed up on time the whole event would have been different.

Joined Jo's husband John and Grant (Shrike) for hugs, snacks and a chat. Grant had run a great race and stuck around in the miserable weather to cheer us on at the finish - thanks. :)


Not having the drive/desire to work harder right now.


Definitely do it again.