I left the group in July four days after the annual Fourth of July race it puts on. It was over a switch of the finisher's item that runners would receive for completing three of its races.
To me, it was bait and switch and I couldn't stand with a microphone in my hand and extol the virtues of the organization with that business behavior.
Secondarily, I didn't know about it ahead of time.
And when I raised the issue of it being "bait and switch" I was told that I "think too much" and that if people wanted refunds they would be granted them.
It was just a cavalier attitude that wasn't consistent with who I am - and the things that I stand for.
I signed up to run with an individual that is a respected leader in our running communities as he moves closer to his 1,000th race finish and 101 half marathons to go with his 101 marathons.
However, he was sick and couldn't make it on race day.
I chuckled, though, five minutes before the start when the race announcer, who had taken my place, was going through all of his accomplishments without even confirming that he had shown up.
Since I was the last one to cross the start line, I knew that some point in the race I would come in contact with an individual that it would be good to have a conversation with.
It came within mile one.
I could have ignored the individual and later claimed that I never saw them. That, of course, would have been a lie.
I could have just said "Hi!' and kept running. I thought about this and it probably would have been OK.
I ran up behind and to the right of her and joked about it being bad karma to wear the race giveaways on race day before finishing the race.
Long story short, over the next twelve and a half miles, our discussion covered a lot of ground and it was a good one to have.
I'm glad that I made the effort and I'm thankful of her willingness to share and be friendly - and to forgive me of any errors.
Within the next 24 hours, I cleared the way on my end for communications via Facebook.
They sent me a friend request and I accepted it; however, I pretty much immediately unfollowed.
Am glad they're happy, but there's things that I just don't want to see.
They're "great people", but a particular line was crossed regarding feelings through it all and it isn't one that I can easily come back from.
Back to the race, I started last so as to not attempt to draw any attention to myself, given that I had worked with the team before.
The initial plan was for me to announce right up to the start time of all three races and then run them as this was the year that I turned 50.
I saw numerous people that I knew out on the course.
Really got the biggest kick out of my friend at the first water station near the race's finish. I always get a hug from her when we see each other.
She's very empathetic to my personal situation, and I appreciate it.
There were some folks that were surprised to see me, including the producing organization's CPA. He was one of the strongest in saying how much I was missed.
I really appreciated that too.
Obviously, people didn't know the reason why.
Others were like, "Why weren't you announcing today?"
I looked to give my medal to somebody from the team who just comes out and does what needs to get done without any fanfare, but they didn't appear to be there.
I'll have to figure out how to get it to them sometime soon.
And finally, I was appreciative of the individual who walked back to the parking lot with me.
One runner commented on a Facebook post, "It's always good to see you running and not announcing. I'm glad you left the fun to somebody else."
I responded with, "Even though I announce better than I run, I enjoy putting on a bib as much as you do."
And that's the truth!
Looks like I'll sign up for the 25K on Sunday.
I did, but missed the HARRA discount code in the HARRA weekly e-mail because Houston Masters Sports Association doesn't state on its website that it is where it is going to be.
Again, I'm thankful that I have the money to do these types of things, but it is just a shame that you can't go to the race web site and get an explanation of everything that's needed to know.
It also wasn't explicitly in the Constant Contact mailer that HMSA sent out.
Otherwise, the weekend was pretty good with doing the broadcast with Dan Morgan over the Lone Star Christian Sports Network and the Texas Sports Radio Network of Houston St. Pius X and San Antonio Antonian on Friday night, then announcing the NXN South Regional at Bear Branch Sports Park in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.
Was very thankful for my daughter cooking me dinner Saturday night before Sunday's race and then enjoyed her company for a meal Sunday evening before we went and visited my Mom.
