On Sunday, May 27th my sister ran in my honor in the Vista Strawberry Festival 10K (6.2 miles) Run in San Diego, California. Let’s be honest, having someone do anything in your honor when you are still alive, and kicking is a bit trippy. But I do love her motivation and strength to have kept this up for so many years.
The night before I dedicated the song Ride Like The Wind. By Christopher Cross to her. We blasted it and we danced and sang in her living room like crazy people… Don’t judge, I KNOW you are a part of a family of crazy fun people too! Nothing like dancing and singing like you’re on stage to set the mood!
The run started at 6:45am. My sister, her husband, my niece, and nephew, my son and a couple family friends all spent the night before at her house to get up and out early! We all got up at 3:30am to drive from the Los Angeles area to San Diego. Yep, you read that right, 3:30am! Damn, the friggin birds aren’t even awake at that time. But we arrived safely at 6:30am to pick up her running bib and get registered.
The crowds at these events are funny and random. There are people of all shapes, sizes, athletic ability, backgrounds etc. It’s cool, and hilarious. Some people were wearing costumes and taking pictures with the creepy strawberry mascot. Not me… I draw the line at dancing fruit!
There were vendor booths with all sorts of cool stuff like strawberry kettle corn and funnel cakes to crystals and Buddhas. I bought fresh organic strawberries and blackberries. I ate so many that I had a sugar crash! The healthy eater’s candy!
Events with temporary vendor booths can be tricky for those of us on wheels. I’d suggest that organizers remember us when setting up. Please don’t use curb cutouts for trash cans or storage. I know this isn’t done purposely. But, hiring actual people with disabilities to consult or to explore the set up would be helpful. This can also be a problem for my comrades with limited sight. If they feel the slope of a curb cut out expecting to cross, but run into the pole from a vendor booth it would be easy to trip. Some of those poles are only 2 or 3 inches in diameter and run on a slant. Luckily, from what I saw, it was a little annoying, but no injuries.
Before we knew it, the run started. It took her a little over an hour to finish. I’m so proud of her!
The video below is of us cheering her on at the end of the run…And me yelling for her to “Ride like the wind baby, ride like the wind!”
Her next run is the 1/2 marathon at the end of June!
Love, and Light,
Cr8Ab
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