No coasting...

A lot of good things about the Cherry Blossom race this year: it was relatively warm, both Cullen and Tom were in good shape, AAA didn't take more than an hour and a half to arrive, and it only took the mechanic about 10 seconds to unlock the truck so we could go home. First the postcard view. I had about an hour to walk around while Cullen and Tom were chasing each other around DC. As early as it was, people were settled in around the tidal basin with blankets, breakfast spreads, MANY cameras, tripods, and every imaginable breed of dog. The picture I wish I had gotten? Two middle-aged women with a dog on a leash and a cat in a baby stroller. According to them, the cat loves being out and about, and especially loves shopping. What I didn't ask, but should have, How could they tell?

Proof positive that both runners came through the race feeling fine: Neither of them was out to set a record as far as speed went. For Tom, this was just a light little run in preparation for Boston, and he needed to come out of it feeling good. Mission accomplished.

And here's something I didn't know anything about. I'm standing there holding Cullen's bike while he does his transformation from a runner into a biker when a total stranger pauses in absolute awe to ask about this bike. I'd never heard of a bike with a "fixed crank" and no "coaster brakes," or something along those lines. This is not the bike that went to California. It has the "advantage" of moving only when it is being pedaled. There is no coasting on a downhill. Which I guess means you have to work...to go downhill. Who knew. I'm just happy he's kept the hand brakes.