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<span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This was a unique run as a result of a bet with a guy I work with who said he could run a 5:20 mile despite being a smoker. This first section was an email invitation to come watch the race and has some background on the bet, and the second part is the race recap:</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Invitation</span></b></span></span></span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Please come to witness a heroic running event tomorrow (Friday Dec 14) morning at 8:30am at Roger Bacon High School track as three athletes take a crack at the 400m event. The contestants are:</span></span></span>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">David – Susan’s husband, former Army Ranger, avid hockey player – but what kind of speed skillz has he got?!</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Charley – Lissy’s husband, a Florida Gator, the youngest of the 3, but plagued by back problems (probably from Lissy constantly on his case)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Jim – Our favorite sales guy who is strangely confident in his abilities – despite being a non-runner in his mid 40’s <span style="text-decoration:underline;">and</span> a smoker!</span></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">These athletes will be attempting to run 400m in 1:10-1:15. Should any of them succeed in breaking the 1:10 barrier, they will earn $25 apiece from myself, Lissy , and Susan. Running a time between 1:10 and 1:15 is a push (no payment either way), and</span></span></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">running slower than 1:15 results in them losing $75 apiece ($25 to each of us).</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This came as a result of Jim running his mouth after completing the Air Force Half Marathon, and – upon hearing of Jim’s boasting – Charley and David both saying “Heck, I could do that easily!”</span></span></span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I will bring the necessary waivers for the participants to sign, I’ll bring a video camera and we can use my watch to time the lads.</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This invitation is in no way endorsed by my company, nor will my company be held in any way liable for injury or death arising from this endeavour. All participants are of reasonably sound mind but questionable body and assume full responsibility for their own actions. Failure to show up is a forfeit and results in a loss of bet. This event will be held rain or shine – no softening of the time targets due to poor track conditions (ice, snow, sleet, etc).</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Post Race Recap:</span></b></span></span></span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’ve been to the Major League baseball playoffs, Wimbledon, the PGA Championship, and a Super Bowl – but never have I witnessed a more stirring athletic event than the race this morning!</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>THE RESULTS</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Gold Medalist – Charley</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With a blazing fast start, Charley ran like he stole something, opening a 30 yard gap on the field and going through 200 meters in 26 seconds. Somewhere around 250 meters in to the race however, an invisible elephant jumped onto his back and his legs were buckling under the weight. He held on to finish in 1:08, thereby making his time, proving his prediction right…but for someone who won $75 and backed up his words, Charley didn’t appear to be bragging much. A gracious and humble winner, or someone who realized had the race been an extra 20 yards, he might still be out there? You make the call…</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Silver Medal (sort of) – Jim</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Had this been a 200m race, Jim would be spending his winnings as I write this. Alas, it was 400m and Jim took a wrong turn just after the halfway point. Apparently the tracks Jim does his training on aren’t completely oval – he came around the turn and took a sharp U turn onto the grass and cut across the infield. The grass must have been long because it slowed him down to a walk and he crossed the line in 2:14. A noble effort, and Jim definitely wins the Good Sport Award for paying up right after the race – evidently, he thought the Good Sport Award is a pack of Marlboro Lights as he lit up as he was driving away from the track.</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Bronze Medal – VACATED</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">David – possibly the pre-race odds on favorite, being reasonably young, allegedly athletic, an avid hockey player, and a tough guy Army Ranger – WUSSED OUT. The shame of it! We’ll be expecting payment from David soon, and I’d like to see a spring version of this race where David cowboys up and actually makes it to the race.</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">As Jim’s pacer, I must say I was very impressed with his speed. He took off and showed he has the leg speed to make it – at least for 200m. Charley was amazingly fast and may have pulled Jim out too fast, causing the flameout. Charley had a bad case of jelly legs towards the end, but he held on and he has my utmost respect. Jim also has my respect as well (despite cutting across the infield) for showing up and having a go at it. David – I got NOTHING for you, and I’d like my $25 either in cash or in awesome souvenirs from Hawaii (enjoy your trip and don’t think of the shame you’re trying to leave behind).</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Might we see a rematch? Stay tuned…</span></span></span></span></span><br></span></span></span>
