This is worth a mention more the the humor than the achievement. I did a local 5k today: The Ken Hummel Memorial 5k. My two DD's did the "chicken run" (1 mile), with my youngest walking the better portion of the course. Fashion report: DD #1 wore a grey and pink Billabong top with denim shorts and Nike Shox. DD #2 wore a pink skort, a blue t-shirt and Strawberry Shortcake light-up sneaks.
The 5k started soon after. I'd never run the course before, but a local volunteer Fire Company had a lead car. After about 200 yards I took the lead, checked my Garmin, saw that I was at about a 6:30 pace, and kept going. So. This never happens, so I just keep running, and check the Garmin again at the half mile mark......oooops. I wasn't running a 6:30 pace......I was running a 5:30 pace. Heh. Now: I really like it up here, right behind the lead car (lights flashing and everything), but this is too fast for me. I decide to stop looking at the Garmin, and control the inevitable Fade.
The day couldn't be nicer (low sixties, a few clouds), and the course winds through some scenic pastures and cornfields. I'm doing admirably in not thinking about the pain: I try to concentrate on form, and not think about the Garmy. It does occur to me that I could break 19:00 today, so I'm glad to see that the final half-mile or so is a gentle descent, ending in front of the town hall.
By the way, I'm still in the lead. The part of me not hurting (and that's a pretty small part) feels giddy. So, I'm in the last quarter mile. I'm finishing strong. The lead car pulls off. I like this. I'm picking up the pace, feeling the good burn, and people are cheering, yelling a lot.
But. They're not cheering: they're screaming at me to turn around. I've MADE A WRONG TURN. I missed side street with a little out-and-back loop on it. Ugh! So I turn around, do that, then finish, still 1st OA, but really chagrined. 19:24 chip-time. Would I have gone sub-19 without the snafu? Hmmmmm...doubtful. My splits were 6:08, 6:25, 6:32 and :19, so the GPS was telling me that it was a short course anyway.
Thank goodness for small races with chip-timing. FR: White singlet, grey shorts, Adidas Adizero Manas, yellow bandana on my head.
Thanks for reading.
"Wrong Way" Walt
Beginner all over again
Congratulations, Wrong Way Corrigan Walt
Good run for you, even with the whoopsie in there.
What a fun morning. Wish I were there to see both see you win and see your daughter's light-up sneakers!
Great job, Walt. Congratulations on a speedy race and1st OA. To make a wrong turn, recover, and still be first is impressive. It's neat your daughters got to be there with you.
TomS
Renee the dog
Dude, I can't place in my AG and I haven't made a wrong turn (yet!). VERY VERY COOL!
Congratulations!
GOALS 2012: UNDECIDED
GOALS 2011: LIVE!!!
Congratulations! But I want to know something if you are following the pace car how can you make a wrong turn? I thought they led through the whole course, turn-by-turn?
Live like you are dying not like you are afraid to die.
Drunken Irish Soda Bread and Irish Brown Bread this way --> http://allrecipes.com/cook/4379041/
King of PhotoShop
"During a marathon, I run about two-thirds of the time. That's plenty." - Margaret Davis, 85 Ed Whitlock regarding his 2:54:48 marathon at age 73, "That was a good day. It was never a struggle."
Two things you'll never see in my RR:
1. "I took the lead"
2. "I was running a 5:30 pace"
Wow! This is really an impressive effort, wrong turn and all.
Great job on the victory.
Be safe. Be kind.
Nice running Walt !
Since I wasn't umpiring today I could have loaned you my seeing eye dog
Courage ! Do one brave thing today...then run like hell.
Trails are hard!
Need a fast half for late fall. Then I need to actually train for it.
Wow, great race for you and what a fun day. Congratulations!
Hint: blame the wrong turn on the fumes from the pace car messing with your head