Friday, July 19, 2024

Running Blind

Cleveburgh is hosting the Pan-American Games this week. 

These are master athletes over the age of, I think, 35. This includes 24 medal contending events such as baseball, tennis, pickleball, archery, bowling, curling (yes, in summer!), various running races and yes, cycling. 

There are other things too. 

Walking Shep, we stumbled upon the cycling. 

A few weeks back, I was asked if I'd be interested in being a guide for a visually impaired runner who wanted to do the 10k.  Oddly, I wanted to do it. I smart enough to ask their goal and pace. No reason for me do it if I couldn't keep up with them. 

Her (yes, a she) pace was fine for me. Slow for me even, but hey - when would I have the chance to run in the Pan-Am games again?  Yeah, I was supposed to see my friends this weekend, but I figured I'd blow them off reschedule.

The intermediary said they'd send her an email saying we had someone. I started to panic as I found out it was a "reduced" fee of $125.  For a fucking 6 mile run. I was assured, as a guide, the fee was waived. 

As it would turn out, neither I or the set-up guy heard back from her. Then it got me thinking: he sent her an email. She's site impaired. How does she know she got an email??

Yes, I'm well aware of programs that tell you and will read them - but just asking the questions was the joke. And it sounds better than I got passed over by Helen Keller. 

I will not be running on Sunday. I will be - but not with the Pan-Am games. 



Song by: Godsmack

3 comments:

James Dwight Williamson said...

Simply amazing, no good deed goes unpunished.

Travel said...

Runners over the age of 35, soon you will be old enough to participate.

Ur-spo said...

good for you for running at all; I admire your perseverance