My weekend – In case you missed it!
My sister was town this weekend for Race for Hope! Saturday was a luncheon for David Cook (of American Idol season fame)’s team. My sister volunteered at the lunch and I attended, but I helped volunteer too since one of my friends now works for the cancer society that puts on the race.
The lunch had ~240 people attend and Dave made time to meet and greet everyone. When it was finally my turn I had him sign my bib (he signed my LA marathon one too). I told him I ran LA with him and he asked about my time, he was impressed. He talked about how he hit has wall at mile 17 and walked the last 9. We chatted a bit about running and somehow I wasn’t tongue tied. Dave didn’t rush anyone and he seemed genuinely interested in talking to everyone. We got an awesome picture together (see above). I also talked to his manager about the marathon since she ran too.
A bit later they gave Dave a break from signing and my sister was able to go up to him (the signing was in a separate area from where the lunch was) and tell him she has been there to volunteer and that she liked his new song. He shook her hand and asked her name, so he could thank her by name. My sister who is not easily impressed seemed pretty taken aback by Dave’s humble awesomeness.
Soon after this happened the team gathered for a picture, they have all the people in the lunchroom gather first, I made a comment outloud to the 10 or so of us in the side room (including Dave) that getting these women to gather for a picture was like herding cats. Well that CRACKED Dave up. He was like “herding cats! I’ve never heard that, that’s perfect.” I ended up only one person away from Dave in the team pic and as the group went back to their tables Dave laughed and said herding cats agains to himself. HE THINKS IM FUNNY.
Dave was super gracious and even though the event was from 11:30-2:30pm, he stayed until 5 to make sure everyone who wanted to meet him got too.
I actually had to head out of the luncheon with my sister around 3pm because we rented bikes to go out on the Mount Vernon Trail. I haven’t been in public on a bike in a decade. It was TERRIFYING. I screamed or screeched for most of the first 5 miles. Thankfully the 5 miles back I was more confident. But damn for a path I know well from running it, you could REALLY feel the hills on the bike. I really did enjoy the ride and reeeeeaaallly want a real bike. My sister said they rentals were crummy and I would have a better experience on a real bike.
Sunday was the Race for Hope. Despite not doing any speedwork since February I came in at 28:51 (official time). I was pleased, I had hoped for a sub 30, but my PR is 26:28. I actually saw and passed Dave on the course. I ran beside him for a few yards and told him to eat my dust with a laugh. Race for Hope is such a well organized race, it was my first race ever and will always have a special place in my heart. Our team (well Dave’s team) was the top fundraiser with $85,000 and growing.
It was such a special weekend that is makes the horrid insanity at work these days much for bearable. I’m actually working from home today because I needed a mental health break.
If you ever want to join me at the Race for Hope 5K in DC – next year’s will be May 4th. It’s such a great race, great course, great cause and I’ve met great people through it.
