Suffice it to say I'm not loving my recent 5k performances. However, I tend to have the attitude of try and try again. So I schlepped it out in nasty conditions to a race that always has issues but tried to overlook it all in pursuit of a sub 20. 

 

I can't say how disappointed I am in the race organization and even the timing company. First, the start was horrible. People were on the mats which is a cardinal sin in racing. This was because the timing company said "go ahead" to allow some 20+ runners to enter backwards into the chute 1 minute prior to gun. So instead of fast runners at the front there were dog walkers, people wearing antlers and like. You get my drift.

 

Then instead of running around the bell tower as per the course map the course went straight and had a barrel turn. By this time we were running in a heavily torn up road with ribbed concrete and potholes. My goal was not to roll an ankle but try and not slow down either. By this time I'm getting a little mad because I did not like the barrel turn and did not anticipate it. I'm thinking ok, suck it up. You have a downhill coming.

 

So I head back down hillsborough and crest the top of the hill so I can see the next turn around. I'm squinting and thinking why is it so far away?? But I didn't think too much of it UNTIL I got closer and looked at my watch and saw 19:00. Normally, I like to be close to the finish or at least able to see it by this point. Well, I was pretty far away and my watch kept going....until 21:xx. By then I am thinking how can I be so slow?? I considered running off course but thought maybe my watch was wrong. It never occurred to me that the course was  a quarter mile longer than a 5k. The worst part for me was I really thought I was having a bad race despite semi-ok splits. So I slowed down and actually put on the breaks down the final entrance to the mats. I figured I mays as well sabotage the race. So the last 800-1000m I lost about 15 seconds. Ugh.

 

Then I cross the finish line to hear everyone saying it measured 3.33 miles. That at least explained it. But still my last mile was a wreck because of it. The timing company was saying you all pr'd in a 3.33 mile race. I did not find that funny. Then to top it off the official results are posted with no mention of a long course. 

 

After doing a LOT of race math to figure out what my time would have been I figure I would have been slightly sub 20. That would have made me happy. I'll just go with that and call it a day.