After blitzing the Blackmore’s Bridge Run on Sunday (So, so, soooo happy with my time – 54 minutes, yo!), I did the usual post run routine search of the family.
After a couple of back and forths, trying to track them down whilst on the phone, then realizing that there was more than one Help Desk and they happened to be near the one I wasn’t at, finally I found them.
Beyond the medal bling and the personal best times, nothing beats a post run hug from your children.
The elation and excitement of them first spotting you is indescribably adorable. Even when the jelly legs are done and you couldn’t possibly take another step, the energy to run and scoop up the little rag rats is unequivocal.
Except this time.
Nunu happily greeted me, even agreed to take an obligatory selfie with me but K-Bear just scowled, giving me the cold shoulder.
“He’s not happy with you,” Mr Surfer explained.
Apparently, the boys had spotted me during the run. K-Bear was cheering, calling out to me on but I had my headphones on and couldn’t hear him.
Much to his dismay and frustration, I ran straight past him.
So, in front of all the other on-lookers, a distressed 4 year old boy started crying profusely because he thought his heartless Mama ignored him.
Oops.
After letting the twinions have a play on some rock sculptures, which I’m sure weren’t catered to children climbing over them (The “Risk Warning” signs firmly planted all around kinda gave it away), I was back in their good books.
Still sweaty and gross, I was desperate to change clothes but the closest toilets were another bridge run away. With the endless sea of crowds, there was no guarantee they would even be available.
“Go over there”, Mr Surfer pointed to some bushes 50 metres away
“Are you kidding me???”
“Yeah, it should be fine. Just don’t step into a mound of poo over there on the left side. Nunu just took a dump…”
Reluctantly, I picked up my clothes and a towel and walked towards said bushes. Despite the continuous stream of people walking by, no one seemed to notice the suspiciously looking woman about to camouflage herself amongst foliage and fauna.
Just as I was peeling off my sweaty bra while trying to cover my girls with a towel between gritted teeth, I heard someone approaching the bushes.
Panic set in.
“Sssshhhh,” discreetly whispered the lady.
Also searching a place to change clothes, her husband had seen me walk towards the bushes and encouraged her to join me.
So, there we were. Two complete strangers, complete starkers…in the bushes in Sydney’s vast Botanical Gardens.
#Awkward.
And being the kind of person that can’t stand any kind of strange silence, there I was – in the buff – desperately trying to make small talk.
“You did the bridge run too?”
“Wow, wasn’t it packed today? There was no way we could’ve gotten changed in the public toilets!!”
“How AWESOME is this weather today?”
I’m sure my random partner in nakedness wanted to mute me as all that unnecessary chit chat was sure to lure in passersby.
Luckily, we didn’t get caught and once changed, we separated to go back to our respective ways.
As she left the park with her family, we gave each other a discreet nod.
“See ya around the next set of bushes” I smirked.
“Absolutely!” she winked back.
What goes on behind the bushes, stays in the bushes, ‘mmmmkay?
Where’s the strangest place you’ve taken your kit off?
Joining Essentially Jess for another round of #IBOT!
Now that would have made for an amazing post race selfie! Congrats on the run and the time 🙂
That’s a great time, well done! And yay for shared, awkward public nudity! 😉
this is hilarious!! but good thinking on the hubbies.. I’d hate to walk all that distance and still have to queue for a long time to use the restroom. If I had to, I usually bend awkwardly to avoid the windows and change in the car 😛
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
Good on you for the run! That rock structure is amazing but pointless at the same time. Maybe you have to see it in real life. The twinions made good use of it at least. I may have changed in bushes at some time in my life. We women are accommodating and flexible like that:)
HA!!!! You really had me laughing Grace. This is exactly like something my husband would encourage me to do, except the running. But that’s because of my health issue. I would totally be the woman making small chat in the bushes though.
My husband and I thought it would be fun to add to our “have sex anywhere” list a romp in the bushes at a VERY famous garden in Sydney on New Years eve of all things (this was pre-child). There we were, with people walking all around us, and me thinking “if i can see them, can’t they see me.” It’s the thrill…
Haha who knew the bushes were that handy!!
God you’re game, with that number of people I still wouldn’t get changed in the bushes! I don’t think there actually is a strange place I’ve taken my kit off because I’m a bit of a prude!
OMG PISSING myself laughing at “Nunu just took a dump”.
Also your bush solidarity sister!!!
I love you!
That’s hilarious – can’t imagine her shock horror if she knew you were divulging your escapades in the bushes. Well done on the run – you go girl!
I couldn’t do that – I can’t even take my gear off in front of people in change rooms!!! #massiveprude
Congrats. That’s awesome time. Your gorgeous story reminds me of times I’ve randomly ended exchanging small talk in the toilet cubicle next to me. I love that you chatted it out x
Haha omg you’re hilarious, I love it! I’m not sure I could have gone starkers in a public place though!
LOL good one – both the fun run and your nudey run! I think I’ve managed to change under a LARGE beach towel standing hafl hidden behind a car door at the beach – but I’m sure any Aussie worth the salt could claim this!
Visiting today from #teamIBOT xxx
What’s a little nakedness between friends? Or, ummm, strangers…
That’s classic. Bit disappointed you didn’t get the girls out as you crossed the finish line though. No, neither would’ve I. But slipping a bra off under my shirt, done that a bit in my youth. Couldn’t stand wearing them as there was nothing really to put in a bra. Well done on the run, girl! xx
Very funny. Well done on the run! Nothing like a good bush to hide in 🙂
You’re hilarious, Grace. So proud of you too!
OMG, bahahahahhahahhaha! I went from awe at your time to bewilderment trying to work out how your boys could have climbed that thing and ended with shock at the unexpected naked turn this whole thing took at the finale! Awesome post. LOL.
Well done on the run! Superstar. I love that the twin in the top that says #selfie refused to have a selfie with you! Haha! And I’ve gotten changed in the car many, many times before.
Oh that’s flipping hilarious!!! What a crack up you are!!! I could see this on a sitcom 🙂
A girl’s gotta do, what a girl’s gotta do Grace! And I would have totally been the one babbling away to a stranger……clothes or no clothes x
OMG hilarious I’ve done it in the car but the bushes in the park – you win the internet with your new nekkid friend.
The gardener at the botanic gardens must be commended on planting such well placed bushes. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, comes to mind 😉