atonement roll

i was on the bus with two cute antipodeans, but they must have figured my attempt to be helpful had ulterior motive. it was then a little awkward that we were all going to exactly the same spot.

i got to the western wall early. very early. i missioned to find something to eat, stopping for an emergency sugar dose and drink when i began to feel woozy. i eventually found something food-like, and consumed most of the dodgy zatar pita bread before deciding that something wasn't quite right with it.

after about 15 minutes sitting impiously opposite the wall, the group began to fade in.

i was terrified before we set out. i hadn't been feeling well the whole day, my back's still giving me trouble and i have what appears to be a broken toe. to make things worse, i overpacked my bag (and i'm not used to blading with one anyway) and i'm uncomfortable with wearing a helmet, no matter how much everyone enjoys seeing me in my tinfoil hat.

speaking of which, i've decided to tell people it's my "invisible hat"... "because whenever i put it on, all my friends disappear".

in spite of all that, i machined through the 70 (70!) klicks, only really suffering the first two uphills and loving the rest. the downhills weren't so bad - i was sorry after the first one because i'd been overly cautious, and the second one showed me that my rollerblades' terminal velocity isn't as great as mine ^_^

out of 70 people, we only had one accident bad enough that it required an ambulance. worse than usual, but not bad considering.

there's something very special about going high-speed on a deserted highway on rollerblades. in terms of perspective it's like coming down a piste :)

i got by on crackers, sugar sticks, two litres of water and two cans of redbull. i think i'm allowed, on account of not feeling well and not being fit enough for the run. 70km is a lot. i have discovered a new appreciation for marathon runners. my feet, knees and all points of contact with my bag are red and sore, the rest of me achy and tired.

but i feel good. i feel... worthy.