The Early Bird Gets to the Finish

It was Rock N' Roll Marathon Day in San Diego & while I was not participating in the race itself, I still had a long day of paid responsibilities that would require plenty of endurance.

The Best Western offered guests who ran the race a complimentary ride to the starting line.  Participants seemed to like this perk enough to stay five miles away in Point Loma rather than around Balboa Park where the race began.  

Zack & I were be in charge of getting them there before the 6am starting gun.  This was our second year working together on the project.  The only mishap in year one:  a contestant who failed to reached the finish line was angry that we did not pick them up on the return shuttle because we could not find them.  

Finishing is the most important thing in a race & in this one you even got a medal.

I woke up at 3:30am, showered, & drove to work (I normally rode my bike, but I needed the truck & the Mad Munch equipment for the market).  Zack & I met in the office with coffee & pastries from the breakfast room to go over the "Dropoff List."

"I got the 4:30s, you got the 4:45s & we'll keep alternating until everyone's there," he explained.  "Make sure you do a roll call when they get in the van.  Somebody usually sleeps in every year, but don't wait more than five minutes, cuz then it'll throw off the whole schedule."

"Got it.  Real easy," I said.  "What are the walkie-talkies for?"

"For us to play around on.  No, in case we miss somebody- like last year- we can get em.  What time you have to take off for your market?" he asked.

"I'm outta here at eight."

We welcomed folks in running attire onto the shuttle.  Some a little grumpy, others very quiet, & a few more stoked like they came out of a sales briefing.  People were friendly enough, but only a few tips came our way.  Apparently, they were more focused on running 26.2 miles (or the 13.1 half marathon variety) than remembering to tuck a few extra bills in their spandex.

It went by without a hitch.  Zack & I shuttled probably 50-60 runners up the steep hill of Laurel Street straight into the park.  We had extra time on the way back to the hotel between runs to sit & talk on the walkie-talkies.

"Damn, I just remembered.  I forgot to get ice," I said.

"Just go to the 3rd floor & fill up, man," Zack said.  "There's plenty."

After I clocked out, I grabbed the dish bucket from the truck & filled up about 10 gallons worth, making two trips up from the parking garage.  When I met Kate over on Canon Street to set up, she was impressed the iced coolers.  

"I can't wait to pop an ice cold DC!" she said.

Together we set up in our usual spot & I told her all about my morning.  After lighting the grill, the next step is to set up all of the Cheezer toppings, like a cold table for easy access.  That's when I noticed that day wouldn't be as easy.  

"Ah!  We're out of Pepper Jack & really low on Ham," I said.  "Damn, I never went to the store yesterday after Golden Hill."

"Wait- isn't there a Ralphs over here?  I can drive over in my car & grab some stuff," she said.  "What else do we need?"

"Here, I'll make a list."

She left & grabbed some Pepper Jack, more Ham & a few other items.  And, when Alex & his dog, Franklin came by that day to order a Donnie Special, he was none the wiser.

"Great sandwich, guys," he said before he left.  "And there's nothing quite like an ice cold Coke can on a sunny afternoon."

Quotes like that made packing up the truck & going home feel like you were on top of the world.