Yesterday was a big day: I got to see the Olympic torch relay as it wove its way through my neighborhood, I got to hold the torch and hang-out with the torch-bearer... and I got a workout in on the spin bike at the gym!
I confess, my plan for the Olympics was to rent the shack out to some wealthy visitor for a month or two. I always was a 2010 Olympics supporter, but in my mind, that support would consist of watching the games on a big screen TV from the comfort of a stool under the swaying palms in some open-air beach bar in Panama.
As circumstances would have it, the free vacation and fully-paid home renovation did not materialize. In fact, the closest I got was a bite from 23 Russians who wanted a place for 3 days. So, it's only been in the last few days that I have written-off Plan "A" and caught Olympic fever. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those of us who live in the lower mainland of British Columbia. Snooze, 'ya loose.
Elementary school drop-off and pick up is the biggest excitement on in a typical day in my suburban neighborhood. Yesterday around 4:30 pm, the normally-deserted residential streets and sidewalks were mobbed with people of all ages and backgrounds waiting for a glimpse of the Olympic torch as it passed through North Vancouver.
Canadian flags were everywhere! I found it very cool that Canadians of all ages and backgrounds were out cheering. I was with a German-Canadian. The woman with the small child next to my right was from Korea. The older couple on my left was originally from the UK. They were waving flags of Canada, Great Britain, Ghana and Somalia to show their support for a wider cross-section of countries participating in the 2010 Winter Olympic games.
In spite of the bouncers who surrounded her, we were able to get close enough for a high-5 as the torch-bearer passed. From my perspective as a runner, I'd say she was maintaining a slow jog pace... probably on purpose because this particular torch-bearer was a former Olympic ski racer.
Coolest of all, however, was the party last night at my friends Ron and Alison's place. Their daughter, Kathryn, carried the torch!
A bunch of well-wishers were excitedly waiting when Kathryn came home all tricked-out in her torch-bearer uniform and carrying a bona fide 2010 Winter Olympic torch. She was beaming ear-to-ear: The perfect poster child!
Of course, everyone wanted to get their hands on the torch. (The white uniform and hat was provided, but Katheryn forked-out about $400 for the actual torch. It had been "fixed" so that you couldn't use it as a functioning garden tiki-lamp or to light your BC bud, as the case may be.)
Getting to hold that torch, almost warm still after carrying the Olympic flame, was quite the thrill. It has definitely got me excited about the games!
BTW, I'd really like to hook up for a trail run with some of the visitors in town for the Olympics. If you know of any who might be interested, please send them my way!
