Evening timing, Brake shop open, Now is the time

by Duf Anything and Everything

So last night was my one and only evening timing gig of the year.  We had a little over 400 people registered for the event.  For the most part things went fine, including using the 10 meter timing mats at the start.  For the second race in a row I successfully captured runners start times.  It was a wide start with a ton of simultaneous feet crossing at the same time, it seemed to work just fine.

I was home in the driveway by around 8pm which wasn’t bad at all considering the race was at 6:15.  Of course I had more to do yet unloading the truck, posting the results, updating the website and organizing and putting away the equipment afterward.

This weekend since Ali will be away I figured it is the perfect time to reopen Duf’s Brake Shop and replace the front brake pads on the Camry.  I watched a 20 minute video demonstrating the procedure on a non-hybrid Camry.  I am hoping the procedure is identical on our hybrid.  I may video the procedure myself so it can be  thrown on YouTube as the first Camry Hybrid brake pad replacement example.

So like I said Ali is gone this weekend, she is flying to Chicago with Michelle where they will be participating in their first ever marathon.  Michelle was at the race last night and I asked her how she was feeling about the upcoming race.  It seemed like she had a somewhat negative outlook on the race, setting low expectations.

Now I have seen Michelle in race situations enough to know that she is too much of a competitor to not go all out.  She did quite well running the 23 miles I bike supported her on, I have no doubt in race conditions with thousands of people cheering her on she will be able to perform well.

The mind is such a powerful tool when it comes to endurance activities like this.  Positive thoughts manifest into positive outcomes.  I have encouraged Ali to shoot high as well.  Of course the primary goal is to finish above all else in your first marathon.

Regardless, I am proud of both of them for even taking on such a challenge, I excited to hear how it all turns out. Run, Ali, run….