That was a close one!

Have you ever had that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach? Sure you have. It's the feeling when you realize something you didn't want to be true. The realization that something is final, over, finished. Maybe when you get news you weren't expecting. We've all felt it and it was my turn to feel it a couple weeks ago. I went online to sign up for the Silver Strand Half Marathon and at first I didn't believe my eyes. I blinked, then looked again. I think I may have rubbed my eyes. Right next to every category in red letters were the words sold out. My heart sank and yes, I got that feeling in my stomach. I've been training for a couple months and countless people had made donations and were encouraging me.

What do I do?

First I called and got a recording. I left a message and was going to have to wait until the next day. This was going to be a long 18 hours. Next I started looking online for another half marathon around the same time that could be a substitute. Long Beach looked good. I just kept thinking about having to figure out who gave what and having to try and refund all that money.

I called my daughter and gave her the news. I told her if we had to find a bike path somewhere we would ride the 13 miles and get it done.

Finally as all this was going through my head, I got a call the next day and the young lady could not have been nicer. Since the Silver Strand Half Marathon is also a fund raiser for The Challenged Athletes Foundation she explained they always hold back a few entries for just this kind of situation.

Whew!

So that feeling in the pit of my stomach is gone and all is well with the world again. Thanks again for all your support. I can't wait until November 15th!

See ya on the road...

Doug