Hubby turned 50 and ofcourse I signed him up for a Birthday 5k - what better way to start such an auspicious day! He looked rather quizzical about the lack of breakfast in bed, but I could tell this would make him happier than snuggling in bed with a tray of bacon. This was a new racing experience, the first time we had raced Californian style and we were excited to see the local scene.
The day began filled with the promise of gorgeous weather; sun rise bringing that soft lambent glow that infuses the ridges and golden hills cradling Walnut Creek with a well meaning warmth. The race was a mere five minute drive so no waking at dawn and downing oatmeal in the dark, it was utterly civilized. We met groups of East Bay runners outside LuluLemon where balloons and music were starting to signal the race preparations were afoot. That wonderful pre-race buzz of adrenaline and excitement were in the air.
Studying the course on a map; I could see it was a fairly simple downtown route, run as one loop for the 5k and as a double loop for the 10K. I was not much cop at shorter faster races so naturally picked the 10k, and despite having run many marathons, 10 milers etc, was interested to see what my time would be as it would actually be my first 10k.
After much hoopla and anthems the gun went off and the crowd hurtled down Walnut Creek's Main Street. As usual in a 5k, I lined up near the front, fully knowing I would be passed by 50% of the people behind me within minutes. With that out of the way I concentrated on running a nice even pace. The beauty of a double loop is that you can be accurate in your splits, and I decided to run a 21 minute 5k and see if I could hold on to it for the second lap. The first go around was fun, lots of spirited kids as it was a race for education, and some terribly jolly cheerleaders 'giving it everything' who were stationed at the turn around mark. As the 5k racers sprinted for the finish line I turned and followed the signs for the 10k and headed off into the lonely second lap where I could see maybe 3 or 4 men up ahead and no one else near me. The second time around the cheer leaders were just as great, but there cries echoed hollowly now as very few people were running or spectating. I was definitely getting tired and it was no longer the fun filled scene it had been; however running a time is running a time and, lack of atmosphere was not going to daunt me. At about 4.5 miles things started to get more challenging, so I decided to just keep holding pace and not attempt any increase or sense of speed. My strategy was to not pick it up until about 5.5 miles then to see what I had left.
As usual I was wearing my hand dandy garmin and had noticed that the 5k mark was a little way into the second loop, which surprised me, but lets face it GPS is at best only 90% reliable. Running alongside a chap of about 30 we headed into the last mile or so of the race. Suddenly I saw the same 5k finish line, and next to it the 10k sign showing where the second loop began. In my running induced delirium it seemed to make no sense. I glanced at my watch and it read 5.1 miles, this couldn't be the finish line, it was a mile too early? I headed straight rather than turning and an official screamed at me to go to the finish line sign. Ofcourse I argued and said 'we have only run 5.1 miles". He shrugged and said 'course might be a bit short'. My kids were watching and yelling out 'sprint Mummy', they know I have no kick and stopping to argue with a volunteer about where to go hadn't really helped my stride. Within seconds the race was over and I felt curiously robbed. This had been no 10k, my time was really impressive - but for one reason and one reason only, it was a 5.2 mile race. I still had no 10k time.
There was a generally jubilant air as runners seemed euphoric with the day - for many they had run a huge personal best, as the 5k was half a mile short too. At the awards ceremony every age group was celebrated, kids up to 19 were in one year age groups, then there were 5 year brackets. There were an enormous number of medals for everyone. I had scooped the third prize award in my age group but as the crowd thinned and all the kids piled off with their medals it became increasingly embarrassing and I was hoping just to slink off. The kids had gone home to make a birthday brunch, but hubby insisted I get my medal with the picture of a walnut on it. Standing on my olympic size podium next to another runner I felt silly, we hadn't even celebrated the runners who had won the race. Instead of having overall winners and then age groups they had given virtually everyone a medal and yet none of us had run either a 5k or a 10k that day.
It later transpired the course was so short because the cheerleaders didn't go out far enough at the turn around point. Perhaps in their kindness the sweeties had wanted to save runners pain so set up camp a little closer than they should. Of course it wasn't the cheerleaders fault, they did a fabulous job of adding glitz and glam - but someone should have supervised and checked their placement.
