Clocks Don’t Lie

So, I competed in the American Discovery Trail Marathon last Monday.  It was a sunny day.  There had been severe thunderstorms during the week and the trail was soft and loose.  The soft trail, coupled with the warm temperature and a strong head wind, contributed to slower times for most of the competitors.

Gerald Romero, who last year set a Masters course record of 2:49:57, finished this year’s event just two minutes ahead of me.  When asked for his assessment of the eleven minute difference between this year’s result and last year’s he just shrugged his shoulders. 

My time was 3:02:57, which placed me ninth overall, third place amongst the Masters Men, and earned me $100.  That money will buy me a new pair of running shoes from Runners Roost. 

I snaked around the course a fair amount.  My Garmin Forerunner indicated I had run 26.7 miles, about a half mile longer than the stated distance.  If the marathon route was a straight line, and I had run at an angle to that straight line, I would have run about 5.15 miles off course. 

As we awaited the awards ceremony, Jonathan Drout (Masters winner – 2:55:54), Courtenay Brown (first female – 3:07:08) and I discussed the race.  This was Courtenay’s first marathon.  She competes in triathlons and loves to run.  Jonathan was lamenting that he he’d only recently started running. 

There were many photos taken by Christian Murdock of The Colorado Springs Gazette. 

Mentally preparing for the race.

The start delayed five minutes for late arrivers.

The hounds are released.

200 meters to go.

Tuesday’s Phidippides track workout was a fartlek run in Cherry Creek State Park.  I had the privilege of running out with Mike Chessnoe.  Mike is 72 years old and regularly places in his age group.  We talked about competing and how much fun it is to train for events.  We are all at an age where an accident or injury could end our racing.  Each race is something to be cherished.  Mike is a role model for many.

I had the equally distinct privilege of running the return leg with Noah Turbyfill who is 12 years old.  Noah is just starting to compete and also places in his age group.  We said very few words.  He has a whole lifetime of races awaiting him.  What a thrill.  Noah is wide-eyed and fast.