I appreciate your ocmments, Er, but all I can say is that it all comes down to judgment. Our lives are inextricably linked to our deciisons, no matter how small they may appear at the time the decision is being made. I have mentioned that I found out about the refrigerator when it was already too late not to complicate my plans significantly.
Believe me, I ask myself the same question in regard to the wrong turn, and that is why I am rather sensitve about the issue, and that is why I was so upset when the race was over. Indeed, it was the only thing that could,mess me up at that point, and yet it happened. My wife sums it up by saying, "These things just happen to you sometimes." She is right. They happen to me, and to others, too.
As you have observed, I love being precise with things and I tend to be an intense person. I enjoy the precision in life. It is part of my religious belief and part of my overall perspective and approach to life. My wife also suggested that the wrong turn and race, overall, were meant to teach me something about the virtue of perseverance. She is right again, and I think this is the best point to be made about the race. If one could run for about 27 miles, and be under duress for the last five or so, then there is a lot one could learn about oneself along the way. This is why I have said I am glad I ran the race, even though I did not PR or get a sub-3.
I am disappointed by what happened, and would rather just "let it be." I have explained things exactly as I recall them, and do not want to keep gping over the matter. I want to take something positive from the experience. Thus, I do not mind discussing training, etc., but I am getting "fatigued" by the feeling of being "on trail" and by the recollection of the feeling I had when I knew I made a wrong turn and that it would cost me a shot at a PR.
All the best to everyone here...