DL>DNF>DNS

Firstly - kudos to Jimmy the Eye for completing his first 10K race in the 10th annual Big Valley 10k!! His time was a smart 59:09!

I got second place in my women's age category for my time; it was a PR*. It was the first time my 10k time was under an hour in a race and this beautiful course was loaded with hills.


Funny thing is, I also placed last in my age category since there were only 2 of us that ran. That gave me a chuckle and made me think a little about what the silver medal I held at the end stood for. Everyone who ponied up an entrance fee got a t-shirt. Even though I have a policy of not wearing mine until I cross the finish line, I still got the shirt just for entering. Not everyone who entered got a medal nor did every finisher.

I remembered a post from a running message board about a fellow who knew he was probably going to be last in the race he entered. He was dreading being followed the whole route by the ever present ambulance and the course clean up crew. A wise master runner told him that DL* was better than DNF* with is even better than DNS*.

I chose to enter, run and was able to finish. I wasn't dead last, I was stride for stride with Jimmy the Eye right up to the finish line. There were even a few more runners that came in during the next 13 minutes. My medal, I decided, might be for last in my age group of women who finished but well ahead of those who didn't toe the line. I have worked hard to get where I am and I am enjoying the journey.

***
DL = Dead Last
DNF = Did Not Finish
DNS = Did Not Start
PR = Personal Record

September Highlights

Ravenboy and Asrai were able to stay with us through the beginning of September. It was the day that Hurricane Hannah blew through that we had to drive them back to the city. The rainy gray day suited my mood that two bright spots in my life would be going to their own homes.

Maga11 and I finally made it to Belleville to the Amish farmers market and I took some photos of the scenes there.

RGBisMe and I quickly made use of any space second to start organizing and firming up plans for our upcoming letterboxing gathering out in Scotia Barrens. We took our mountain bikes out to explore and map all of the trails that we will be planting letterboxes on. It takes a long time to orient yourself out there even when the sun is shining. Add an overcast day and you might not realize that after hiking and biking for miles that you are just across a pond where you were hours before. I am so grateful for our gps in this mapping project. Not even USGS topo maps have enough detail to know where you are out in Scotia. We are only mapping an area maybe 2.5 miles across and .5 wide but it is easy to lose your way on the many twisting trails. It is all worth it for the beauty and history of the area. We ended up spending the Autumnal Equinox on the trails out there.

Tracdc and Satan were married this past Saturday and the whole posse was together for maybe the most beautiful day this month. Their ceremony was held behind an old inn on a bridge crossing a lovely brook. The temperature was warm and sunny but had just enough chill to the air that the gentlemen felt comfortable in their dress jackets. Toolman Luke looked great in his tux shirt and Maga11's dress made her look lovely. The were picture perfect parents of the bride.

The end of the month has taken an unwanted twist with our dear Miles going into the hospital for a couple of days with FUS. I have word he is coming home this afternoon but will be on a prescription diet for a while and a specialized diet after that. I sat with him for a couple of hours yesterday in the hospital. It was so sad to see our friendliest fellow hooked up to an IV. He wants to come home and we are ready for him. I ask you all put in a good though for his recovery. It's been a rough couple of days for us.