Pirate PSA

Here is a picture of some of the feral parrots who flock in San Francisco. They were so consumed with destroying the cherry trees in the park that I was able to get right up close to them and take pictures without losing a finger. Pretty cool, huh?

Here also is a very quick post in which I tell you all about stupid things that people do when they go on vacation...

...like neglect to register for a race, only to find out the day before that the race is sold out.

Can I just say, oops? Yeah. Between being ill, training, working, dealing with a whole ball of fish at work, etc. I didn't register for the race. I could have, I had plenty of opportunity - we bought our plane tickets ages ago, and I roped friendly help into childcare many moons ago. My beloved husband is also excuse-less. Though he does seem to rely on me to do the registrating for the household, he too holds a credit card of his own. We seemed to believe that we would be able to saunter up and register on race day - which would be OK, except that 300 other people had the even brighter idea to register in advance.

D'oh.

I'll just say that race directors who have to deal with silly people who forget to sign up for races are very cranky - and rightly so.

No matter, I made the best of my weekend away in the Bay Area by racking up extra miles. I went trail running with 21CM in her 'hood (gorgeous terrain - she claims it wasn't much of a run, but I say I had a fabulous time!). I also did a really fun run up the Embarcadero to Crissy Field - nice. There are a lot of runners and cyclist in SF - I had plenty of company, great weather, and fantastic views the whole way. There are so many beautiful and challenging places to run in San Francisco and around the area, I think this is definitely an athletic destination.

I also got to sample a spin class at the Embarcadero Y, conveniently located right next door to our hotel. What a luxury - to sleep in until 6, roll out of bed and straight into a spin class. I didn't swim in the Y pool, but I did have a look. It's pretty cool - a 50M pool on the 2nd floor with a view of the street right out the window. Apparently it's one of the best facilities in town - I know where I'll stay when I go back.

On the race that didn't happen, I had some interesting foreshadowing last week in the form of another race I wanted to do suddenly turning up closed. Earlier in the year, I got e-mail that Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race registration was open - but it was just after Christmas and I was feeling broke. So, when I went to register for Iron Horse earlier last week (why Iron Horse and not Pirate's Cove? I don't know what I was thinking) I was horrified to find the Citizen's Tour full. Closed. Kaput. Race spots were open, but not for my age group.

It's 2 months before the race and it's already sold out? GAAA! I did not see that coming! I think last year was the first year they put a cap on entries at all - and they seemed to have spots up 'till the bitter end. Selling out is not something I expected. I spoke with others who planned to do the race - they too had not yet registered; they too were mystified. This is a race that usually has plenty of space.

I contacted the RD (this was not as easy or straightforward as I had hoped) and it seems they are holding some Citizen Tour slots back to be auctioned (the plot thickens) but I can register for a younger age group. Younger Age Group? Huh?

This bike race has about a dozen categories - it took me awhile to figure out which one was the right one for a younger age group non-pro non-cat racer, but I did. I'm not confident that it'll stick, but they have my money, they said it was OK, and I want them to give me a bib. That's my story, I'm sticking to it.

My beloved, however, is out in the cold. No age group slots for him. I'll try and get him an auction spot later on.

In my freaked-out state, I decided it was a sign. This is now Rule #28 of Rackham's Rules: if I want to do a race, I had bloody well better sign up for it in a timely manner!

So.

Here's what I got on the schedule so far:

Run for the Zoo 10K: May 4, Undecided - but it says if I can raise $25 in donations that will pay for my entry fee. And I like the Zoo. So maybe...
Bay to Breakers: 3rd Sunday in May, Are you kidding? They take up to 60,000. I have time. Plus, my husband is thinking about some crazy 50K race on the same day, I told him after we missed Pirate's Cove he has first refusal for that day if we can't get childcare. I'll give him 1 week to figure it out.
Jay Benson Sprint Tri: Mother's Day Weekend, Paid - now to recruit My People for Baby's First Triathlon...
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic: Memorial Day Weekend, Paid, I hope - and we have rad accommodations.
Narrow Gauge 5K or 10mi: the day after Iron Horse, Undecided - better figure that out soon (though last year I signed up the day before).
Rock and Roll Marathon San Diego: First weekend in June, no rush, they take 50,000; need good Ding fare and place to stay
Jemez Caldera Marathon: June 14th, My husband better sign up fast. If he signs up, I'll go along and herd The People and man an aid station.
IMCDA Sherpa: The following Sunday, Waiting for a good Ding Fare, hotel booked.
Buffalo Springs 70.3: The weekend after IMCDA, Paid - now to find a hotel
Vineman 140.6: August 2, The RD says they'll take entries up to the bitter end, so I'm looking for a 3rd crazy to get the 3-for-2 entry deal. Any takers?
Socorro Chile Harvest - August something, Registration not open yet
Colorado Relay: September, paid, need to sort out hotel for me + 10. Time for another race meeting.

And now I feel really broke...