<ul><li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">David – Susan’s husband, former Army Ranger, avid hockey player – but what kind of speed skillz has he got?!</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Charley – Lissy’s husband, a Florida Gator, the youngest of the 3, but plagued by back problems (probably from Lissy constantly on his case)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Jim – Our favorite sales guy who is strangely confident in his abilities – despite being a non-runner in his mid 40’s <span style="text-decoration:underline;">and</span> a smoker!</span></span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">These athletes will be attempting to run 400m in 1:10-1:15. Should any of them succeed in breaking the 1:10 barrier, they will earn $25 apiece from myself, Lissy , and Susan. Running a time between 1:10 and 1:15 is a push (no payment either way), and</span></span></span> <span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">running slower than 1:15 results in them losing $75 apiece ($25 to each of us).</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This came as a result of Jim running his mouth after completing the Air Force Half Marathon, and – upon hearing of Jim’s boasting – Charley and David both saying “Heck, I could do that easily!”</span></span></span><br><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I will bring the necessary waivers for the participants to sign, I’ll bring a video camera and we can use my watch to time the lads.</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">This invitation is in no way endorsed by my company, nor will my company be held in any way liable for injury or death arising from this endeavour. All participants are of reasonably sound mind but questionable body and assume full responsibility for their own actions. Failure to show up is a forfeit and results in a loss of bet. This event will be held rain or shine – no softening of the time targets due to poor track conditions (ice, snow, sleet, etc).</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Post Race Recap:</span></b></span></span></span><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I’ve been to the Major League baseball playoffs, Wimbledon, the PGA Championship, and a Super Bowl – but never have I witnessed a more stirring athletic event than the race this morning!</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>THE RESULTS</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Gold Medalist – Charley</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">With a blazing fast start, Charley ran like he stole something, opening a 30 yard gap on the field and going through 200 meters in 26 seconds. Somewhere around 250 meters in to the race however, an invisible elephant jumped onto his back and his legs were buckling under the weight. He held on to finish in 1:08, thereby making his time, proving his prediction right…but for someone who won $75 and backed up his words, Charley didn’t appear to be bragging much. A gracious and humble winner, or someone who realized had the race been an extra 20 yards, he might still be out there? You make the call…</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Silver Medal (sort of) – Jim</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Had this been a 200m race, Jim would be spending his winnings as I write this. Alas, it was 400m and Jim took a wrong turn just after the halfway point. Apparently the tracks Jim does his training on aren’t completely oval – he came around the turn and took a sharp U turn onto the grass and cut across the infield. The grass must have been long because it slowed him down to a walk and he crossed the line in 2:14. A noble effort, and Jim definitely wins the Good Sport Award for paying up right after the race – evidently, he thought the Good Sport Award is a pack of Marlboro Lights as he lit up as he was driving away from the track.</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><b><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><b>Bronze Medal – VACATED</b></span></span></span></span></span></b><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">David – possibly the pre-race odds on favorite, being reasonably young, allegedly athletic, an avid hockey player, and a tough guy Army Ranger – WUSSED OUT. The shame of it! We’ll be expecting payment from David soon, and I’d like to see a spring version of this race where David cowboys up and actually makes it to the race.</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">As Jim’s pacer, I must say I was very impressed with his speed. He took off and showed he has the leg speed to make it – at least for 200m. Charley was amazingly fast and may have pulled Jim out too fast, causing the flameout. Charley had a bad case of jelly legs towards the end, but he held on and he has my utmost respect. Jim also has my respect as well (despite cutting across the infield) for showing up and having a go at it. David – I got NOTHING for you, and I’d like my $25 either in cash or in awesome souvenirs from Hawaii (enjoy your trip and don’t think of the shame you’re trying to leave behind).</span></span></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="color:#000080;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Might we see a rematch? Stay tuned…</span></span></span></span></span><br></span></span></span>
