I Won a Whole Race! (Chain Reaction 5k Recap)

This past weekend was the Chain Reaction 5k. If you read My Preview, you know I had some concerns going in about the course. Welp, my concerns were justified. But I’ll get to that.

First off, let me say that I won the Whole.Stinkin.Race! Like, as in, nobody was in front of me. I was all alone at the finish.

Look at that plaque! I guess I should brush my teeth more. Badumpump.

Yup, that’s right…according to that plaque, I am an overall male. But you probably already knew that.

Anyway, here’s what had happened. My run bud Marsha was also running the race, so she picked me up on the way (not literally, she’s too tiny to hold me up).

Before the race. As you can see by my finger, I correctly predicted my finish. Marsha was one off.

This was a very small race. Around 50 people. I told you it was small.

When the gun sounded I settled in with the lead group – mostly teenagers. After the first lap, it was down to me and one of the teens. I didn’t want it to come down to a sprint at the finish where his youthful energy would work against me, so I made my move when we came to an uphill with 1/2 a mile to go. It worked, he fell behind and I was free to cruise on home!

My finish time: 13:54!!!!!!!!

Rockin a 4:28 per mile pace.

Amazing time, right? I bet you didn’t know I was that fast. Neither did I. But slow your roll, hombre. The course was about A MILE SHORT!!!

So yes, my concerns before the race over the course map were spot on. I spoke with the timing guy and he said the volunteers who marked the course missed a whole section that we were supposed to run.

We only ran 2/3 of this course.

That said, everyone ran the same distance. So in that aspect, it was a fair race.

It felt good, but strange to finish 1st Overall. I don’t think that’s happened since high school track.

Me in high school.

Anykitandkaboodle, at the awards ceremony, they called my name to come get the plaque.

Listening intently as the MC tells me how great I am.

And here’s some more good news…Marsha was also called up as the 1st Female Finisher!!!!! Very cool!!

1st Overall Female & Male plaques selfie.

And the best part, this race gives 100% of the proceeds to a charity that’s a very passionate cause for the race directors. You can read about it HERE.

Final picture of the plaques, I promise.

So all in all, it was a successful race. We had a good time and they raised some funds for charity. Booyah!

How bout you? Prefer small or big races? Ever won a race? Do you have a race strategy you deploy against teenagers?

-Scott

Reflections of a Runner (Update)

A few months ago I wrote about a deceased runner memorial that I always see when I do my long runs at White Rock Lake.  Please do take the time to read it if you can, as I give details that I won’t in this post (you can skip about halfway down the post to where I start writing about her).

You can read that post HERE.

Back when I wrote my original post, I didn’t know too much about her.  A lot of readers wrote in the comments that they were curious about her like I was.  I did my best to research her, but couldn’t find too much.  I did find her brother on Facebook and Linkedin.  I sent him friend requests hoping he would accept and then I could reach out to him…unfortunately he hasn’t yet.

That said, if you scroll down in the comments of the post, you’ll see that I have since gotten comments from a couple of her friends.  One was last week.  They actually came across my blog when they were searching for her.

They left some very nice messages.  One also left a link to her obituary.  It was very nice of them to offer some insight into who she was – saying that she was a beautiful person inside and out.  I’m glad to hear it.

This past weekend I got a chance to run at that spot for the first time in months. I usually start/end my run where the plaque is.  This wasn’t by design – I didn’t notice the plaque until well after I had already established this as a good meeting point (as I said in the original post, it is kind of hidden).

When I finished my run, I went to the spot where the plaque is to stretch (like I always do).  I said a few words to her to let her know she wasn’t forgotten by her friends (and even some of us strangers).

Anyway, that’s just a quick update in case any of you were wondering what ever happened with that.  I promise to share if I ever get any more info. If you are reading this and have anything to share, please do!

-Scott