Lee had to go to do a Homecare so my mom came to pick me and the kids up. Now, when I looked at the directions I saw there were 2 options. The short way or the long way. Unfortunatly, I had a stupid attack and took the long way. We left the house about 8:10 am for a 9 am start and I was NOT registered. Well, we finally get close the the race site and I see the clock and it's running and showing 9 minutes. I freak out. I ask a volunteer and he said that the race did not start yet but that I only have 8 minutes. He also reassured me that they will reset the clock.
I parked the car and walked/ran to the registration tent. As we get there, I hear "6 MINUTES TO START"! Jeez. Now is a mad scramble to:
Here is something stupid. The fun run is gonna start 2 minutes after the 5K start. Damn. I always(!) run/pace Jeremy.
2 MINUTES TO RACE START! ARGH!
Now Jeremy and I are running to race start. I am stil fumbling with the MP3 player. Finally, I drape my towel into my shorts to free my hand up. Then I had this great idea. I put the 2 gel packs into my shorts up top, thinking it will stay and then I'll deal with the MP3 player. Great idea until the gel packs completly disappear into the abyss. I got the MP3 player attached, I am not in the front and we start. So now I am praying my son will be ok, the music does not go on and I am stuck behind people. I actually had to go sideways for about 10 feet during the race to get into a clearing. Suddenly the music went on and there I am running at a fast pace with my hand down my shorts on a fishing expedition. Luckily they each went down to each thigh so it was not that bad.
First split was at 7:00. Second split 14:48. I guess not that bad. It could have been better.
At about a mile and a half, this 40ish man comes up alongside and is grunting out loud "OH GOD! OH MY GOD!" continually. Now, I am thinking about what I am supposed to do if he has a heart attack. Then a guy with a jogging stroller passes me. Those are a bitch to run with.
Final stretch: My legs are on fire. I pass the OMG man (no heart attack). I come up on this 15ish guy who is not to happy to see me. He tries to surge! I surge past him. Almost come up to jogging stroller but that was not meant to be.
Now, the weather was chilly and rainy/drizzly and I had this expectation of a possible 2nd place for age win. Boy, was I surprised to find out that I came in at 1st for age. Later, as I talk to Dominic from Quantum Feet, he calls me over to the result page and points at my name and says "thats you - right?" I say yup! Then he said to me, "you look good for a 73 year old!" WHAT? OOPS! They typed in 73 instead of 33. So, now I am back to 2nd place which is great but after the 1st place does not sound that great. Yes - I am stupid. I got my first plaque.