Though it didn’t seem it at the time…

If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen my post a couple weeks back about Zipcars.  My car has been on its last legs for about a year:  it farts blue smoke, has had trouble starting since the winter, clearcoat is totally scabby looking, 141,300 miles on it.

I was thinking about getting a new car, though dreading it, because I hardly use it – mostly to go to one particular recording studio or to the big grocery store and shopping center.  Other than that, I’m walkable to most everything I need, so the idea of shelling out a few thousand bucks for something that’ll be sitting on the street was less than pleasant.

I had decided I’d use Zipcars as soon as my inspection was due (end of October).  Zipcars are cars you rent by the hour, you don’t have to buy insurance or gas, it’s a great deal and there are tons of cars within a few block radius of my apartment.  You know where this is going, right?

So I’m driving to the doctor and am in this single-lane tunnel that takes cars to the interstate highway.  It’s rush hour so there’s a huge line of cars behind me.  I’m the first car at the light and while I’m sitting there, the car dies.  Just dies.  Dead.

I am FREAKING out, have no idea what to do, all these cars are beeping at me and I can’t do anything!  So I call 911 and they tell me someone will be there soon but I have that doctor’s appointment so I’m panicking.  Meanwhile, after the light changes twice, 2 guys push my car out of the way, to a precarious spot behind the museum where a fast moving car or bus could easily rear-end it.  Not a good place to leave a car.

I have 10 minutes until my appointment but here I am waiting for the cops and I have a dead car.  The appointment is about 1.4 miles away.  So I call 911 again and the cop tells me to leave a note and do what I have to do.  I gather my stuff and start running.

Then I realize that I’m running like marathon pace and maybe that’s not the best thing to be doing since I’m going to the doctor about collapsing during strenuous running.  I start walking as fast as I can.  That lasted until about 6 blocks from the doctor’s when I slung my shoulder bag onto my back and ran like a true racer (who happens to be wearing a cute halter top and short skirt).

I get there just in time, covered in sweat, my top totally soaked around my waist, highly stressed and wondering what the hell will happen to my car in the meantime.

The Appointment
As expected, nothing yet.  I’m going to get an Echo Stress test, though my doctor is sure it won’t find anything since it only lasts 13 minutes and I’m too fit for it to have me reach much stress.  I’m also getting a Spirometry test to see about breathing.  She doesn’t  think it’s asthma because you can hear my labored breathing, which she said means it’s higher than the lungs.  I find this interesting since my running pals who report having asthma report loud breathing.  I’m convinced I’ll be left in limbo when all is said and done without anything conclusive.

I was feeling blue when I left the doctor’s office, wondering what I’m going to do without a resolution, but as I started walking home, my mood began to lift.

Unfinished Business
It was night time and I was in the University City area of Philly where all the Frat houses are and where I’m never at, certainly not walking at night.  It was pretty fun though, lots of kids playing, drinking, yelling and having a good time.  The air was incredibly wonderful and I was on the phone telling my story to my pal Lara, then to my ex Nick (who I’d called while stuck in the car but who is in Las Vegas so couldn’t help me out).

So by the time I get near the car, I’m feeling kind of chipper and actually hoping the car isn’t there.  I have decided during my walk that I just want to dump the thing.

I laugh as I approach the museum and see my hazards blinking into the night, realizing how funny it is that I’m disappointed to see it.  I call Geico and ask if they’ll tow my car, permanently.  She tells me I’ll have to pay for it myself, then she hooks me up with Vince, the towing guy who tries to talk me out of wanting any money for it.  I tell him all I want is to not pay for the tow.  Vince is all for that.

So I’m waiting for the tow truck and getting all sentimental about the old Saturn.  It was the only car I’ve ever repaired myself (swapped out a cracked coolant temp sensor, cleaned and replaced the EGR valve to stop it stalling, plus some other stuff) so we’ve had a long bonding process.  Then I call my ex-husband, Jonny.  Since we bought it together back in 1996 it only seemed fitting to involve him in the last rites.

The tow truck comes and after I sign my name, she was gone.  I don’t have a car anymore.  And you know what?  I was smiling and laughing to myself as I headed home in that beautiful evening breeze.

Whatever happens with racing doesn’t really matter that much, I’m still a runner and that’s the important thing.  Beyond that is life and the funny little stories that happen and the people we know.  That is the good stuff.

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