Jedi, Awards, Nap, Dinner, The Next Day, and Sinking In

There are so many things that I forgot.  Reading the Squirrel's blog gave my memory a bit of a jolt.  Ann gave me the best neck massage.  She reminded me that she had lots of practice; the Jedi's neck was a wreck for almost a year.

Oh, and I also had a pretty bad pain in the upper part of my left calf.  I have a really tangled mess of veins there.  I think that had something to do with the issue.  It made it so that I couldn't bend/lift that leg all the way in the last 10 or so miles.  Not that big of a deal, but it did make me fall once and almost fall lots of other times.

OK, back to the finish.  Helen, the wonderful, revered race director brought around some grilled chicken.  I took a piece.  It was practically an entire quarter.  I pulled off the wind and skin, then gave the rest to Rick.  I wasn't super hungry, but thought I should eat something.  Where was Mindy when this was passed around?  Where was Pete?  Maybe changing?

Ann drove in our Rav.  That meant George was on his way!  I was so psyched that we actually got to see his finish.  I've always felt a little guilty that we left Virgil and TARC before his finish.  Yeah, we were cold and tired, but that seemed like a weak excuse.  Lots of cheering.  Some hugs.  Then changing of clothes.  Ahhhh...

Back around the fire waiting for the final finishers and then the awards, Mindy and I started recounting the trail.  Were we already sounding like it wasn't the last 100?  Yeah, I'm pretty sure we weren't cured.

The awards ceremony, which included a brunch, wasn't till 1pm.  We hadn't bought the guys or film crew tickets (runners automatically got them), but Helen took pity on them and soon the entire crew was together.  Less than three very much. 

So, I had thought that S&S wouldn't need any pacers.  Need is an interesting word.  Do I think we still could have finished.  Yes, probably, maybe.   But.  Pete jumped in at the perfect time.  He was positive and encouraging.  He didn't let our resistance put a damper on his enthusiasm.  It was even perfect that we had a leg between the pacers because we got to prove we could to ourselves put the peddle to the metal.  When Rick joined us, I was happy to know we'd have a semi-awake person who loves us guiding us in. 

The brunch was probably more yummy than I cared to find out.  I just wasn't as in to eating as I thought I'd be.  I wanted the buckle.  They did the awards first.  When they gave out the over 50 award for the men, I suspected I might win the women's.  They called out the Squirrel for 3rd!  She was almost not going up; in shock and protesting that we finished together.  I know we come up with an order for the ties when we time.  I was fine with it.  I was more than fine.  YAY!!! Squirrel!!!  Well, then they called the person who was first in the over 50.  Shit.  Really.  Bear Bell Woman was over 50???  I would have guess 38-42.  The Canadians are well preserved!  The interesting thing is that she was actually 3rd woman by a lot.  I guess they give better prizes for first in the over 50 than for 3rd overall. 

On the way home, I was somehow given rights to first shower!!!  I did not protest at all.  Then it was naps all around. 

So the title isn't right.  I give.  There will be another post to cover the rest.