Cadbury Marathon running festival

 

Cadbury Marathon: 10kays.

 

They have changed the start time to 9:15a.m. That’s bad. Much worse running in the heat. Got to come up with a plan. A way of coping.

 

Before the race. I drink water. Water over hair and bib.

I bump into a familiar face.

He says: Thought you were a sprinter.

From memory I said something like: Sometimes I pretend to sprint. Today I am going to pretend to run 10 kays.

In the milling crowd a scared possum then bumps into me.

 

The crowd walks, shuffles then jogs. When I cross the bump in the road my race begins. Where is the first drink table? I stop, drink water and pour water into my hair and bib. I am not taking any chances.

 

Half way. Turn around and push hard. With most races the hard bit, mentally, is the bit after half way, The third quarter.

This run is dragging. It’s hot and hard. Not enjoying this at all. Got to plug on. Keep moving those legs. This race is different. It’s too hot and today the hard bit is the last quarter. The hill at Cadbury’s.  

Just have to cross that finish line. Then I can lie down and recover.

I mount the top of the hill. Can see the finish line. My legs can’t. They decide to think for themselves. I can’t control my legs. Got to somehow finish this race.  My legs take me off the road. Onto the grass. Through a group of females. I trip over the grass and fall onto the ground. I pick myself up.

A guy wearing an official vest says: Sit down. Now drink some water.

I tell him: Just got to finish.

He says: Sit down. You are not going anywhere.

I say: Just got to finish.

He says: Sit down. I can stop you. You are not going anywhere.

I shut up.

I drink some water.

Melissa appears.

I rise to my knees and look at the finish line.

I keep on saying: All I have to do is cross the finish line.

They eventually hear me and say: We will walk with you across the line.

We cross the finish line together. For walking 50 meters Melissa is given a medal which she gives back. The official vest guy leds me to a tent.

I lie down on a camp bed. They prod, pock and take blood. They keep on saying to themselves: Looks alright.

I ask them their names. I have the funny habit of wanting to know the name of someone taking blood from me.

The guys keep on saying: Lie there. Rest. Looks alright. Drink this.

I ask for the results. He tells me everything.

They finally let me depart. 

Melissa holds me up and takes me to the tennis courts.

Melissa says: Saw a guy collapse. He looked worse than you.

I think: Thank God for that. Someone looked worse than me.

I realise I have missed out on chocolate.

We met Wendy. Wendy says: You steamed past us. You were going well. I introduce her to Melissa and say the wrong name. Sorry Wendy. I complain to her about the start time. I complain to everybody who will listen about the start time. On such a hot day way too late.

 

I lie at the tennis clubhouse while Melissa fetches her car.

 

Back home, my medal disappears amongst others, and I check my heart rate and temp. Back to normal. I then enjoy an ice-cream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bikes and Spikes

 Windy. Could be worse. Could be better. Wouldn’t like to be a cyclist. This wind is dangerous.

Ah well. Accept the wind. Play with the cards I have been given.

 

100m: Search for a line telling me where to start. I am the front marker. I crouch and listen. I start running. Big strides. Lift knees. Swing arms. Run fast.

I hear shoes slapping the ground, heavy breathing. Then I get swallowed up and spat out by a group of fast runners. I burst through the finish line watching the backs of all the other runners.

I did my best. That’s all I can do.

My legs feel good.

At least you had a go.

You beat the people sitting.

I then hear that all the bike races have been cancelled due to the wind. Fair enough. Safety has to come first.

 

Now my plan is. Go home. Relax. Relax my mind. I can do that by listening to the cricket.

I arrive home. Eat a big lunch; then lie down and listen to the cricket on the radio. I am not moving until I go back.

 

300m: I grab my bib and walk up and down the track. I have a close look at the track. I am going to sprint as fast as possible to the first blue flag, and then the second blue flag. I lean and rub the flag. It is my flag. Put there for me.

The perfect way to run is to sit one out and one back and to pass everybody the top of the straight. The Ralph Doubell way. The dramatic and heroic way.

Today the handicapper tells me I can’t do that. I go with Plan B. Plan B is start fast. Cut the thread that connects me to the pack of hounds chasing me. Then try and hold on.

The gun goes and I sprint like I stole something. Burst past the first blue flag. Now go for the second one. Legs high. Swing arms big. Breath big. That’s it the second flag. Ah well might as well keep going. I plug on.

Silence behind me. I listen to the commentator. I hear him say: Looks like he is going to hold on. I stumble across the finish line. I have won.

I shake every hand I can see. My daughter comes across with some water. She shepherds me towards a sash.

We have a few attempts at putting it on. Didn’t practice that. Eventually it is on.

I mumble into a microphone. Hope I didn’t say the wrong thing. Hope I thanked all the runners. They all won. They helped me own my brain. I win when I control my brain.

Time for more photos.

I arrive home. Two races. One last and one first. When I came first everybody spoke to me. When I came last I was invisible. In both races I managed to learn a bit about taking control of my damaged brain. To me I won in both races. Time to listen to the cricket.

 

 

Secret Santa

 Christmas Morning.

Walk down the bike track.

A young kid learning how to ride a new bike. His dad says Merry Christmas.

A teenage kid races past on his new bike. Without his dad.

Most couples we see say: Merry Christmas.

