Totally.  Frustrating.  I screwed up big time.  I could kick myself.  I was NOT a happy camper. 

I ran a road race today.  It was the first one I've run since January.  Same course.  So my goal was to beat my last time.  The weather here today was humid and much hotter than January so it was a good goal. 

I started off fine.   I was pretty close to goal time for the first mile.  At about a mile and a half, I wasn't feeling so good and chalked that up to the humidy and heavy breathing.  I was in the top 25% of the pack.  It was an out and back, after turning around a rotary.  I counted myself either 9th or 10 woman overall as I saw them coming in my direction after they made the turn ahead of me.  Not bad. 

In the last quarter mile I came upon a man ahead of me with headphones on.  I could smell his heavy cologne and it made my stomach turn.  I needed to pass him.  About that time another guy shot by me so all three of us headed for the finish.   I eventually passed the headphone guy but barely.  I could hear his heavy breathing.  He was trying to stay with me but I didn't feel like I wanted to push quite yet to expand the gap. 

As we head to the finish with about 150-200 yards to go I made my move and my quick finish opened up a good lead between me and the Aqua Velvet guy.  It was between me and the other guy now.  We both raced hard to the finish.  He beat me by a hair. I went under the big blown up arch and immediately put my hands on my knees drinking in great gasps of oxygen.  

That's where I made my mistake. 

All during the last mile I heard people cheering on a woman named Linda behind me.  "Go Linda."  I knew she was fairly close.   All around me were men.  All the other women were up ahead with most of the women well behind me except for whoever this Linda was. 

After I passed under the big blue arch a few people finishing behind me rushed by.   Evidently not only Mr. Cologne but also this Linda.   I didn't think much of it.  I finshed walking to where where the water tables were.  Someone took off my ankle transponder and I was done. 

I was fairly confident I placed in my age group because I knew I was most likely in the top 10 women overall.  In January I won so I was hoping for another top three finish.   I noticed a few of the ladies were younger than I, and at least two who were older.  My time was good.  I beat January's time by 11 seconds...or so I thought. 

When the results came in, as per usual, we checked them out and I gasped when I saw that I finished not only 4th, out of medal contention, but also that my time was about 20 seconds off which officially meant I didn't beat my last race in January afterall.  My husband got second place and was about a minute slower than last time.

I noticed third place was just a few seconds ahead of me.  How could that be?  There wasn't any lady in front of me.  Then I looked at her name.  It said Linda somebody.  Ohhhh they must have mixed us up somehow. 

So I went to the timing table where the guy explained there couldn't be a mistake because the transponders strapped to our ankles recorded the times accurately.  I pleaded my case to no advail. He checked the screen and told me I was right behind two guys.  Mr Cologne beat me?  How can that be?  The guy even came up to me twice after the race to congratulate me for beating him.  He said I inspired him.  Twice he said that!   Then I realized a few minutes later what must have happened. 

I stopped after going thru the arch but before the duct tape on the ground that must have recorded the transponders.  There was about 10 feet between the two.   While I thought I was done and catching my breath others had raced thru the arch and passed me their transponders picking up their time.  Mine recorded after I walked over it 20 seconds later.  I went back to the timing official and apologized for my error. 

How ignorant I was.  I should have checked to see EXACTLY where the finish was.  But then again I've never seen anything like this in all my years of racing.  I've even helped at races setting them up as a Cross Country Coach.   

Usually there's a mat you step on, when transponders are used, and it's directly under a similar arch or finish line...not passed it.  This was like a trick.  You think you're finished but you still have another 10 feet to go.

We discussed this afterwards.  They really should have put the arch on the OTHER side of the duct tape.  I bet many went thru the arch and then just walked over that tape not knowing. 

I immediately wished I could do a redo.  I was so angry at myself.  All that hard work and then to lose it at the line.  Figures the lady behind me just so happened to be in my age group.  With all the age groups represented what's the chances of that?   If I had 20/20 hindsight I would have run hard thru that arch and not stopped but we don't have that luxury do we? 

Of course now I'm looking around for redemption.  When's the next race?