Friday the 13th on a Thursday

My plan for yesterday was:

Get little ones up, washed dressed and breakfasted, then my husband (who had taken the day off) was going to take them to their holiday club. He would pick them up from there, and take them out for lunch. While they were out, I was going to attempt a 20K run on my own.

Of course, things didn't go to plan. Just as my husband was about to leave, his mobile rang. some disaster at work, can he join a meeting to sort it? So, quick change of plan, I will drop them off at their club, come back and start my run.

Dropped them off in time and headed home. Traffic was slow on a main road and I could see the cause up ahead, there was a car parked right on a blind bend so very difficult to pass. As I got to the parked car I could see a woman I knew from our mother and toddler group standing next to the car looking distressed. I decided to go passed, park down a side road and walk back to see her.

The poor woman was in tears, she had a puncture (well initially but now the tyre was in shreds.). I could see that it was also the narrow spare wheel and she said it is the second puncture this week and has not got the first one repaired yet. I suggested driving the car to where I have parked as it was causing an obstruction where it was. That was the next problem. She had her keys and phone in her hand bag. At home, she had started the car, gone back inside to pick something up and left her bag behind. When she stopped, she turned off the engine, but then could not start it again as she didn't have the fob.

The police turned up and offered to push it round the corner, but then found without the key, she could not release the electronic handbrake. She was with the AA so they contacted them to come and rescue her. they then got called away. I offered her my phone to call her husband but she didn't know his number. The AA were brilliant and were there within 20 minutes (a lot less than the two hours they had told the Police).

I left her at that point and headed home. My husband was still in his meeting and said it was likely to go on a while so could I pick up the little ones from their club if needed. My run was well and truly done for.

I decided on a quick 5K and then try to arrange a 20K for a future date. I will definitely avoid the 13th of the month!!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

A catalogue if catastrophies stopped your run, better luck next time

[Yesletsgo Graduate10]

I bet she was so grateful to see a sympathetic face!

Those cars with electric everything are fantastic....until the electrics pack up. How do I know this? I had one which stopped working halfway through a 16km tunnel under the Alps. Your friend's traffic jam was nothing on the one I caused!!

I sold the car at a huge loss and the only automatic things on my present vehicle are the windows 😂

[Hidden in reply to Yesletsgo]

And she still had the problem that she was locked out because her keys were in her handbag in her house. I think that my missed run is rather insignificant compared to the problems she has had.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Absolute nightmare, a different car used to lock automatically after a certain length of time unlocked. You learn pretty quickly to keep hold of your keys. Your poor friend!

[Week7 Graduate10]

How frustrating- better luck next time!

[Liono]

Oh goodness, that poor woman. I really felt for her reading your post. If it makes you feel any better missing your run and wasting your child-free opportunity (been there!), I know how much you stopping would have meant to her. I had a car accident a few years ago when someone was stopped in the middle of the road just around a bend. It shook me up massively and wrote off my car but a very kind fellow Mum from my child's nursery stopped to help in the same way that you did and I can't tell you how grateful I was to see a friendly face!

Frustrating for you, but something she will always be grateful for I am sure.

[Scruff55 60minGraduate]

What a collection of issues to distract you from your 20k run. 🤞your next run goes to plan.