#23 Florida that wasn't......

Cancelled!!!! WTF. Cancelled. I've never had that happen to me. I guess this is the first time and hopefully the last. The facebook message read : " The Clearwater Distance Classic has been cancelled by a consensus of several public safety officials due to a weather forecast of SEVERE Thunderstorm arriving on Sunday Morning"....something about lightening and tornados...whateve

WHAT? Right now, Saturday, it's 81 degrees and we are running at 7am. Can you bump it to 5am...I'll get up extra early. So will others. You can't tell me that. NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I'll be honest my feelings are hurt and I'm shocked. I was so excited and ready for this. This time I would have been able to properly prepare ( not like #22). I want to cry but I can't. I want to yell but what's the point. Ugh!  Key Lime pie, here I come.

When I went to get my bib number that is when I found the out the shocking news in 81 degree weather...did Imention that already.

Again, its not about me. The organizer was still upset. They got the word 5 hours before I "tried" to pick up my bib number. They were letting us get our shirts, bib #, and even medal. I was told we can do a virtual race.....Well F that because I'm not and it doesn't count. FUDGE ME.

Then, I talked to folks from Wisconsin, Connecticut that came downfor the race. One person had trained for their first marathon and their parents came from Italy came over for it. I am not alone in this. We all share the same feelings.

I needed a couple of hours to let this information sink in and a couple of drinks. In the long run, it's ok and life goes on. I still have more states and I'll hit up Florida again. So the world isn't over

HIGHLIGHTS for the #23 that didn't happen:

1. I got to hang out with my Dad and not watch that man take office.

2. We were able to go back to my mom's favorite place in Florida. Plus Dad and I got to go back to Frenchy's together( the favorite place of my mom and Dad)

3. 70 and 80 degree weather in January and we are not in Boston or Cincinnati

4. We went to the St. Peters burg Women's March together, first for both of us.  I was able to   connect with other folks (20,000 in St. Pete's) who are about love, compassion, and justice. Something I will never forget

5. Everyday we ate outside by the water because its in the 70/ 80 degree weather in Clearwater, Florida in January

6. Now realized that I'll run #25 on my birthday.

7. Shit happens. You survive and thrive. I thought about folks that hadthe Chicago marathon cancelled( 2007) because it was too hot or Boston (2013)when the bombing happen and they couldn't finish. Folks came back and completed their runs. Just like I will too.

8. I was able to take some amazing pictures

9. State #22 I was on a mission not to miss a race and this one I got here without a problem and it was cancelled on me, due to " asks of God".  Lol.  I was so ready for this one. Just have to save the outfit for next month.

10. Overall this was a good weekend and a great way to end week one of the semester.

.....#23 redo.....Georgia next month....