It is a Wonderful Life (Second Beach to Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Center – EP!C)
Miles Ran newly in place, we hit the ground running, (this time not a s slow as we usually do), with that same consortium + a larger gang now, including more amazing kidlets from friends, Sommer and Joanne, from my old life guarding days in Tsawwassen, and an elementary school in the area, intent on all, (you guessed it, Beat Steph and Matt)!
This time though, we made the kids stay behind, not because you may think we didn’t want to get smoked, but because the Police said “no way to a large group of mini pint sized eco runners” zig zagging all over the road with excitement! We were jumping and leaping from enthusiastic wee ones as they darted in and out between our legs. This one would have to stick and we said our thank you’s and farewells with a big cheer and clap from all the big kids, as they headed off to safer, less traffic infested trails to cheer us home! Ok, part of me was happy to NOT get my butt kicked for at least ONE day on tour. However, we were so thrilled to have so much kid energy driving us home.
Entering Georgia Street felt like a dream as we ran into our very own lane, with cars on both sides gawking at the group on the inside lane, with full Police escort. Camera’s clicking and video-phones being stuck from car windows, so as to not miss whatever this was. We took it all in as the experience would never happen again, especially like this. Your hometown means the most and just like each 1st in someone’s life, never feels the same after the 1st. So we tried as hard as we could, to celebrate each red light we got to run through, as our posse of Police patrol locked up each drivable spot, in order to allow us to run smoothly through. What a cool feeling, a we’d spent 2 ½ years jumping back onto sidewalks (if there was one) and always running where cars are king.
Today, Run For One Planet “stopped the traffic”. Taken from by buddy, Bono of U2. This was a magic experience one earns from a huge expenditure of energy and a huge amount of people support, to get one to this spot. We had arrived and this was “our nod” from our city and from our family, Vancouver, for a job well done. We felt incredibly grateful to receive this vote of confidence in what we were about to complete. And to share it with 30 other supporters (see the photos), made it even more sweet!
The last red light at the corner of Georgia and Pender was the best, as all 4 Police had to block 5 possible escape routes for cars! They expertly locked up 4 routes as well, jumped off one of their rides and blocked the last route with their body! Talk about Police support and taking one for the home team! Thanks guys, you made our run uptown magical.
As we ran along Pender St. we were cheered and clapped for from the lunch crowd, some recognizing from press we’d received, some clapping with that confused but joyful look of, “not sure who they are but well done”. A Police escort and collection of 30 friends running up the main part of a main Street always seems to drawVIP status (with cheers and claps included), from all around.
The last left turn brought the most incredible momentum and rush of adrenaline we’d ever felt before. This last left turn represented all we’d worked and ran for. It meant we were but 100 meters from completing this rough and tumble journey to inspire a continent to re-think about their connection to our amazing Planet. It was the turn of glory for Steph and I (and everyone connected with this humble tour). It was a rush unlike any other I’ve experienced in my crazy, adventure filled life. It was because of energy inside. Energy which had sustained and inspired us to keep moving forward each day and now, we were about to chase these last remaining meters of pavement to reach our proverbial ending point.
We were home as we saw the beautiful and newly built (Green) Vancouver Trade and Convention Center, our place of completion and through our friends (Chris, Randal and Rebecca) at the Epic Expo, were honored to unlace the tour shoes and open the expo for 2009.
You’ll have to read tomorrow as we made our way through a sea of support with tears of joy flowing, now, like wide open faucets with no low-flo device attached! It was wet folks.
Wow, what a feeling that had of been. Ohh don’t stop now … More more more!
Comment by jenn — Sunday, May 17, 2009 @ 7:06 pm