Wee Stories

Running and driving – an update.

So, the last few days have been rather eventful. I ran my very first 5km race – the Shape Run – but of course I didn’t race it. I think it’s more appropriate to describe it as run-plodding (plunning? rudding?). I passed the finish line before the timer turned to the 37th minute, but I think my timing is better than that, because I started right smack in the middle of the throng and took some time to actually pass the start point, so maybe I shaved off a minute there. I could also have finished faster if I hadn’t slowed down to tell a race marshal that a man was running in the pack, and to get drinks at both drink stations. But it was my first race, so I wanted to experience everything that went with it, even though you really don’t have to hydrate en route for a 5km run if you’re sufficiently watered before the race. Gotta say, the water felt better splashing on my face than going down my throat. I hope the Shape people post the results online soon!

In other news, I failed my driving test today. My instructor was confident I’d pass, unless I got this particular tester named Harry who apparently fails good drivers and passes bad ones. Whaddyaknow, which tester did I get but the man himself. I was a huge bundle of nerves and made several mistakes, two of which cost me the test before I even got out of the circuit. Having mastered the art of parallel parking some days before this, I somehow contrived to strike the kerb not once, but twice, while trying to get the car into the lot. That earned me 20 points, and you need to get below 20 to pass the test. The tester might as well have ended the test there and then, but he made me finish the whole thing, drive back, sit down, and listen to him pay me backhanded compliments like how I handled the car skillfully, had good instinct etc. But I failed. Actually, since I sucked he should have passed me, if what my instructor claims about him is true.

I’m not too fussed about failing – I was telling K that I would have been over the moon if I’d managed to pass on the first try considering how I had only two circuit sessions and felt really unfamiliar with the circuit environment. I think my instructor knew I was a goner when he saw the tester too; he wasn’t surprised at all that I’d failed! Anyway, the next test is booked for 8 October. Here’s hoping that by then (a) I get my act together and (b) don’t get Harry as my tester again.

I leave you now with a photo of myself after I completed the 5km, before I joined the queue for the runner’s kit, which was a marathon in itself. Don’t I look like I could be a runner here?

27. July 2010 by Jean
Categories: Driving, Life at large | 3 comments