Back to our spotlessly clean and quiet house.

Don’t touch.

I’m hungry.

If you want something to eat then eat the nuts.

When are they going to get here?

Secret Santa dumps his presents.

Two of the young grandkids play Bingo.

Christmas Morning.

Walk down the bike track.

A young kid learning how to ride a new bike. His dad says Merry Christmas.

A teenage kid races past on his new bike. Without his dad.

Most couples we see say: Merry Christmas.

Back to our spotlessly clean and quiet house.

Don’t touch.

I’m hungry.

If you want something to eat then eat the nuts.

When are they going to get here?

Secret Santa dumps his presents.

Two of the young grandkids play Bingo.

Numbers randomly appear. Each number has a few words and a present attached to it.

 

1       Hop to it

2       What time do you start work?

3       Funniest person in the family.

4       At home

5       Jane

6       Please don’t take my man.

7       Lady Di

8       Have you sailed from Sydney to Hobart?

10     Row, row your boat

11     Born again

12     Anne drew a picture.

13     Retired old fart.

14     Pumpkin eater

15     Say Grace

 

Why is there so much food?

I’ve had enough to eat.

I’m full.

Where are my sunglasses?

The pool in the backyard beckons.

Splash, screams. One kid gets the hose.

This is going to end in tears.

Backyard golf. Don’t hit it so hard.

  

Sit around. Calm. Relaxed.

Paper for word of the year and good things about 2024.

I’ll think about it.

Where is my phone?

Where are my car keys?

                                            2024 was good because: 

                                            Word of the year 2024:

                                            2025 will be good: 

Can I access his heart?

 Can I access his heart?

Time to start.

Two days a week.

Is all I seek.

 

A moment of glee.

Playing together he and she

In love.  Honest and open.

They became one.

What glorious fun

He and his wife

Created new life

That will live forever.

 

A real live person

Their eldest son

began to live with them.

A running, jumping, laughing gem.

Then before rooms of lawyers

Prove you love your son.

A toy train and a football.

A smelling dirty nappy.

He gazes at his sleeping son

He weeps and wails.

Why has he failed?

Why is Bruce his best friend forever?

Why does he love tomato sauce with mushy peas?

Why is green his favourite colour?

Why does he brush his hair that way?

Why does he want to read his favourite book again?

and again and again.

 

Dancing Barista

 

Nice day today. How you going?

Today’s home-made  cake and cream.

Carrot cake. Full of pleasure.

Take a seat. Enjoy the usual at your leisure.

Theresa dreams big and beams.

The smell of fresh roasted  beans.

Drops of rich dark liquid magic

Drip and fill a waiting cup.

Full of bliss. Kiss and sup.

Bubbles of joy float up and up.

Stand up and let’s spread some joy.

Come on hold my hand. Dance with me.

Swing, twist and turn. Come on let’s

dance on the table. Let’s spin and burn.

Thump and bump. Wack and smack.

You can join in. It’s fun. Whoops.  

Let’s make

Coffee and cake.

Full of joy.

Let’s enjoy.

Morning tea

Fills me with glee.

Morning tea

Fills me with glee.

Everyone has to have a want.

Everybody has to have a want.

That’s all I can say

I dream of the day.

The ducks line up.

I just wanna watch and wait

For my numbers to come out.

Backflip and shout.

That’s all I can say.

 

A red and white weatherboard house.

For me and my one and only spouse.

A garage for me and my tools.

They are my precious jewels.

Smell the BBQ    on the deck.

Mulberries fall mulberries wreck

the freshly mowed and trimmed lawn.

Roses smile for me at dawn.

 

Play footy with my mates.

We all control our fates.

Handpassing, yelling, tackling.

All our knees and heads are crackling

shepherding and kicking.

We’re all together clicking.

In the grand final. BOG.

Sing the team song. Sing with glee.

 

Heads turn and follow my car.

Honing across the sizzling tar.

The latest model in our town.

With the roof pulled all the way down.

It’s crimson candy red.

It’s turning each and every head.

I give them loud music blaring.

Watch them all green and staring.

 

That’s all I can say

Hey, hey, hey

Vancouver: last day

Vancouver.

Aimless walking around Vancouver.

Stanley Park is a 400 hectare Park on a peninsular in the middle of Vancouver. It is a green oasis of natural rainforest within walking distance of our centrally located hotel.

Vancouver: Grouse Mountain

 Grouse Mountain cable car.

We entered the cable car at the bottom on a nice sunny day. No sign of snow or ice. The cable car was full of people carrying skis and snowboards. At the top, we saw some beautiful looking snow and a cafe. We took the café. Our waiter was from NZ. A waitress came and wanted to talk to us. She was from the Gold Coast. The first Aussie we had seen for weeks. Apparently, this is where young backpackers go for work. The snowy mountainous areas of the west coast.

Seek the Peek. 16kays: 1400m elevation: running race. We saw an ad for this coming race. 

Vancouver: Capilano Suspension Bridge

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Capilano Suspension Bridge crosses towering evergreens.

The cliffwalk follows a granite precipice above the Capilano River with a series of cantilevered bridges, stairs and platforms held by 16 anchor points into the cliff.

 

Toronto to Vancouver

  Fly back to Vancouver over the Rockies.