Last night at about 10:15, my husband and a couple of neighbor friends and I took off on our half marathon run. My sister and other friends had left earlier and some left after us. Every runner could start whenever they wanted, but the goal was to finish (unaided by watches or other timing devices) at midnight. The first 4 runners over the finish line at midnight or after were awarded a trophy. For seasoned runners - which I will call myself - there is a bit of an internal clock or pacing device, which makes it a little easier to guess. However, with a more serious and competitive half marathon coming up in two weeks, I wasn't wanting to push myself at race pace or even at a very hard run pace, so it was more difficult to know when to start and how to pace myself without a watch.
There was a full moon and we all wore glow sticks and/or headlamps. I've never participated in such a relaxed and fun race. We visited and laughed all the way down, and out of, the canyon and through the streets of Mapleton. At the finish, there was music and good food. Lyle and I used it as our Date Night and it really was such a fun date....much better than boring old dinner and a movie!
Anyway....Lyle pushed it at the end and came in 1 second shy of midnight, which meant he "lost." I felt we might be too fast, so I'd hesitated and came in about 6 seconds later. But right in front of me was a group of 4 who took up the whole chute and I couldn't have gotten past them if I'd be inclined to try. Well, they ended up being the first 4 to come in at, or after, midnight. I was in that dreaded spot just after the medals' spots. Lyle and I got a good laugh at our misfortune, then went off to load up on fruit, bagels, ice cream and water.
Too bad the story didn't just end there. I found out that at least one of the gals who accepted a trophy for being in the first four didn't even run the whole race. Her husband had dropped her off at the 10-mile mark and she ran in the last 3.1, knowing her time along the way. I guess I could be okay with someone deciding that they couldn't handle the full distance - it's a long way - but to allow everyone there to believe she HAD run the full race and then, in front of everyone, to accept the award, have her picture taken, all that jazz without earning it?! I couldn't believe the nerve - or the desire.
People who get things dishonestly, people who cheat, who lie, who pass themselves off as less than what they are and get gain from it.....I guess they have their "reward." They get the money or the fame or the popularity...or the trophy! I was disgusted with her actions - and momentarily frustrated that she took an award away from me - but will not let it ruin what was truly a wonderful evening for me. I just can't tell you how much fun we had, how beautiful a night it was, how appreciative I felt of the healthy body I am blessed with and how glad I am to have run an honest race. The cheater couldn't take that away from me!
2 comments:
Glad to find your musings on the race. I was the SLC guy who joined your foursome for the first 6-8 miles before I joined my wife and her group for awhile. Just want to say thanks for the hospitality - we'll be back next year.
Post-race was almost more eventful than during; half our group got lost trying to shuttle to cars; We left Mapleton finally at 1:40am! Oh, and I scraped the side of our minivan pretty bad leaving the campground. Cest la vie.
Love this story. It's like the football story where the ball is so close to the line, and it's at the bottom of the pile-up, but the person chooses not to move it. I think Lyle coming in one *second* before midnight, and you coming in so close after, is just stupendous! You two are incredible!
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