WHERE IN THE WORLD IS JAN?

That was my question as the local triathlon yesterday. I had opted out of the race because its one of those local races that gets bigger every year, and with 1500 people entered, you can imagine the chaos. Last year I decided would be my last. Too much of a mess. And I was tired, tired, tired from my long and busy month of August. But I had said I would do my run over to the race that morning and watch her finish. The race venue is almost in my back yard.

When I got there, I realized I had miscalculated the starting time by one-half hour, so it was likely she could already be out on the run. I pretty much figured she would be in one of the last waves, based on age, but when I ran into a friend in the 45-49 age group, she said her wave was second! So then I really did not know.

But I dutifully watched and waited, looking around for her husband at the finish, but unable to pick him out of the crowd. And so I watched and waited longer, until it was clear she had either finished or dropped out or maybe hadn't come at all. I headed back home and throughout the day checked for results (I could have called her but duh, I just didn't think of it!). The website said they would be up by 4 that day.

So I went for a bike ride with Chiarunner. We had a nice 28+ mile ride. Got home, checked for results again, still nothing. By now, it was after 5 pm. Did some more laundry, made dinner, was just about done eating and the phone rang. It was Jan. "Hey did you do the race today? I didn't see you." "Yes, but..."

But she had a bike crash and was calling from the hospital! I pretty much freaked out when I found out. Her injuries include a broken clavical, two breaks, concussion, road rash with gravel still embedded in her palm, and other numerous bumps, scrapes, etc. And here's what's so freaky about it. Her crash was almost in the exact spot where I was hit two years ago almost to the day! (Another reason I don't like that race!)

So for the next two weeks, its a watch and wait on the collar bone to see if she will need surgery. No running for now and not much else either for at least the two weeks. She's still talking about going to Toronto, however, and walking the half if she has to. I guess time will tell.

Oh, and as for race results? Not up yet!