Sue and I arrived early enough that I could get a few minutes of warmup. For the first time in over two months my Garmin was set to display the actual running pace.
During warmup I tested the legs at different paces to see what I might expect out of myself. Based upon what I felt I told Sue to expect me back at the finish in about twenty four minutes. I was somewhat disappointed, I really thought I might run faster as a "lite-weight". I'm not complaining, but with little training, most at twelve minute miles what can you really expect.
I don't want to give a "Blow by Blow" description of the race, all I'll say is that I was four seconds off my prediction with a 24:04. Kristin Shaw, who we sponsored, finished second female with a blazing 20:10. The only mistake I made was during the second mile when I backed off my pace on a hill, I don't think I really needed to, after all I have "No Ass" anymore.
As I closed in on three miles I was pretty sure I had passed the only guy in my age group (with the exception of a fifty-three year old who would run under twenty minutes). Looking behind me I was surprised to see a lot of space between me and the next runner. I knew at that point I might just place after all.
The bottom line, I ended up winning the 50 -59 year old age group award. In a "fast field" I would not have had a chance but sometimes it pays to just show up and give it your best.
Thanks Dr. Berg for getting me into this race, how wonderfully strange that I ended up being the "ringer" you suggested I might be.
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