62 year old runs 16:25 or did he?

doubting Thomas wrote:

Do they even care that it's not accurately measured or certified?

The name of the event:

"JOHN KURTZ Not Quite a 5K"

I was at the race. It was thrown together last minute. I think it was just used as a filler between some bike race going on. There was no promotion for the race, just a few fliers past out. Although Jim Spivey was the because it was for his high school coach. Some people at finish were telling that guy he had 1 more lap but he either didn't understand or was to tired to care. The race was between 2.8 to 2.85

They also gave 150 to all age group winners, not including 500 for winner 400 for 2nd and 325 for 3rd overall. It was not put on by any running group or club. I don't think anyone that runs had anyhting to do with the set-up. It was used as a filler for some down time between bike races that where going on. There was a .9+ loop that all streets closed and they wanted to have same start finsh area to make everything easy. It was very low key just a few fliers to promote race. Was not put on to make money like most races.

look who ran:

6 Kyle Caffero Bensenville IL 19 23 16:07.1 5:39/M

I thought I would come through the mile in around 6:40-7:00 pace, as my pulse was in the 160 range. It was three laps, and I saw 5:33 when I came through on the first lap. I had not looked at the course map, so I thought we would run the 3rd lap with an extension somewhere to make up the minute on each lap.

The loop was small, so on the 3rd lap, I heard the announcer on the PA say, "Here come the leaders finishing!" I looked at my watch, and it was in the 13 minute range, and I knew I only had about 4 minutes to go. I increased the pace to the low 180's pulse, and ran 17:00. I believe that the course was 3 minutes short.

3rd race in 5 years. Great to see all the Fenton HS alumni there to support Coach Kurtz, who has coached at Fenton since 1969.

My adult running club really gave me the business before the Blackwell workout Saturday morning. "We are not sure if you are allowed to run with us now, after getting beat by a 62 year old runner!"

It would have been dead easy to miscount laps, as we ran by the finish line each time. You see others finishing, and think, maybe it is my turn?

Also, some of you older runners may remember at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seatle, that Suzy Favor-Hamilton said on TV after finishing the 1500 meters, that she thought she had another lap to go. And the 3k steeple in Paris they miscounted the laps and shot the gun with 2 laps to go.

FYI-For those x-U Chicago runners and club runners - ran 27:29 for the 4.25 mile "Loop" with a 3:09 last 800m on Saturday. Pretty pleased, but then remembered running w/ the UC athletes (Jerome, Tom Haxton, Patrick Sulivan, Toby, Oliver) 22:10 back at age 39. Oh well, great to be able to do the loop.

js

js

I don't remember Suzy Favor-Hamilton saying that (that she thought she had a lap to go when she finished the 1500), but I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one! I often lose track of laps - always in the 5000, more often than I'd like to admit in the 1500/Mile.

And I don't think I've ever finished a "2 mile warmup" on the track with any idea whatsoever how far I've actually run.

I also can't keep track of how many hill repeats I've run on Hill Repeat days, even though I only do 4-6. I have to make marks in the dirt with a stick in order to keep count.

Ditto for intervals on the track.

I could blame it on middle-age, but I think it goes more to the "right brain" element of running. When you're totally in the moment (especially in races), you're focused on how you feel, on how your body is responding, and on your competitors in the race. Who's keeping count of laps?

Okay, enough from me! Jeez, guess I spaced on how long I was blabbing on there!